1. Constantina Sotelo “Volandeira” Albariño (shown below!)
- Producer: Constantina Sotelo
- Region: Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain
- Varieties: 100% Albariño
- Alcohol: 12.5%
Meet Constantina Sotelo, a fearless female winemaker hailing from the Cambados region in Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain (just north of Porto, Portugal on Spain's far west coast!). Winemaking runs deep in Constantina's family, with generations passing down the art in Rías Baixas. Her vineyards boast remarkable age, with some vines dating back over 200 years!
While her focus remains on native Albariño, Constantina isn't one to be confined by the region's strict regulations. She boldly rejects artificial yeast, filtration, and mandatory sulfur levels (no, thank you!). Instead, her passion lies in crafting wines that are honest and pure, prioritizing integrity over fancy labels that might fetch higher prices. Rías Baixas, renowned for its top-notch Albariño production, couldn't be more proud of this trailblazing winemaker.
This Albariño is aromatic, elegant, flavorful and mineral-driven. It is fresh and crisp, bursting with juicy stone fruit, along with flavors of lemon rind, peach, apricot, melons, grapefruit and minerality. Serve chilled and pair with shrimp cocktail, grilled calamari salad, or cheeses like Manchego (Manchego's nutty and savory profile harmonizes beautifully with Albariño's crispness!) or aged Gouda (the caramel-like sweetness and crystalline texture of aged Gouda are a delightful match for the bright acidity and fruity nuances of Albariño!). Try it for yourself and catch yourself with a smile on your face.
2. Thomas & Jean-Noël Blard “Roussette de Savoie” (shown below!)
- Producer: Domaine Blard & Fils
- Region: Savoie, France
- Varieties: Altesse (aka Rousette)
- Alcohol: 12%
Introducing Domaine Blard & Fils, a family legacy of winemaking that spans an incredible five generations. Jean-Noel and his son Thomas Blard lovingly tend to their 9-hectare domaine, surrounded by majestic mountains that create a heavenly setting for their vineyards!
Each cuvée is a celebration of a single grape variety, carefully nurtured on specially selected soils. The vineyard work is a true labor of love, involving a team of 9 people at the peak of the season, ensuring the most sustainable and thoughtful cultivation practices.
The Blard family's journey in winemaking started with Thomas's great-grandfather Joseph, who dabbled in farming, including raising cows, growing grains, and cultivating grapes for the family's own enjoyment. His son, Pierre Blard, decided to specialize in viticulture after World War II, expanding the farm to 5 hectares and producing wine primarily for merchants.
We are so charmed by this wine. The Altesse grape, also known as Roussette, is a white wine grape variety primarily grown in the Savoie region of France. It is known for producing aromatic and elegant white wines that showcase the unique terroir of Savoie: steep slopes with coveted soil types, including limestone, clay, and schist. These diverse soil types contribute to Savoie’s character and complexity. You’ll experience delicate floral notes like white flowers and honeysuckle and hints of stone fruits like peach and apricot, as well as herbal and mineral undertones! Its vibrant acidity adds freshness and brightness to the palate, making it so satisfying, sip after sip. Serve chilled and pair with seafood and shellfish dishes like grilled fish, scallops, or shrimp. It will also pair well with lighter poultry dishes, salads, and Alpine cheeses!
3. Herrmann York Wine “Calandri Vineyards” Zinfandel 2022 (shown below!)
- Producer: Herrmann York Wine
- Region: Antelope Valley, California
- Varieties: 100% Zinfandel
- Alcohol: 12%
We are so excited to be working with Hermann York Wine for the first time. The passionate winemakers behind the label are good friends Dusty Herrmann, Garrett York and Taylor York.
They partner with small-scale farmers across Southern California, who they have built strong relationships with. Each vineyard's character and our region's essence shape their wines, making them truly special. They owe everything to these dedicated farmers without which these wines could never be made. They strive to celebrate the beauty of Southern California through every sip! Calandri Vineyards is 100% Zinfandel harvested from the vines planted around the turn of the 21st century in the deep sands of the Mojave Desert, composed of alluvial granite fans. Light and airy, this light rosé exudes notes of cedar, rhubarb, and lemonade (per the label itself!). You’ve never quite experienced anything quite like it. But that’s why we love it! Serve chilled and enjoy with an afternoon spread of Torres potato chips and Portuguese tinned fish! Label art by Italian watercolor artist @santaritya. Check out her beautiful work! Cheers! xo
Foradori Teroldego “Lezèr” IGT 2022
- Producer: Vigneti Delle Dolomiti
- Region: Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy
- Varieties: Teroldego (and other varieties)
- Alcohol: 12%
Elisabetta Foradori is a visionary winemaker from Italy known for her striking, elegant, and sincere wines. Her journey in winemaking started unexpectedly when she took over the family estate, but it soon turned into a true passion and vocation. Elisabetta's commitment to respectful and holistic winemaking led her to experiment with biodynamics, massale selection, and amphorae use. Her wines, like "Foradori Rosso" and "Granato," reflect the sensibilities of a younger generation with softening techniques and whole-cluster vinifications. As the estate evolves, Elisabetta's children, Emilio, Theo, and Myrtha, play an integral role, continuing the family's dedication to creating exceptional wines with a deep connection to the land. She is heralded in the industry as "the queen of Teroldego," reviving this indigenous variety that was once almost lost forever.
Lezèr is a rare but welcomed release by Foradori that’s more playful than her traditional releases. An amazing opportunity to taste her famous Teroldego without the expensive bottle price. Serve chilled and pair with earthy dishes like mushrooms whether in risottos or grilled as a side dish, charcuterie like prosciutto, salami, and chorizo, game birds like roasted duck, quail, Italian cuisine like osso buco, polenta, or eggplant parmigiana. And, of course, PIZZA! Salute!
