1. Hollow Wines “Man in a Gray Suit” Chillable Red
- Producer: Hollow Wines
- Region: Gilroy, California
- Varieties: Pinot Noir, Trousseau, Viognier
- Alcohol: 13%
Hollow Wines is a family owned and operated winery located in Gilroy, California. Alison, Quinn and Mina Hobbs are the proprietors behind Hollow Wines, both dedicated to sustainable winemaking. Quinn, the winemaker, is dedicated to his minimal intervention winemaking approach, expressing the grapes' true terroir while remaining 100% vegan and sustainable. He has a hands-on approach to winemaking, sorting all of his grapes by hand and only intervening when absolutely necessary. To Quinn, natural winemaking is about remaining true to the earth. This dedication takes time, money, sweat and tears. It is no easy task, vintage after vintage, especially when nature isn’t always easy to work with! They only source sustainable, organic, and dry farmed grapes in order to ensure minimal impact while producing their wines. “Man in a Gray Suit” is a blend of Pinot Noir, Trousseau and Viognier. It’s light and zippy with notes of cranberry, pomegranate, cherry and raspberry fruit. What a bouquet! Tingly on the palate, it’s bursting with flavor and a great pairing with a variety of food! This is a refreshing summer wine that you can enjoy day or night. Pair with BBQ, Chinese food takeout, or burgers and fries. Serve cold. And dive right in! Cheers. xo
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2. Domaine Fond Cyprès “Premier Jus” Chillable Red
- Producer: Domaine Fond Cyprès
- Region: Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
- Varieties: Carignan, Grenache
- Alcohol: 12.5%
Domaine Fond Cyprès is owned and operated by Laetitia Ourliac & Rodolphe Gianesini. They make soulful, small batch wines featuring a luscious lineup of Carignan, Syrah, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Muscat, Cinsault and blends thereof. The couple is intent on producing wines that express their sultry slice of the Languedoc — specifically, Escales, in the northernmost part of the Corbières AOC. Their domaine begins at the end of a road lined with Cypress trees and extends in either direction across 15 hectares of lush vegetation, a secret garden of olives, tomatoes, eggplants, wild herbs, and newly-born kittens! What a dream. To be honest, we love all of their wines. Premier Jus is a hit year after year. A light and savory chillable red that’s clean + dry on the palate. Made from a blend of Carignan and Grenache, this wine is easy to sip and love all night long. Serve chilled and enjoy with grilled chicken kebab, spaghetti marinara, Korean BBQ or veggie dogs. Cheers! xo
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3. Masia de la Roqua "El Truc" Blanc
- Producer: Masia de la Roqua
- Region: Tarragona, Spain
- Varieties: 100% Macabeo
- Alcohol: 10%
The goal of the Masia de la Roqua is to make wines that identify with the land and represent the special terroir of Massís del Garraf, with its particular soil, forest and vegetation, a distinct climatology and the influence of the Mediterranean sea. The Massís del Garraf region in Catalonia, Spain, is known for producing a variety of wines, including white wines made from the Macabeo grape variety, also known as Viura in some regions. Macabeo is a widely planted grape in Spain, often used in the production of white wines and Cava, a sparkling wine. This Macabeo is fresh and fruity with notes of green apple, pear, citrus fruits like lemon and lime, and floral hints. It’s crisp, refreshing, mineral-driven, herbal and zesty. Light-to-medium bodied, this wine is versatile and enhances the flavors of food. Serve chilled and pair with seafood dishes, salads, grilled chicken, and any dishes with creamy sauces. Salud!
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4. Cartoixa Vermell "Vila Abellus" Skin Contact
- Producer: Escabeces
- Region: Tarragona, Catalunya, Spain
- Varieties: 100% Xarel-lo Vermell (aka Cartoixà Vermell)
- Alcohol: 14%
Escabeces started life as a new project from René Barbier of Priorat and Monstant fame. He was approached by his acquaintance Oriol Pérez de Tudela, a farmer from Tarragona, to see if he’d be interested in making a wine from a small parcel of 65-year-old Cartoixà Vermell, the very rare Catalan grape also known as red Xarel.lo. The trick with this wine is that, while it presents as a rosé, it is made as if it were a red wine. The Cartoixà Vermell, however, never develops a tremendous amount of pigment, so even with a long skin maceration, the wine only achieves a coppery-pink color. This wine is light and satisfying! “Vila Abellus”, sourced from the local vineyards, is the newest wine in their lineup and we’re already in love! It’s a striking expression of a rare native grape of unmistakable Mediterranean origin. You’ll notice it’s light and low on fruit on the palate, but still brings the flavor. This makes it easier to drink sip after sip. A great introduction to someone who has never had skin contact wine and is ready to dip their toe in. Dry and savory with notes of orange peel and honey. Serve chilled and pair with cheesy potatoes, veggie lo mein, clam linguini, or a grilled cheese sandwich. Enjoy! You deserve it! x