Wine

Cascina degli Ulivi continuously produces surprising, purely biodynamic, and downright delicious Piedmontese wines, and this “Semplicemente” made with Cortese grapes is no exception. A departure from their highly structured, age-worthy bottles, this wine is fresh, fun, and ready to drink now, with notes of crisp fruit and sea breezy minerality.

Stefano Bellotti of Cascina degli Ulivi was an influential figure in the movement to bring biodynamic winemaking into the mainstream — his warmth and generosity extended to both the natural environment and the people he came into contact with. And while “Semplicemente vino” translates to “simply wine,” this wine embodies the word veraciously. Down to earth, lively, and honest with a touch of funk, this is Piemontese natural wine at its best.

This bright and energetic blend of Vermentino and Chardonnay is poised to shake up your white wine regimen. On the nose, expect sea-kissed lemon rind and ripe pineapple. On the palate, it is crisp, dry, and seriously refreshing. Cue up the seafood: fish, scallops, anything in a shell. It’s going to pop when paired with this wine.

Dani Landi and Fernando Garcia may be the most exciting winemakers in Spain today. At Commando G they’ve focused their wild creativity and insane work ethic on an ambitious revitalization of the Sierra de Gredos. The duo channels the great winemakers of Burgundy and their experiences drinking Chateau Rayas to manifest pure, expressive Grenache with a glowing ruby color and out-of-this-world aromatics. Orange peel, freshly picked rosemary, ripe bing cherry, a mysterious perfume… This bottling is a stealthy opportunity for those in the know. Dani and Fernando make the wine under a local cooperative. You get all that Command G intensity and wonder at a price that just can’t be beat. 

Natural old-vine Frappato/Perricono from Etna's volcanic soils? In a liter bottles? Yes please! This Sicilian party bottle is super fun to share (or not). Think juicy plum and ripe blackberry, smoked rosemary and baking spices. These young stars of Italy's natural wine scene have Frank Cornelissen looking over his shoulder! Buy a few bottles before it's all gone. Bio wines this good sell fast!

Lifted aromatics and electric intensity - this is a bottle for a table covered in food and lined with friends. These vineyards have been in the family since 1860. Flavia and Giacomo have all that history behind them. They know how to get out of the way and let the vines sing a (Sicilian) pop song. Orange blossom, pink grapefruit, honeysuckle - this is very fun to drink!

Everybody wants that Haarmeyer Chenin! Craig Haarmeyer and his family love to get after the "Sacramento terroir". They keep their farming natural as your birthday suit. Craig says "We add nothing to our wines but elbow grease." It sure does pay off. This is really transparent Chenin Blanc. White peach, lemon zest, apple blossom and a mean mineral streak. Sacramento to the core.

In the 1980s, Chiara Vigo’s family vineyard was narrowly missed by a stream of lava from one of Mount Etna’s especially aggressive eruptions. Consequently, Fattorie Romeo del Castello’s 14-hectare estate is now surrounded by a 20-foot wall of lava. Their fantastically mineral wine is a perfect reflection of this dramatic vineyard landscape. This Rosé is savory, complex, and not-to-be-missed.

A blend of indigenous Nielluciu, Sciaccarellu, and non native Grenache that is as refreshing as the breezy island vineyard it comes from. This energetic Corsican rosé delivers notes of jicama, white cherry, and lively island herbs. This wine would be great on its own, or with pan seared white fish on good toast with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and lemon.

Guy Breton is one of the “Gang of Four”, known for using more traditional methods of vinification. He excludes pesticides and uses little to no sulfur dioxide. This wine is made from vines 35-100 years old, grown on a bed of shallow stoney soil - creating a lush, red fruited Beaujolais driven by minerality.