Hey guys!
Apologies for the late newsletter this week! I arrived in Aspen yesterday for the annual Aspen Food & Wine Classic and am excited to share some updates soon.
Pictured: Aspen, Colorado
In the meantime, we're covering the honorable mentions from our American natural wine series, a night at Dom Pérignon's newest exhibition in New York, and one of my favorite Summer wines that I think everyone should try. Enjoy!
American Natural Wine Honorable Mentions 🇺🇸
Covering the US producers we missed for our series
We wrapped up our American natural wine series this week, and it was a pleasure to explore such a diverse range of producers from across the country. Along the way, we featured Toni Coturri, Raj Parr, Eyrie Vineyards, La Garagista, Hermann J. Wiemer, Matt Taylor, Ridge Vineyards, and Maggie Harrison of Antica Terra. Each producer helps tell a different chapter of the American wine story, and all have made lasting contributions to the country's wine culture.
Of course, no series like this can capture the full picture. There are countless other producers doing important work and making remarkable wines across the United States. With that in mind, here are a few regions and producers that we think deserve an honorable mention:
Pacific Northwest
Pictured: Pacific Northwest, Image by Britannica
The Pacific Northwest has become one of the most exciting regions in American natural wine. Stretching from Oregon's Willamette Valley to Washington's Columbia Gorge and the emerging vineyards of Southern Oregon, the region combines a cool climate, dramatic landscapes, and a spirit of experimentation.
Producers to explore: Hiyu Farms, Swick Wines, Maloof, St. Reginald Parish / The Marigny, Day Wines, Ovum Wines, Johan Vineyards
Northern California
Pictured: Northern California. Image by Geocurrent
Northern California remains one of the spiritual homes of American natural wine. From Mendocino and Sonoma to the Sierra Foothills, the region helped establish many of the philosophies that define the movement today: organic farming, minimal intervention, and a willingness to challenge convention. The diversity of climates and vineyard sites allows for an enormous range of styles, from fresh coastal wines to alpine expressions.
Producers to explore: Clos Saron, Frenchtown Farms, Martha Stouman, Ruth Lewandowski, Pax Winery, Stagierie, Caleb Leisure, Llewelyn, Dorsal Wines, Florez Wines, Cruse Wine Co, La Onda, Tinto Amorio, Arnot Roberts, Rhys
California's Central Coast
Pictured: Central Coast. Image by Geocurrent
Running from Monterey through San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties, the Central Coast has emerged as a hotbed for a new generation of winemakers. Regions like Santa Rita Hills, Santa Maria Valley, and Paso Robles offer a unique mix of cool ocean influence and abundant sunshine, producing wines that balance freshness with finesse. The area has become particularly attractive to small producers seeking both high-quality fruit and creative freedom.
Producers to explore: Outward Wines, Lo-Fi Wines, Scar of the Sea, Lady of the Sunshine, Two Shepards, Enfield Wine Co
New York State
Pictured: New York State Wine Regions. Image by WineTourism
While the Finger Lakes has long been recognized as one of America's great cool-climate wine regions, the broader New York wine scene has never been more exciting. The Finger Lakes continues to produce world-class Riesling and increasingly compelling reds, while the Hudson Valley has become a center for small-scale, experimental producers working with hybrid and vinifera varieties alike. Together, they represent one of the country's most dynamic wine communities.
Producers to explore: Barbichette, Nathan K Wines, Usonia Wine, Osmote, Living Roots, Bloomer Creek Vineyard, Field Supply Wine, Ria’s Wines, Prism Cellars, Barry Family Cellars
Beyond the Traditional Wine Regions
Some of the most interesting developments in American wine are happening outside the regions most people associate with viticulture. From Virginia's rolling hills and growing reputation for expressive, terroir driven wines, to Vermont's pioneering work with cold-hardy hybrids, to Texas producers redefining what is possible in a hot climate environment, these states continue to push American wine into new territory. While they may receive less attention than California or Oregon, they're increasingly worth seeking out.
Producers to explore: Commonwealth Crush, Lightwell Survey, The Austin Winery, Aquila Cellars, Left Foot Charlie, Early Mountain
A Night with Dom Pérignon 🍾
Spending an Evening with the Champagne House in New York
Last week, we were invited to a really special Dom Pérignon event in Chelsea, and it was one of the more unique wine experiences I've had in a while.
To celebrate the release of three new cuvées, Dom Pérignon Vintage 2017, Vintage 2008 P2, and Rosé Vintage 2010, the Champagne house transformed a gallery space into a temporary exhibition called Expressions of Harmony. The concept was pretty straightforward: three wines, three rooms, and three different ways of experiencing them.
Pictured: Vincent Chaperon, Dom Pérignon Cellar Master
The evening began with the Vintage 2017. Our group was seated in a dark room, each with a glass in hand, and guided through an audio experience while tasting the wine. The soundtrack moved through different sounds, highlighting the contrasts that shaped the growing year. It was interesting to see how changing the atmosphere changed the experience of the wine itself.
Pictured: Food by Reika Alexander
The second room was my favorite. Each guest sat in an individual booth and was served three dishes created specifically for the Vintage 2008 P2 by EN Japanese Brasserie founder Reika Alexander. The wine spent more than fifteen years aging before release, and the food was designed to reflect that complexity and evolution. As you'd expect, the pairing was pretty incredible.
Pictured: Mochi Tasting
The final room centered around the Rosé 2010 and featured a live mochi-making demonstration. We then got to taste the rosé alongside freshly made mochi, a pairing I'll definitely be trying again. Watching the process unfold while drinking the wine tied together many of the themes from the evening: craftsmanship, time, and transformation.
Pictured: Dom Pérignon P2
I can't say I’m able to drink Dom regularly, but really enjoyed and appreciated the thought and creativity that went into the evening, and it was a reminder that wine can be about much more than what's in the glass.
Thanks so much to Dom Pérignon for having us!
Producer Highlight ⭐
One of our favorite parts of wine is the discovery: we’re constantly being put on to new regions, producers, and cuvées from our friends. We’ll never be able to try EVERY wine, but we want to take a moment to mention some producers that excite us!
Brand Bros 🍷
Location: Bockenheim, Pfalz, Germany📍
Pictured: Pfalz, Germany. Image by WineTourism
Just a few miles south of Flörsheim-Dalsheim and the famed vineyards of Rheinhessen lies the village of Bockenheim, an often-overlooked corner of the northern Pfalz. It is here that brothers Daniel and Jonas Brand have emerged as two of the most influential voices in modern German natural wine. The family has farmed these vineyards for generations, but when Daniel joined the estate in 2014, he began the process of transitioning the domaine to organic farming and a more hands off approach in the cellar. Jonas soon joined him, and together the brothers have helped shine a spotlight on a region that, until recently, rarely found itself in conversations about Germany's most exciting wines.
Pictured: Jonas Brand and Pauline Baumberger
The Brands farm roughly 20 hectares of limestone-rich vineyards in a way that’s thoughtful and alive. Their vineyards are known for abundant biodiversity, with cover crops, flowers, and wildlife thriving between the vines. Certified organic since 2018 and increasingly influenced by biodynamic principles, the brothers focus on working with nature rather than against it. Their experience working with respected growers throughout the Loire, Austria, and beyond helped shape their philosophy, but the wines remain distinctly their own: energetic, transparent, and full of personality.
Pictured: Brand Pinot Blanc
Today, Brand has become one of the defining names of Germany's natural wine movement. Their lineup ranges from Rieslings and Pinot Blancs to pét-nats and light reds. What makes the wines so compelling to us is the balance they strike between purity and drinkability; they are serious wines, but never self-serious. More than perhaps any other producer in the northern Pfalz, the Brand brothes have shown what this corner of Germany is capable of, helping lead a new generation of growers while crafting some of the country's most exciting wines along the way.
Pictured: Brand Brother Vines in Pfalz
We've been fans of these wines for a long time, and getting the chance to visit the estate this past April only deepened our appreciation. Jonas and his partner Pauline welcomed us into their home for a meal, poured us through the lineup, and showed us around their vines. It was really one of the highlights of our trip to Germany.
Pictured: Brand Bros Wilder Satz Pur at BabySips
One of our absolute favorites from the estate is the Wilder Satz Pur. A field blend of Chardonnay, Sylvaner, and Müller-Thurgau, it's a wine I describe as "adult lemonade." Bright, refreshing, and packed with citrus fruit, with a chill it's the perfect wine for Summer. The best part? It's also one of the best values in natural wine.
Wine Club Updates 🍷 📦
June's shipment should be arriving soon, and we couldn't be more excited for you to try this month's lineup. We think these are the perfect wines for summer, and we can't wait to hear what you think!
If you have any questions or run into any issues with your shipment, feel free to reach out to [email protected] and they'll get you sorted!
Not a member yet? You can sign up here:
That’s it for today! After Aspen, we’ll be in California for the next two weeks exploring up and down the coast. Excited to share updates!
Thank so much for reading, and as always, drink responsibly! 🥂