Dare we say it: the holidays are upon us. For some of you that may sound daunting, and for others, this may be music to your ears. Personally, we’re more than ready for the romantically crisp weather, the bourbon-focused cocktails, the roasted meats and warm stews, and the gatherings of eating and drinking amongst family and friends. One of our favorite ways to get psyched for an upcoming seasonal change is to find a few new wines that we deem perfect fall/winter sippers and share them with you, our wonderfully astute, wine connoisseur-y customers. Not only are the wines we’ve chosen to feature for the Thanksgiving season perfect for all holiday fare and weather, but these two wines are family owned, organic, low intervention, sustainable and delicious as hell. They both come from California, and if you find yourself a self-proclaimed hater of California wines, do yourself (and your ego) a big ol’ favor and pick these up and just TRY to tell us that they aren’t delicious.
Dunites Moy Mell White Blend
Our Fall Feature white is a delightful and unique blend from San Luis Obispo (SLO Coast), and it has everything: vibrancy and freshness, body and texture, salty seaswept flavors, and white cherry and stone fruit. Basically, it’s perfect. And it’s perfect because it is a very cool blend of WHITE Pinot Noir, UNOAKED Chardonnay and Albarino. Pinot can be white if it’s just immediately taken off the skins so you lose the color but you retain some of Pinot’s body, acidity and gorgeous flavors, just in not-red form. Don’t be scared of oak or butter! None of that exists here. The Chard used is clean, crisp and textural. Albarino from CA?? Yes! It’s on the coast, y’all, and does well here!
Kristen visited this winery a few years back, spent time in the vineyards and with the winemakers, Tyler and Rachel Eck*, and is a HUGE fan. “The wines were great then, and they are amazing now. These two are honing their craft to such a high level, and their care for the earth, their vines and their end product is so, so apparent with just one sip of each of their cuvees.” But Moy Mell has always been her favorite. “It’s just so freakin’ good.” Seth agrees, and the two wasted no time in featuring it for Thanksgiving.
*Tyler is pictured in the photo at the top of this newsletter, taken during Kristen’s visit to Dunites in 2021. Also pictured are Mikey Giugni of Scar of the Sea and Paul Stroud of Craft Wines (He’s the guy who makes sure these tasty wines get to Colorado).
Folk Machine Gamay
Our Fall Feature red is a bouncy, delightful, playful but structured Gamay out of Arroyo Seco, California. Some people say they don’t like Gamay…I’m not sure where and when Gamay hurt them, but I beg them to try this Gamay and try to do anything but smile following the first sip. It’s not too light or too fruity and definitely not sweet. It’s perfectly juicy and refreshing for every day but definitely will HIT HARD on Turkey Day. It’s a dream with cranberries, stuffing, cheese balls, charcuterie, and Grandma’s sweet potato pie piled high with marshmallows and all the rest. This wine just puts us in a good mood. What’s to hate about that?
These wines are available now until we run out, so come down and snag a bottle, and then snag four more and then a case or however many you need to please the masses descending upon your holiday table. There’s nothing like wine to bring people together, and with these two features, we hope to make it so easy on you, your friends, and your family that there’s more time for imbibing and storytelling and less time spent worrying about what everyone will drink.
Cheers!
Dunites Moy Mell White Blend (SLO, California)
REG: $32.99
F&F $26.99
Folk Machine Gamay (Arroyo Seco, California)
REG: $27.99
F&F $24.99
