Zarate Albarino
$41.99
Founded in 1707, Zarate sidles up along the lower reaches of the Umia River, where the cool climate, sloping weathered granite vineyards are translated via the grapes of the native grapes of the region. Chiefly amongst those grapes, of course, is the bracingly fresh and aromatic Albariño, a grape intrinsically associated with Bodegas Zárate.In 1953, Ernesto Zárate initiated the Albariño Festival in the region’s capital of Cambados. Infamously, he withdrew his wine from the festival’s competition after winning first place three years in a row, vowing not to re-enter until another grower matched his accomplishment. As of today, none have, according to him.
Zsirai White Blend
$28.99
Petra and Katra Zsirai now run the winery. Their beloved father raised and taught them the ropes, and he established the Zsirai Winery based on his high standards. These are the values they follow when fulfilling his dream and his legacy. When he became the owner of the winery, he was driven by his love for nature and purity, his respect for preserving heritage and his affection for Hungarian wine. This made him set out on a path that established our family’s presence at three of the most significant Hungarian terrains today. All the wines from this producer offer exceptional value.
47N3E - Chablis Cairn
$72.99
Guillaume Michaut has been surrounded by vineyards and the history of Chablis since childhood. His grandfather was an early believer in the wines of Chablis and worked proudly to expand the Chablis appellation to his village of Beines and beyond. By the 1960s, he was able to pass a rather large holding of vineyards down to his sons. As a teenager, Guillaume worked alongside his father and uncles in the vineyards and joined the family domaine in 2004. However, after his father passed away, Guillaume realized that his vision was starkly different from that of his uncles, and decided to set out on his own with his small share of family vines back in 2018.
Sfera Bianco
$31.99
From the Alps to the Mediterranean, Sfera collaborates with producers from different areas of Italy to explore their Terroirs and give light to small artisanal productions. They search for vineyards on granite hills, at altitude or near the sea, but also for native grapes that are little known but have great potential. They are always looking for new collaborations with winemakers who want to experiment with them and bottle something special and different from their classic productions, in small quantities. They work with producers who treat their land with respect and who aim to preserve the identities of their territories with simple but controlled winemaking. Many producers are certified organic, and some use biodynamic techniques in the vineyard. The wines are made from spontaneous fermentations, have under (<60mg/l) SO2, are dry wines with low residual sugar and alcohol levels between 12 and 13.5%, and are immensely drinkable.
Sassara Vin de Anfoa
$41.99
Situated just outside Verona, in the Morainic Hills near Lake Garda, Vini Sassara is a new project from longtime natural winemakers Alessia and Stefano Bertaiola. With a background in agricultural research and development, Alessia joined forces with third-generation winemaker Stefano more than a decade ago, and together they farm a 10-hectare site that has been in Stefano’s family for 50 years. They took over the property in 2007, and with Alessia's strong background in agricultural research and development, quickly converted each plot to biodynamic farming. This is Bardolino country, a DOC in the Veneto region most famous for its Valpolicella-style light reds and rosé wines. But being natural winemakers, Alessia and Stefano are less concerned with what conventional winemakers are doing in the area and instead have set out to show what the indigenous grapes and Bardolino terroir are capable of when allowed to express themselves naturally.
Sassara Misia Vin du Va
$37.99
A sumptuous skin contact, wine produced just outside Verona, in the Morainic Hills near Lake Garda, ‘Vini Sassara’ is a fresh project from longtime natural winemakers Alessia and Stefano Bertaiola. With a background in agricultural research and development, Alessia joined forces with third-generation winemaker Stefano. Together, they work a 10-hectare organic site that has been in Stefano’s family for 50 years. From their calcareous soil hideaways and three days of maceration, we get this lively orange wine. A blend of garganega, trebbiano and tocai. It shows some salinity, white peach, citrus and a hint of mango. Natural and a little funky.
Burrowing Owl Pinot Gris
$40.99
Burrowing Owl Vineyards is situated within the very hot, dry bunchgrass climate of the South Okanagan, one of the four most endangered ecosystems in Canada. The first vineyards were planted in 1993 and the winery's first vintage was released in 1997. The winery also boasts the first underground storage caves in the Okanagan Valley. The international wine trade consistently names these wines among the best in the world. We love this Pinot Gris. Floral-jasmine and melon aromas are balanced by bright acidity and a long finish.
Domaine Vacheron Sancerre
$72.99
The Sancerre appellation is situated on porous limestone and hard flint soil near the head of the country’s longest river, the Loire. It’s right in the middle of France, really. Domaine Vacheron is just a ten minute stroll from the centre of town. This is a family winery in the truest sense – it’s also widely recognized as a pioneering, elite producer of Sancerre. The original five hectares established by Jean-Louis Vacheron in 1968 have grown to 43 hectares, and the Domaine comprises some of the finest sites in the central vineyards of the Loire Valley. Today cousins Jean-Dominque and Jean-Laurent Vacheron run the Domaine.
Athletes Du Vin Chenin
$36.99
Les Athlètes du Vin is a négociant project focused on value-driven wines from the Loire Valley. The idea was conceived by a group of French winemakers called Vini Be Good, who work together to distribute their wines across France. The wines are vinified by various members of the Vini Be Good network using their own grapes or grapes purchased from friends and neighbors in the Loire. The common core philosophy is that wine character first begins on the vine and that the soil is worked in such a way that grapes can draw their quintessential qualities. We are proud to present these wines made by their friends and family, as several of the cuvées are vinified by Gérard Vallée, brother of Mathieu Vallée from Château Yvonne." - Garneau Block