Destinations / APPELLATIONS
WINES GONE WILD BY CHAD HEIMANN
The Bay Area has a growing community of independent natural winemakers. They’re typically one-person operations that focus on going back to the basics and using more traditional techniques, leading to fresh, fruit-forward, and even funky wines. Here are some local boutique natural wines to look for at your local wine shops. STAGIAIRE WINE Sultana of Swat 2019 Old-vine Carignan Made from the grapes of eighty-year-old vines, this carignan is best served slightly chilled while watching a sunset. Winemaker Brent Mayeaux hit the nail Stagiaire Wine
on the head when he laid out tasting notes of blackberry brambles and watermelon Jolly Rancher laser beams. If this gem is sold out be on the lookout for a new batch coming this late spring. stagiaire wine.com
EVERYTHING IS OKAY Fizzy Red 2020 Blend Farmed from a blend of Petit Syrah from Hidden Hawk Ranch, Grenache Blanc from Madera, and Marsanne from Santa Ynez, California, this sparkling red wine
Michael Sullivan (Buddy/Buddy)
from wine newcomer Booker Riley hails from Richmond, California. It’s a zero/ zero wine, which by definition means nothing was added and nothing was taken out from the grapes, leading to a fruit-forward taste with a fun fizz. primalwine.com
BUDDY/BUDDY Pinot Gris + Apple 2020 Buddy/Buddy is a personal project from winemaker Cassidy Miller. Working alongside Berkeley’s Vinca Minor, Miller
blended fresh wines with picked apples for the perfect refreshing combination. The result feels like cider’s cooler cousin that went to arts school and started experimenting with psychedelics. Tasting notes include cherry with strawberry Hi-Chew candy. buddy buddywine.com
in Sonoma. It’ll take you back to the halcyon days when your cool aunt handed you a wine cooler from her ice chest on the beach. It’s refreshing and fun, with flavor profiles of a ‘90s Push Pop, and pairs great with comfort classics like pizza, pasta and burgers. primalwine.com
WAVY WINES California Piquette 2020 Although the winemakers are L.A.-based, this wine cooler is bottled right
Wavy Wines
Everything is Okay
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