Club Corner
Rosé Club October 2026
Clos Cibonne Cuvée Tradition 2024 First off, our bad for intimating, in last month’s notes, that the September’s selection would be the final bottling of the season. October, frequently the warmest month of the year here in SF, clearly deserves a dedicated shade of pink all its own. So, by way of apologizing for our error (and for it technically being November now), we have a real treat for you in this, the actual final installment of 2026. Back in May 2025, we featured two rosés composed in part of the rare Provencal varietal Tibouren. Here’s what we said about it then: “A thin-skinned black grape thought to have originated in Mesopotamia, Tibouren is distinguished by its intensely aromatic nose and herbal palate (a combination often called ‘garrigue’ in wine, after the Mediterranean vegetation, and denoting flavors of bay leaf, thyme, rosemary and sage), and various difficulties associated with its cultivation. Tibouren tends to produce irregular yields and is highly susceptible to coulure or “shatter,” which is when the grape fails to develop after flowering due to the plant’s metabolic response to extreme or unseasonal weather conditions. The mild and consistent climate along the Mediterranean coast thus provides its most propitious conditions, but even here, we’re talking about truly miniscule quantities.” Both of those bottles contained no more than 15% Tibouren however, the majority being made up of familiar Rhone varietals like Grenache and Mourvedre. What we have here instead is the only Tibouren-dominant rosé in existence as far as we know: Clos Cibonne’s iconic, one-of-a-kind flagship Cuvée Tradition. Legendary amongst wine collectors for its texture, substance, and ability to age gracefully for a decade or more, it is a limited wine made exclusively with estate-grown, organic Tibouren grapes, and a bit of grenache to meet Côtes de Provence blending guidelines. The key to its singularity is the fact that the wine is aged in century-old foudres under a veil of flor, a technique more commonly associated with the Jura or Jerez. The result is an utterly unique, complex, and transportive experience, redolent of the stunning Mediterranean land and sea scapes from which it hails. Indeed, if forced to drink only one rosé for the rest of our lives, we very well might choose this one - and not even lament our cruel fate all that much. See you in 2027 and… Think Pink! The PlumpJack Wine & Spirits Team Clos Cibbone Cuvee Tradition 2024 Region/Country of Origin: Cotes de Provence, France About the Winemaking: The vineyard, one of 18 Crus Classés of Côtes de Provence, consists of traditional goblet trained vines located close to the Mediterranean Sea in the foothills of the Maures mountains, overlooking Toulon’s harbor. The microclimate of Clos Cibonne is especially important to the uniqueness of the wines, as the proximity of the ocean brings much needed cool air to the vineyards in the summer months. Their location at the foot of the Maures mountains ensures good east-west ventilation, which is ideal for the health and balance of the vineyard. After an early morning manual harvest, the grapes are destemmed and directly pressed. The must goes into temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, which are cooled to slow the fermentation process. After fermentation with native yeasts, the wine is racked into 120+ year-old foudres, where it ages biologically on the fine lees for one year sous-voile, under a thin veil of fleurette. Tasting Notes: “The 2024 Rosé Cuvée Tradition is a wild, exotic wine. Aged sous-voile in foudre for one year, this blend of 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache unleashes a heady array of beeswax, stewed peach, chamomile, toasted bread and wild herbs. It’s a waxy, enveloping, utterly distinctive Rosé that is very much on the cerebral side, and also pushing the limits of VA. Quite honestly, the Tradition is unlike anything else I’ve ever tasted. Readers who haven’t tasted these wines before owe it to themselves to do so.” (BN) (Vinous.) Winemaker: Olivier Deforges Price per bottle /varietal $46.99 100% Tibouren Suggested Food Pairing: Grilled branzino with olive oil and lemon, Niçoise salad, Scallops, Goat cheese, Bouillabaisse
Learn more
Rosé Club September 2026
Robert Sinskey Vin Gris of Pinot Noir As much more eloquent voices than ours have often noted, the arrival of Fall is always at least a little bittersweet. Sure you’ve got changing foliage, root vegetables, maybe a new cardigan, to keep things interesting. But cooler weather and longer nights can’t help but furrow the collective brow with a layer of frost. It’s an adjustment at the least - and we feel the chill especially acutely here in Rosé club, as it’s also the time of year when folks tend to abjure all tipples pink in favor of the murkier libations. Which makes no sense when you think about it. After all, what better way to get evening's empire to go pound sand (if only temporarily) than with a nice bottle of blush? And so we are toasting the beginning of hibernation season with one of the best: Robert Sinskey’s iconic Vin Gris of Pinot Noir. The great Carneros vigneron’s been making this bottling for thirty five years, which explains why the word ‘rosé’ itself appears nowhere in the title. Back then, as the winemaker himself recalls, “the category had been tainted by overly sweet pink confections that sold well in grocery and liquor stores while fine dining restaurants treated any pink wine as if it were vampire repellant.” Hence, Vin Gris of Pinot Noir. Talk about the Dark Ages though, amiright? But much like garlic, rosé has come such a long way since then, now celebrated rather than tolerated, in this more enlightened epoch, for its unabashed dashes of flavor and light-and-life preserving qualities. You can pair this bottling in particular with all kinds of cuisine - French brasserie fare, BBQ, fish tacos, Pad Thai, Indian curries, picnic sandwiches, pimento cheese and crackers, or shrimp and grits (see recipe from winemaker below) - in whatever weather. And it still works as vampire repellant too, keeping all seasonal bats at bay whilst in the glass. As Sinkey concludes, “with this Vin Gris, it’s always rose season.” Which makes it the perfect selection with which to wrap up our club year. See you in the spring and…. Think Pink! The PlumpJack Wine & Spirits Team Robert Sinskey Vin Gris of Pinot Noir 2023 Region/Country of Origin: Carneros, California About the Winemaking: Organically farmed Carneros vineyards produce top quality Pinot Noir grapes that were night harvested and brought to the cellar, naturally chilled and dew kissed, where they were whole-cluster pressed to separate the juice from the skins to capture the pure, delicate essence of the Pinot Noir grape. The juice was then cold fermented to create a purely exciting Vin Gris of Pinot Noir. Regeneratively farmed since before there was a name for it. 600 metric tons of carbon sequestered annually. 100% Pinot Noir from Los Carneros. Whole-cluster pressed, never saignée. Free run - no skin, seed or stem contact during fermentation Pure, never blended for color. Produced in small batches since 1991 Tasting Notes: The wine is a pure, vibrant, and well crafted beverage with flavors and aromas of pear, jasmine, red berries and white peach contrasted with alluring notes of juicy winter citrus-like blood orange and mandarin for a crisp and clean impression. Floral notes of pear and citrus blossom add to the ethereal nature of the wine. A sip unfurls an array of delicious, mouthwatering fruit, flower and soft herb flavors that open up limitless food pairing possibilities while enjoying each sip...after sip...after sip...! Winemaker: Robert Sinskey Price per bottle / Price per case: $40.99/$442.70 Suggested Food Pairing: See suggestions above and recipe below. SINSKEY SHRIMP & GRITS (serves 4) Ingredients 4-5 cups water Kosher salt 4 – 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 1 cup stone-ground grits, Jimmy Red variety if possible 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 4 strips thick cut bacon, sliced horizontally into ¼ inch pieces 24 large 16/20 peeled and deveined shrimp, sliced in half along vein line ½ cup water or simple shrimp stock Freshly ground black pepper 3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions for garnish Instructions 1. Bring 4 cups of water, 1 ½ teaspoons of salt and 3 tablespoons of butter to a rapid boil in a heavy saucepan (you can start with 4 cups of water and add a 5th as needed while cooking). 2. Whisk in grits and stir well until water boils again. 3. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and continue cooking for 35-40 minutes, stirring often, adding water if needed. 4. When the grits are thick and grain is tender, season to taste with salt and add additional butter if you like richer and creamier grits. Cover and set aside off heat. 5. While the grits are cooking, fry the bacon over medium heat in a nonstick or cast iron skillet until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to set aside on a paper towel lined plate. 6. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the skillet. Place skillet over medium high heat. 7. Quickly pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper and add to the hot skillet. Cook until just cooked and pink about 1 minute per side. 8. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and ½ cup of shrimp stock and stir until melted and liquid is hot. Reserve in the pan. 9. Remove the cover from the reserved grits. If they have stiffened, add a little hot water and stir to loosen. Stir in the cheese until melted. Season to taste with salt. Add a little more butter if desired. 10. Spoon the grits into a serving bowl or individual bowls. Spoon the shrimp over. Spoon the skillet juices over the top. Sprinkle with the bacon and sliced green onions. Serve immediately. SIMPLE SHRIMP STOCK (Yield: 1 cup) 1 small shallot, peeled and thinly sliced 1 cup dry white wine, unoaked Shrimp shells from 24 shrimp 1. Add the shallot, white wine and shrimp shells to a small pot with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to low and cook until liquid is reduced to 1 cup. 2. Press through a strainer to get all of the juices from the shell. Use immediately or refrigerate.
Learn more
Rosé Club August 2026
A Tale of Two Rosés This month we’re taking rosé in two very different directions. From Piemonte in northern Italy, Ecole Piemonte D.O.C. Rosato brings the bright, easygoing side of pink wine: fresh, dry, lively, and bottled in a generous one-liter format made for sharing. Then we travel to France’s Southern Rhône for Château de Trinquevedel Tavel 2024, a deeper, more structured expression of rosé from an appellation celebrated for serious, food-friendly pink wines. Two countries, two personalities, and a great reminder that rosé is a style of wine - not a single style of wine. Think Pink! The PlumpJack Wine & Spirits Team ERCOLE PIEMONTE D.O.C. ROSATO Region/Country of Origin: Piemonte, Italy About the Winery: Ercole, whose English translation is Hercules, is made possible by a generations-old cooperative of local growers in the Monferrato area. The cooperative behind Ercole works predominantly with old vines ranging from 30 to 50 years old. All participating growers adhere to the European Union rule for sustainable farming known as lotta integrata, or lutte raisonnée, though many are now certified organic. None of these growers use systemic treatments or chemicals, employing only minimal copper and sulfur. Both vinification and bottling are certified vegan. About the Winemaking: With the aromatic draw of fresh-cut watermelon, this rosato screams summertime in all its resplendent fun. Two stalwart grapes of Monferrato, Barbera and Dolcetto, form this lively rosato. Following a soft pressing of the grapes, the juice is left in contact with the skins for only a few hours, lending the wine its light pink hue. 65% Barbera 35% Dolcetto. Tasting Notes: Fresh and lively, with bright red-fruit character and an easy, dry finish. Light on its feet and wonderfully versatile, this is the bottle to chill down for an aperitivo, picnic, or relaxed summer dinner. Winemaker: Cooperative Price per bottle / Price per case: $20.99/$226.70 Suggested Food Pairing: Antipasti, prosciutto and melon, Margherita pizza, grilled vegetables, or tomato and burrata. CHÂTEAU DE TRINQUEVEDEL 2024 TAVEL ROSÉ Region/Country of Origin: Tavel, Southern Rhône, France About the Winery: Château Trinquevedel, with its elegant 18th-century bastide house, is one of Tavel’s most prestigious historic estates. Acquired in 1936 by Eugène Demoulin, it is now in the hands of his great-grandson, Guillaume Demoulin. Accompanied by his wife Céline , he manages the family estate with passion and tradition, revealing the authenticity of their terroir in their wines. About the Winemaking: 60% Grenache, 13% Clairette, 13% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 3% Mourvèdre, 1% Bourboulenc. From vines with an average age of 32 years old. The wine is aged in enamel-lined, stainless steel curves for 6 to 9 months. Tasting Notes: Deeply colored and more vinous than a typical pale rosé, with wild strawberry, raspberry, tart red-fruit notes, and a touch of spice. The palate is full and fleshy yet fresh, with enough structure to carry an entire meal Winemaker: Guillaume Demoulin Price per bottle / Price per case: $22.99/$248.30 Suggested Food Pairing: Grilled fish, charcuterie, roast chicken, spicy dishes, or Provençal cuisine.
Learn more
July 2026 Rosé Club
Onward with Outward Outward Wines is the small-lot Central Coast project of Ryan Pace and Natalie Siddique, who met through rock climbing and started the label in 2016 with two barrels of Syrah from the Pace family's backyard vineyard in Santa Ynez. Ryan comes from a California winemaking family and spent years as a winemaker in the Santa Maria Valley; Natalie built and sold her own business before turning to wine full time. Since 2020 the two have run their own production space in Grover Beach, farming a handful of estate acres and sourcing the rest from organic and biodynamic growers up and down the Central Coast. We like their 2025 Grenache Rose so much we’re featuring as a stand alone bottle for July. Think Pink! Plumpjack Wine & Spirits Team OUTWARD 2025 Grenache Rosé, Two Wolves Vineyard Region/Country of Origin: Santa Ynez Valley, California About the Winemaking: Grenache from the Two Wolves Vineyard was picked early for freshness, whole-cluster pressed, and fermented with native yeast in neutral vessels. The wine was left unfined and unfiltered, in keeping with Outward's low-intervention approach across their whole range. Tasting Notes: Pale copper-pink in the glass. Bright red currant, watermelon rind and a touch of white peach on the nose, with a saline, savory edge underneath. The palate is dry and taut, with crisp acidity, a faint textural grip from being unfiltered, and a clean, mineral finish. Winemakers: Ryan Pace & Natalie Siddique Cases Produced: 168 Suggested Food Pairing: Grilled shrimp skewers, niçoise salad, or a soft-ripened goat cheese with honey.
Learn more
June 2026 Rosé Club
Around The World in A Rosé Apologies once again for the tardiness here. Perhaps you’ve been distracted by the World Cup lately? Well, the original idea this month was to tailgate the tournament’s ubiquity and excitement via one official World Cup rosé (made in California) and another from France, one of the favorites to win it all this year. For reasons not interesting enough to detail, this didn’t work out. But that’s just as well because 1) said logo’ed bottle of blush was actually emblazoned with FIFA’s considerably less popular imprimatur and, 2) we have instead two absolute ringers ready to sub in that together constitute an alternative Cup (more of a glass maybe) from which to quaff in victory - cause everybody wins here. First, an Italian classic from Veneto that can rep the national side in lieu of its scandalous failure to qualify for the last three Cup, (despite 4 prior wins, most recently in 2006.) And second, one of this writer’s all time favorite shades of pink, the proverbial summer in a bottle , coming to us from the Basque country. And while that particular region does not have an official World Cup presence either, its native sons are well represented on the pitch, if you know where to look. Go Team Pink! The PlumpJack Wine Team Scaia Rosato Region/Country of Origin: Veneto, Italy About the Winery: In the 1980s, four brothers—Armando, Tiziano, Paolo, and Massimo Castagnedi—began making their first moves toward opening their own winery. They had inherited 50 acres of vineyards in the eastern section of Valpolicella from their father, and in 1989 they purchased 75 more acres in the same general area, releasing their first vintage under the Tenuta Sant'Antonio label in 1995. Their goal was always to produce high-quality, traditional wines of the region, but in 2006 they began a new project under the label Scaia to further explore the potential of the traditional varieties they were growing. In naming this new brand Scaia, they referenced the type of soil they had in their vineyards—a chalky, granular soil that broke apart easily. Scaia is a word in Veronese dialect for crumbs, like little pieces of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese that fall off a large block, which the soil resembles. Scaia soil imparts a higher acidity and bolder cherry fruit character to the wines. About the Winemaking: 100% Rondinella from 10-15 year old vines planted at 200-300 meters elevation on primarily fossil-rich limestone. Whole-cluster harvesting with brief cold maceration. Aged for 3 months in stainless steel and then 1 month in bottle before release. Practicing Vegan. Tasting Notes: Color: pale pink. Aroma: floral aroma of roses, raspberries, fruity.Flavor: well balanced, tangy and fresh. Winemaker: Paolo Castagnedi Price per bottle / Price per case: $16.99/183.50 Suggested Food Pairing: First courses and risottos, white meats and poultry in general, toasted polenta with herrings, fresh cheeses and fish. Ameztoi Rubentis Rosato 2024 Region/Country of Origin: Getario, Basque Country, Iberian Peninsula About the Winery: Ameztoi is a renowned producer in Getariako Txakolina, respected for producing both traditional wines in large barrels and as an innovator for their rosé txakolina and méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines. Ameztoi owns twenty hectares of estate vineyards located in the most privileged position in the region, facing the Bay of Biscay. High in the vineyards, planted on the dramatic seaside cliffs of the ancient fishing village of Getaria, one can see the town of San Sebastian, which lies just twenty minutes away along a serpentine highway Ignacio Ameztoi is the fifth generation of his family to carry on the tradition of making txakolina in the province of Getaria, and he has played a key role in the advancement of the region in the last decade. His intuitive and fearless pursuit of innovation has been a driving force in the txakolina discipline. About the Winemaking: The iconic Rubentis rosé is a field blend of hondarrabi zuri and hondarrabi beltza varieties, which are co-fermented for three weeks. The backbone of the blend comes from a hondarrabi beltza vineyard planted in 1840, preserved by the Ameztoi family for generations. After handpicking, hondarrabi zuri and hondarrabi beltza grapes are combined for destemming; the white and red grapes are worked together, not separately. After direct pressing, fermentation with indigenous yeast occurs in stainless steel at 15°C for 20 days. Towards the end of alcoholic fermentation, the tanks are closed to preserve the naturally occurring carbonation, which is the preferred style of Getaria. The tanks are then kept chilled to near freezing before bottling, which preserves the wine’s delicate, effervescent character and signature mousse. These attributes are unattainable through shortcuts such as force-carbonation, which Ameztoi has never employed. Tasting Notes: Lightly effervescent in that inimitable Txokolina style, the Ameztoi rose features racy notes of wild strawberry, watermelon, pomegranate and citrus, centered around a tart, mouthwatering acidity and framed by a saline current redolent of the nearby Atlantic. Winemaker: Ignacio Ameztoi Price per bottle / Price per case: $27.99/302.30 Suggested Food Pairing: Drink with high acid dishes to enhance the wine's fruit and liveliness; salty dishes will help enhance the wine’s body and weight on the palate.
Learn more
May Rosé Club: Return of Rosé Club
It’s been a long time, we shouldn’t have left you/without a strong wine to fête to. It’s May already (almost June actually) and apologies are in order. First, to Eric B & Rakim, for the above travesty of a classic - and more importantly to you, member, for this club’s winterlong hibernation. But with the solstice fast approaching, and Rosé season in full swing, we’re back with two new shades of summer to sample while you get some (theoretical in SF sometimes, tbh) sun. One is a local gem from a veteran winemaker’s passion project; the other a scarlet variant of the Portuguese Vinho Verde style: light, dry, low ABV, with a hint of effervescence. Both pair well with whatever weather, and we’ve got more coming through September. Think Pink, Fillmore Wine Team Chasing Ether Rose 3.1/1 2025 Region/Country of Origin: Sonoma, California About the Winery: Chasing Ether is a new project from a man that has been quietly making top shelf Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for one of Napa's most historic wineries for over 2 decades, but is now producing wines from some amazing sites across California and showcasing some of the state's hidden treasures. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Jon Berlin later moved to Cape Town for the surfing, before falling into wine at the turn of the century. After working his first harvest in the Western Cape, Jon quickly bounced around both hemispheres, working multiple harvests a year across South Africa, Australia, Napa, Sonoma Coast, and New Zealand. It was in New Zealand, where he earned a degree in winemaking and met his future wife Lily Oliver, daughter of Reginald Oliver, the owner/winemaker at El Molino. The plan had been to make wine in South Africa, but when Lily’s father passed away in 2005 the two of them moved back to Napa to take over the winery. While Jon would do some consulting winemaking on the side, for the next 20 years the focus would be on El Molino. Lily and Jon worked side by side, crafting expressive and distinctly Californian Pinot and Chardonnay from the Star Vineyard in Rutherford while also running the day-to-day operations. After leaving El Molino in 2024 Jon decided to focus all his energy on a new project with the goal of making affordable wines that were approachable out of the gate About the Winemaking: 100-year-old Mourvèdre and Carignan were harvested together at 21 and 19 Brix, respectively. Combined and whole cluster pressed to tank with overnight settling before being racked for cold fermentation in tank. The cold fermentation lasted 35 days before dryness was achieved. The wine was sulphured, racked with fine lees to tank, and kept cool for 3 months. The 110-year-old Palomino was harvested, and whole-cluster pressed to neutral French Burgundy barrels for fermentation. The wine stayed on primary lees until February, when one barrel was racked and blended with the Mourvèdre/Carignan blend in tank before being bottled on February 18th, 2026. 200 cases produced. Alcohol, 13%. Vegan-friendly. Tasting Notes: Lifted aromatics of freshly cut watermelon, guava, grapefruit pith, candied orange rind, and tarragon. Complex and refreshingly crisp with a lovely smooth viscosity and cut with a lasting impression on the finish. Winemaker: Jon Berlin Price per bottle / Price per case: $24.99 btl/ $294.37 cs Suggested Food Pairing: Fresh seafood such as citrus cured salmon, white gazpacho, and Toulouse sausage. Quinta da Lixa Anjos Rose Vinho Verde 2024 Region/Country of Origin: About the Winery: Owned and operated by the Meireles family from the town of Vila da Lixa since the mid-1980s, Quinta da Lixa began its life as a cellar-door vendor of what the locals lovingly called o tal vinho da Lixa – ‘that Lixa wine’. The family had great foresight in acquiring estate vineyard land early on and over the ensuing decades, ensuring an increasingly consistent source of high-quality and relatively low-cost estate-grown grapes. The 1990s saw the construction of a new winery devoted to transitioning the family business from bulk local-market sales to estate bottling. Another piece of the puzzle was completed in the early 2000s with the hiring of Carlos Teixeira, a local who had left town to make his name as one of Portugal’s most respected oenologists. He’s still at the helm of this beloved winery today, producing textbook Vinhos Verdes at an unimpeachable level of quality for the very modest price point. About the Winemaking: All wines are estate bottled and sustainably farmed using organic principles. Slightly trapped CO2 compliments the injection of clean CO2 at bottling, to make a vivacious, intentionally fresh and mildly spritzy wine. Tasting Notes: The floral exuberance of the aroma leads to a lively, refreshing palate with ripe berry and currant flavors. The slightly red Espadeiro grape (60%) brings strawberry, currant and cranberry nuances, blended with the heartier Touriga Nacional (40%) to make a complex and serious style of Vinho Verde Rose. Winemaker: Carlos Teixeira Price per bottle / Price per case: $13.99 btl / $165.32 cs Suggested Food Pairing: Fried green tomatoes, grilled seafood, ceviche, citrus salad
Learn more
Septmeber 2025 Rosé Club
A DARKER SHADE OF PINK While the wines this month share a few commonalities—both are from the southern half of France and are farmed organically—the striking feature we will focus on is color. While rosé can be macerated, which is one of the earliest steps in winemaking, where the grapes are crushed and the juice is left to sit on the skins and solids to extract color, tannins, and flavor compounds, it is typically done for as little as two hours. The juice is then quickly removed from the skins to avoid excessive color or pressed without maceration at all to create lighter-colored wines. This month, we will be examining the other side of rosé: wines with deeper color and different techniques, such as extended maceration and the saignée method. Rasteau is a tiny village in the Southern Rhône that, like much of this part of France, traces its winemaking history back to the Romans, with evidence of vineyards as early as 30 BC. The first documented evidence of winemaking dates to the 11th century. Under the supervision of the church and the bishops of Vaison-la-Romaine, the region's winemaking developed further from the end of the 13th century onward. Historically known for its Vin Doux Naturels, fortified wines made from Grenache, Rasteau has, in recent decades, become known for its dry red wines. Irouléguy is nestled in the heart of French Basque Country beneath the Pyrenees mountains and boasts 2,000 years of winemaking history. During the Middle Ages, monks made wine for pilgrims traveling to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. This tiny appellation is ideal for growing grapes, with its sunny maritime influence tempered by the mountain range, providing warm, dry summers. While the local Tannat and Cabernet Franc produce big, tannic reds, the rosé is similar to those of nearby Navarra, with its fruity flavors and perfumed nose. Think Pink, Justin Malesheetz PlumpJack Fillmore Wine Buyer 2024 Coteaux de Travers ZouZou Cotes du Rhone Rosé Region/Country of Origin: Rasteau, FR About the Winery: Founded in 1920 in the commune of Rasteau in the heart of the Cotes du Rhone, Coteaux de Travers initially sold their grapes and didn’t bottle their own wine until 1976. In 1984, Robert took over the estate from his father and, with a focus on more sustainable farming, began elevating the quality of the wines. Since 2010, the estate has been certified organic and farmed biodynamically. Roberts' children, Marine and Paul, began working on the estate in 2016. With her doctorate in organic chemistry, Marine focuses primarily on winemaking while her brother Paul, with a degree in industrial engineering and two years of experience working in Australia, focuses primarily on work in the vineyard. About the Winemaking: A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Clairette that utilizes the saignée method in which a portion of fermenting wine destined to be made into red wine is bled off after a shorter period and finishes its fermentation separately, creating a darker, bolder rose. The wine is fermented at low temperatures and aged for three months in stainless steel vats. Tasting Notes: A pale rose color in the glass with aromas of fresh raspberry, red cherry, strawberry, and a fresh herbaceous character. On the palate, it shows bright acidity matched with bright red berry flavors and a dry finish. Winemaker: Marine Charavin Price per bottle / Price per case: $15.99 btl/ $172.69 cs Suggested Food Pairing: Great as an aperitif or with hard cheeses, grilled oysters, chicken in cream sauce with mushrooms. 2024 Domaine Ilarria Irouléguy Rosé Region/Country of Origin: Irouléguy AOC, FR About the Winery: Domaine Ilarria is a multi-generational estate located firmly in French Basque Country, and until 1990 was one of only two independent producers in a region largely run by the local cooperative. Currently run by Peio Espil, who took over the domain in 1990, the vineyards have been farmed without the use of synthetic chemical sprays and have been certified organic since 2008, with a focus on biodiversity in the vineyards and overall health of the soil being his number one concern. About the Winemaking: A blend of 60% Tannat and 40% Cabernet Franc from certified organic vineyards that are hand harvested and destemmed before undergoing a longer maceration for rose (15-18 hours) to extract color and aromatic compounds. The wine is then pressed and undergoes primary and malolactic fermentation with ambient yeast and aged on the lees in stainless steel vats. Tasting Notes: Pale crimson with a nose of mineral earthiness and floral notes; dried rose, blood orange, cranberry, pomegranate, and dried citrus peel. Dry and tart on the palate, with vivid acidity and fresh cranberry and citrus flavors with a long, almost flinty finish. Winemaker: Peio Espil Price per bottle / Price per case: $27.99 btl/ $302.29 cs Suggested Food Pairing: Carpaccio, roasted root vegetables, grilled chicken.
Learn moreAugust Rosé of the Month Club
OFF THE BEATEN PATH While most are familiar with rosé from the Provence region of France, we know rosés are produced all over the world in a range of styles from fuller-bodied, almost light reds, to pale vin gris that drink more like white wines. This month we have a pair of rosés from regions you don’t see too often that show the range of what rosé can be. Vibrant pink and full of flavor, these rosés are sure to please your palate! The first selection is from the Marche region of Italy, which has a long but sometimes overlooked wine history. Starting with the Picenes, an Italic tribe inhabiting the Marche, vines were cultivated as early as the 9th century BCE. Wine growing flourished under Roman rule, and after the fall of Rome, monasteries preserved winemaking traditions. Benedictine and Cistercian monks cultivated vineyards, often linked to local abbeys and hill towns. In the Renaissance era, the Marche remained somewhat rural and isolated compared to Tuscany or Piedmont, so wines were largely consumed locally rather than achieving widespread fame. Unfortunately, Phylloxera devastated Marche’s vineyards in the late 19th century, but replanting occurred slowly, with many focusing on quantity over quality. Today, Marche balances small artisanal estates with cooperatives, producing a mix of traditional and modern styles. Sustainability and organic viticulture are increasingly important. The Marche region is located on the other side of the Apennine Mountains from Tuscany and Umbria, and is lined with sandy beaches along the Adriatic Sea facing Croatia. The combination of rolling hills and a cooling ocean breeze contributes to the structure of the bright but balanced whites the region is known for. The reds from the region are largely Sangiovese, the local Lacrima grape, and Montepulciano. However, this Marche rosé features Grenache, which was planted as part of an expansion in 2003 by the current winery owners, Paolo and Elisetta Capriotti, to complement the winery's traditional local varieties. Our second rosé is coming all the way from Armenia, which, as a wine region, is matched only by Georgia in its history, with the oldest facilities uncovered in the region dating back over 6100 years. It has been known since antiquity for the quality of its goods (like wine, metals, and textiles), as noted by such ancient scholars as Herodotus, Strabo, and Xenophon, who were among the most important writers of the ancient world. Herodotus wrote of Armenian wine flowing down the Euphrates to Babylon; Xenophon described drinking from clay jars in village homes during his march through the region; and Strabo praised the fertile vineyards that shaped its economy. From antiquity to today, Armenia’s wines have been recognized as a mark of quality, deeply rooted in one of the world’s oldest winemaking traditions. Armenia is a mountainous landlocked country nestled in between Georgia, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. Its high-altitude vineyards, volcanic soils, and abundance of native grapes create a truly distinctive terroir. It has a Continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters, as well as large diurnal temperature shifts (warm days, cool nights) that help grapes retain acidity and aromatic complexity. There is abundant sunshine (over 300 days a year in many regions) which ensures full ripening, and the low humidity and wind reduce disease pressure, making organic viticulture highly feasible. Areni Noir, which is the grape variety of the rosé being featured, is the country’s flagship red grape, and it produces elegant, age-worthy wines with cherry, pomegranate, and spice notes. Think Pink! Justin Malesheetz- Wine Buyer Fillmore 2024 Poderi San Lazzaro Elise Marche Rosato Region/Country of Origin: Marche, Italy About the Winery: Poderi San Lazzaro traces back to Lorenzo Capriotti's acquisition of a farm nestled in the hills near Offida. This site, situated 290 meters above sea level, proved to be an ideal spot for growing grapes, located just 9 miles from the shores of the Adriatic Sea and 15 miles from the Apennine mountains. Lorenzo initiated the venture by cultivating vineyards filled with Montepulciano, Sangiovese, and Passerina grape varieties. In 2003, Paolo Capriotti and his wife Elisetta assumed control of the farm and winery. The estate, now under organic cultivation, spans 9.5 hectares with ages ranging from 15 to 60 years, complemented by 2 hectares of olive groves and an additional 2 hectares of wooded land. About the Winemaking: 80% Grenache and 20% Sangiovese fermented in temperature cold tanks and aged in stainless steel Tasting Notes: A vivid pale crimson in the glass with notes of ripe red cherry. Dry with balanced acidity and a fuller body, the juicy cherry and strawberry flavors glide through the long finish. Winemaker: Paolo Capriotti Price: $21.99 btl/ $237.50 Suggested food pairing: Bruschetta topped with tomato, garlic and basil, pasta with cheese or cream sauce, egg dishes, leafy salads with fall fruits, salmon dishes, poultry, spicy Asian dishes and soft cheeses like Camembert or Brie 2023 Voskevaz Areni Rosé Region/Country of Origin: Aragatsotn, Armenia About the Winery: Originally founded in 1932 and one of the only wineries allowed to work through Soviet rule, the Voskevaz Winery was has been run by Davit Hovhannisyan since 1997, who has recently been joined by his brothers, artist and architect Gagik Oganesyan and metalworker Armen Oganesyan. They focus on traditional indigenous varietals like Areni Noir, Haghtanak, and Voskehat and are one of the few producers in the region harvesting fruit from ancient bush trained vines ranging from 80 to 300 years of age. About the Winemaking: 100% Areni Noir from 80 to 100 year old vines 1600 meters above sea level cold pressed before fermentation and aging in stainless steel tanks. Tasting Notes: Pale salmon with a nose of cherry blossom, white peach, tangerine and strawberry. Medium bodied and fresh, with bright ruby grapefruit, stone fruit, fresh strawberry, and cherry flavors with a dry finish reminiscent of fresh citrus. Winemaker: David Hovhannisyan Price: $20.99 btl/$226.69 case Suggested Food Pairing: Raw fish anti-pasti, Light pasta dishes with vegetables or shrimp, Chicken Khorovats, Dolmas.
Learn more
July Rosé Club
Summer Vacation Rosé With our cold and grey summer in full effect, it’s nice to get away to somewhere warm, or at the least enjoy a nice rosé from a sunny locale. This month we have two rosés from coastal areas to help conjure those relaxing Mediterranean vibes. Both regions also share a long lived tradition of winemaking deeply intertwined with their local communities and landscape. Sitting in the northern section of the Vinho Verde DOC, Lima spans the Atlantic ocean to the west and the mountainous region bordering Trás-os-Montes to the east. Split in half by the Lima river and with some of the highest rainfall in the region, it has a warm Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and wet mild winters. It can lay claim to one of the oldest, if not the oldest town in Portugal, dating back 1125 AD, three years before Portugal began to split from Spain. Wines from this region were also some of the first to reach the rest of Europe in the 16th century, traveling north with cod. While the main white varietal here is Loureiro, native to this region of Portugal, the red grapes Vinhão (known as Souzão in the Douro Valley), Borraçal, and Espadeiro are the basis of their pink wines, which share the same signature effervescence as the whites. Though it only gained DOC status in 1995, Italy’s Costa d’Amalfi has a winemaking history dating back to 600 BC when the Greeks first planted vines. This tradition was continued by the Romans who located some of their earliest vineyards here as well. It was difficult work then, and remains so today. For while Amalfi’s sheer cliff faces and rugged terrain make for stunning views, the jagged landscape means vineyards have to be picked by hand, as mechanical harvesting is nearly impossible. This remoteness has actually helped protect the vineyards from succumbing to the tourism industry’s lucrative scythe, as has happened in the nearby islands of Capri and Ischia. In 1997, the entire Costa D’Amalfi was designated a UNESCO world heritage site, ensuring its specific history, culture and terroir will endure. As in the rest of the larger Campania region, Aglianico and Piedirosso (known here as Per ‘e Palumm) are the predominant red grapes here, grown on clay and limestone soils at high elevation, producing long lived wines. Think Pink, Justin Malesheetz PlumpJack Fillmore Wine Buyer Adega Cooperativa de Ponte da Barca ‘Este’ Vinho Verde Rosé Region/Country of Origin: DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal About the Winery: Beginning in 1963 but becoming properly active in 1968, this cooperative boasts over 1000 members and covers nearly 900 hectares (2224 acres) straddling the Lima, Vade, and Vez rivers around the municipalities of Ponte da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez in the central region of the Lima Valley where it is warmer and less humid than the coastal regions. They focus on the indigenous Portuguese varietals Loureiro and Vinhão, which thrive in the warm mediterranean weather About the Winemaking: 40% Vinhão, 30% Borraçal, and 30% Espadeiro pressed separately and fermented in temperature controlled vats. Tasting Notes: Pale pink veering towards salmon in the glass with a nose showing notes of strawberry, red cherry, and ruby grapefruit. Slightly effervescent and juicy on the palate with bright acidity and flavors of fresh ripe red berries and a citrusy, slightly saline finish of good length. Winemaker: José Oliveira Price per bottle / Price per case: $9.99 btl/ $107.89 cs Suggested Food Pairing: Fried green tomatoes, grilled seafood, ceviche, citrus salad Cantine Marisa Cuomo Costa d’Amalfi Rosato Region/Country of Origin: Costa d’Amalfi DOC, Italy About the Winery: Originally started in 1942 as part of a collective to sell the wines of the Furore Coast, Cantine was purchased in 1980 by Andrea Ferraiolo as a wedding gift to his wife, Marisa Cuomo. Since then, Marisa has dedicated herself to protecting and reviving native varietals and, along with oenologist Luigi Moio of the Quintodecimo Winery, crafting age worthy wines that can only come from the Amalfi Coast. About the Vineyard: Nestled in the hamlet of Vietri Sul Mare west of Salerno, the south facing terraced vineyards are carved into the Dolomitic-limestone cliffside 40-250 meters (130-800 feet) above the sea. Densely planted with the vines trained horizontally to produce air flow, protecting the grapes from disease pressure and too much sunlight during the summer months. About the Winemaking: 50% Aglianico and 50% Piedirosso hand picked from terraces 300-400 metres above sea level that is then pressed softly and cold macerated for 10-12 hours before fermentation to bring out not only a more vivid color, but also coax more flavor and aroma compounds from the wine. The wine is then fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for 20 days and aged for a further 4 months. Tasting Notes: Pale pink with a nose of dried herbs and fresh red berries. Medium bodied and fresh on the palate with flavors of red cherry and pomegranate and a dry mineral finish that holds on. Winemaker: Marisa Cuomo Price per bottle / Price per case: $30.99 btl/ $371.88 cs Suggested Food Pairing: Antipasti, cioppino, pescado a la Veracruzana, pecorino, aged gouda
Learn more