natty wines
Robert Sinskey “Abraxas”
the place
Los Carneros, California
the grapes
Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Gewürztraminer
the process
Abraxas is a Vin de Terroir from RSV’s organically farmed (with BD principles) Scintilla Sonoma Vineyard. A Vin de Terroir is a single vineyard wine made of multiple grape varieties - in this case Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Gewürztraminer. The cool, wind blown Scintilla Sonoma Vineyard is ideal for these aromatic white varieties. Each is planted adjacent to the other, picked individually at optimal ripeness, whole cluster pressed and cold fermented to preserve the freshness of the wine, and then blended to create the most elegant, balanced and delicious white wine of the vintage.
the price
Bottle: $37 | Glass: $13
Sfera Vino Rosso
the place
Piedmont, Italy
the grapes
Barbera (80%), Bonarda (10%) and Grignolino (10%)
the process
From the Alps to the Mediterranean, SFERA is a collaboration with small certified-organic farmers to bottle Liters in limited runs. Native yeast fermentation. Fermentation together; 10 days on the skins in stainless steel. No clarification or filtration
the price
Bottle: $25 | Glass: $10
Iruai “Shasta-Cascade”
the place
Trinity Lakes and Rogue Valley AVA, California
the grapes
30% Trousseau / 20% Mondeuse / 10% Blaufränkisch / 20% Pinot Noir / 20% Pinot Gris
the process
Born out of the mythical wine growing region I’ve taken to calling the Shasta-Cascade (from the Siskiyou Wilderness in the mountains of far Southern Oregon, down through the colliding cascades and Trinity Alps that give rise to the mysterious Mount Shasta). This wine is a love letter to our winery’s wild new home in Scott Valley, pioneering a sense of place that channels a vast mineral range, a savage elevation, and a generous beauty. Trousseau brings the blood orange tang, Monduese adds high toned black fruit and a peppery perfume, while the Blaufränkisch rounds things out with a bitter kick and savory structure.
Food Pairing: Grilled Duck Breast. | Movie Pairing: Jeremiah Johnson | Music Pairing: Click Here
the price
Bottle: $29 | Glass: $11
Gustavo Riffo “Llomas de Llahuen”
the place
Portazuelo, ltata, Chile
the grapes
100% Pais
the process
From an organically farmed single parcel (called Parmenia) of 200-year-old own-rooted vines planted on granitic clay loam soils. The densely planted and unirrigated plot is at 90 meters above sea level and faces north. The grapes are destemmed and macerate on the skins and ferment with native yeasts for 15 days in stainless steel tank before pressing into another stainless-steel tank where it rests for 10 months before bottling without fining, filtering, or S02 addition.
the price
BOTTLE: $24 | GLASS: $10