Selbach Grauburgunder
$26.99
Today, Johannes Selbach and his wife Barbara, with the help of son Sebastian, manage their vineyards and winery with passion and respect for the estate’s long-held traditions. A substantial portion of their 24 hectares of vines are on their original rootstocks, in Zeltinger, Schlossberg, and Sonnenuhr; Wehlener Sonnenuhr; and, Graacher and Bernkasteler Graben. These vineyards of weathered Devonian slate are on a steep, contiguous slope facing south-southwest and represent some of the most prestigious sites in all of the Middle Mosel, in fact 85% of the Selbach’s vines are on steep slopes. The Selbach family’s heritage in the wine business dates to 1600: Selbach’s ancestors shipped wines down the Mosel in their own ships, the wine carried in oak barrels made by cooper Matthias Oster, the great-grandfather on the paternal side of the family. Thus, the winery developed as both a top estate producing some of the region’s best wine, and also as a négociant and brokerage firm, consolidating the production of smaller growers.
De Moor Vin de France Caravan
$64.99
Domaine Alice et Olivier De Moor is located in Courgis, in Burgundy. Alice is from Jura and met Olivier in a renowned estate in Chablis where he was in charge of the vines. They both graduated in oenology, and with their knowledge, they started their domain by planting three plots of Chablis in 1989, while still being employed elsewhere. From 1995, they devoted themselves entirely to their 4 hectares of vines, which they extended in 1996 by purchasing a large plot in Chitry. Alice and Olivier De Moor have been working their vines in organic farming since 2005. In 2002, they replaced the large harvest boxes with small boxes where the grapes were not crushed by their own weight. In 2007, they built a large cellar with high ceilings, allowing them to do all their cellar work by gravity. In 2008, they bought a second-hand pneumatic press to process the grapes as gently as possible. There is no sulfur used during the harvest or during the vinification.
Caravan’ cuvée is atypical since it is a blend of Riesling from Alsace, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Aligoté.
La Monacesca Verdicchio
$33.99
Agricola La Monacesca is located in the commune of Matelica, about 4 kilometres from the centre of town, in the Monacesca contrada, along the state highway that leads to Fabriano. The area where we they located owes its name to the settlement, around 900AD, to a small band of Benedictine monks from the monastery of Farfa who fled northern Italy under the scourge of the Lombards. They decided to stay in this out-of-the-way place, and built a small church and a monastery (today perfectly restored and now part of the winery’s borgo, or hamlet); thus this splendid area took the name of Monacesca over time. The name became the winery brand-name too in 1966, when Casimiro Cifola, having purchased the farm properties, began planting the first vineyards and built the first wine cellar. 1973 saw the release of their first Verdicchio di Matelica. This signalled the departure point for an extraordinary adventure. Starting in 1982, Casimiro was joined by his son Aldo, the current director of the winery; he gave his support to efforts to further increase, through technical means, efforts focused on drawing out the qualities inherent in to Verdicchio.
Nik Weiss Piesporter GT Kabinett
$43.99
Nik Weis, the owner of St. Urbanshof, took over the winery in 1997. He and his staff grow 33 hectares (82 acres) of Riesling in some of the finest sites of the Middle-Mosel and Saar. These vineyards demonstrate what has fascinated wine lovers for centuries. In the three “Grand Cru” sites (Leiwener Laurentiuslay, Ockfener Bockstein, Piesporter Goldtröpfchen) and three Village Sites (Wiltinger, Saarfeilser and Mehringer), Nik Weis and his team work year after year towards expressive and characterful wines. Today the winery exports to international markets and enjoys a great reputation for exceptional Riesling wines.
Nik Weis is a third-generation vintner who, along with his family, runs the St. Urbans-Hof estate. With roots burrowed deep at his winery home, he’s travelled the world gathering knowledge of the international wine scene.
Willi Schaefer Wehlener Sonnenuhr
$99.99
Willi, who was born in 1949, made his first vintage in 1971, then still with his father. During Willi’s career, the Schaefer wines achieved an international reputation. The winery, as it exists today, is also the life’s work of Martha (1924-2013) and Willibrord Schaefer (1912-1995). In the difficult post-war period, they built today’s manor and farm buildings and produced, even at that time, outstanding wines. The family's vineyards are located in Graacher Dompropst and Graacher Himmelreich, as well as in Wehlener Sonnenuhr. The plots are located on steep slate slopes and consist of up to 100-year-old, ungrafted vines. Graacher Domprobst roughly translates to the Kingdom of Heaven. The Graacher Dompropst vineyard is classified as a VDP. GROSSE LAGE vineyard, the designation for the highest quality Mosel vineyards. Due to the topography, the kingdom of heaven is protected against wind and frost. In addition, the warming of the slate soil causes uniform and complete maturity. Many water veins ensure an optimal supply of moisture for the vines. Rieslings from Graacher Domprobst are typically silky and charming, in harmony with fine fruit acidity and minerality. The scent is often characterized by citrus, yellow and white peach. In addition, the clay content in the soil gives these plants their distinctive, powerful character. Giving them time to age will reward them with even more elegance and mineral finesse.
Decugnano Villa Barbi Orvieto
$29.99
In 1973, at just 28 years old, Claudio stumbled upon Decugnano by chance, then a forgotten land. But behind that veil of neglect, he saw a charm that captivated him. He felt a profound connection with that land and decided to make it his own: thus, Decugnano dei Barbi was born. Claudio began the renovation of the vineyards and the construction of the winery. In 1978, the first wines came to light, bringing a wave of innovation. His vision was reflected in the choice of modern winemaking methods, which at the time represented a breakthrough. Claudio released three labels that still exist today: Decugnano Bianco, Decugnano Rosso, and Metodo Classico. And the Metodo Classico was his boldest step: no one before him had attempted to create a Metodo Classico in Umbria, and it was a challenge to the established order, but also a homage to his Brescian roots.
Vinyes del Terrer Blanc
$32.99
On the stunning Mediterranean coast of Spain just south of Tarragona is where you will find the Vinyes del Terrer estate. Made up of nine plots just 20 metres above sea level, what makes this winery so unique is the lumaquela sediment infused into the terroir. Lumaquela is a limestone-based sediment formed over millions of years made of fossilized seashells and calcareous cement. Lumaquela provides rich nutrients to the soil and conveys a deep minerality to Vinyes del Terrer wines. The mild Mediterranean climate and marine terroir combine to make gorgeous wines. Vinyes del Terrer vintages elegantly reflect the mineral character of the land, and provide an intensely fruity bouquet due to the careful ripening of their grapes.
Attis Albarino Lias Finas
$31.99
ATTIS is the wine quest of two brothers, Robustiano and Baldomero Fariña. Years ago, they joined the French Oenologist, Jean François Hebrard, to elevate winemaking in Rias Baixas wine region and the possibilities of its main varietals, such as albarino, and terroir aiming to elaborate artisanal and traditional wines, attending to their variety, plot or winemaking, bringing out each nuance and every aroma that gives them the climate, the terroir and, of course, the Atlantic.
Marto Wines Weiss
$47.99
Marto Wörner burst on the scene after learning with natural wine royalty Gut Oggau and Matassa. He works his wines organically in the Rheinhessen, the largest of Germany’s 13 quality wines regions known for acid-driven and precise Muller Thurgau and Riesling. Here Marto leaves these classic grapes on their skins a touch longer for added texture and flavour. A complete non-interventionalist, this is made from native yeast with no filing and filtration and no added sulphur.