1. Pray Tell Fruit Snacks (shown below!)
- Producer: Pray Tell
- Region: Oregon
- Variety: 25% Pinot Noir, 25% Syrah, 25% Merlot, 25% Malbec
- Alcohol: 13.5%
Tom Caruso has been immersed in the world of wine since childhood, growing up in South Philadelphia where he helped his grandfather make wine using a hand-crank destemmer and basket press. Though he initially pursued a career in writing, working as a book editor in New York, his passion for wine was rekindled through exploring restaurants and wine lists. This led him to work his first commercial harvest at an urban winery in Brooklyn and enroll in a sommelier program. Eventually, Tom decided to focus entirely on wine production, gaining experience on the West Coast and in Oregon under the guidance of esteemed winemaking mentors.
In 2017, Tom launched his own project, Pray Tell, which reflects his curiosity and desire to create wines that align with his values. He takes pride in managing every aspect of the process, from farming decisions to winemaking and even designing the labels.
A long-held dream to produce world-class wines in his hometown of Philadelphia became a reality after thirteen years, countless miles, and tons of grapes. Recently, Tom opened a new winery in the Olde Kensington neighborhood, in the same building where his family started their business over thirty years ago.
This wine is a blend of Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, and Malbec, sourced from select vineyards in Oregon and Washington State. It undergoes native yeast fermentation and is aged for five months in a combination of neutral oak and stainless steel before bottling.
2. Le Morette Bardolino Classico (shown below!)
- Producer: Le Morette
- Region: Veneto, Italy
- Varieties: Corvina, Molinara, Rondinella
- Alcohol: 12.5%
Founded by Gino Zenato in the early 1960s as a vine nursery, Le Morette quickly expanded into wine production as a way to test the quality of its vines. In 1981, Gino’s son Valerio joined the company, enhancing its reputation by producing wines with strong character, marked minerality, and a refined, elegant style that reflected the terroir. Now in its third generation, Fabio and Paolo Zenato continue the family tradition with passion, managing the business alongside Valerio and embracing new challenges and markets. Le Morette, a historic winery in the Lugana DOC appellation, is expanding its facilities to accommodate a new bottling plant, underscoring its commitment to innovation and the authentic expression of its territory.
This light-bodied wine features low tannins and delightful fruity notes with a fresh, youthful aroma. It offers a dry, savory taste that's well-balanced, with subtle hints of peppery spice. Versatile enough to pair with an entire meal, it complements flavorful white and red meats, particularly those with a milder, softer flavor.
3. Borgogno Langhe Nebbiolo (shown below!)
- Producer: Serio & Battista Borgogno
- Region: Piedmont, Italy
- Varieties: 100% Nebbiolo
- Alcohol: 13.5%
Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno is a historic winery located in the prestigious Cannubi vineyard in Piedmont, Italy. Founded in 1897 by Francesco Borgogno, it was the first and only winery on the Cannubi hill at the time. Cannubi is highly regarded in the wine world, often compared to Burgundy's Grand Cru vineyards, producing Barolo wines known for their elegance, lifted floral aromatics, and an approachable yet age-worthy structure. Unlike many Barolos, which are known for their power, Cannubi Barolos are distinctive for their balance and early drinkability, offering pleasure even in their youth.
The estate, which has been in the Borgogno family for generations, is now led by fourth-generation sisters Anna and Paola Borgogno, with their daughters Emanuela and Federica taking over management.
This Nebbiolo is macerated and fermented for 10-12 days in traditional wooden 'tini,' which helps extract flavor and tannins from the grapes. After fermentation, the wine is aged in large Slavonian oak barrels for one year. This aging process allows the wine to develop its structure and complexity. Before being released, the wine undergoes an additional six months of aging in the bottle to ensure its balance and refinement. Salute!
4. Tensley Wine Company Santa Barbara County Syrah Lite (shown below!)
- Producer: Tensley Wine
- Region: Santa Barbara, CA
- Varieties: 100% Syrah
- Alcohol: 13%
In 1998, Joey Tensley founded Tensley Wines with a mission to create a Syrah-driven brand that highlights the unique vineyards of Santa Barbara County. Starting with just 100 cases, Tensley Wines has grown into a 5,000-case operation, earning significant accolades, including spots on Wine Spectator’s Top 100, 99 points from Robert Parker, and the title of “Top Syrah in America Over $20” from Food & Wine Magazine.
Joey’s passion for winemaking was sparked at age twelve during a soccer trip to France, where he was captivated by the chill and aroma of the wine caves. This experience inspired him to pursue winemaking, leading him to start his career as a “cellar rat” at Fess Parker Winery in 1993. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the assistant winemaker at Babcock Vineyards after just three years. It was here that Joey developed a deep appreciation for the importance of the vineyard and the unique growing conditions of Santa Barbara County, where an east-west mountain range creates diverse microclimates perfect for Syrah.
In 1998, Joey moved on to Beckmen Vineyards, where he began producing his own label, focusing exclusively on Rhône varietals from Santa Barbara County. Tensley Wines gained early attention with its 2001 Syrahs, which were highly praised by critics like Matt Kramer and Robert Parker.
This "lite" Syrah is organically farmed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel. Aged in neutral barrels for six months, it produces a lithe, Vin de Pays-style wine. The wine offers dark, juicy fruit flavors like currant, blackberry, and plum, with a lively acidity that provides structure. Subtle hints of violet and baking spice add depth to this medium-bodied Syrah, making it refreshing, versatile, and incredibly easy to drink. Sustainably grown and vegan.