EVENTS

Tuesday, April 8
4-5:30pm

“In the 1990s, the Suriols decided to switch vineyard management completely to organics, rejecting pesticides, synthetic herbicides, and fertilizers. The estate got its official certification in 1996, and some 20 years later, Assís Suriol, its current head, took it even further by introducing biodynamic practices and limiting the use of sulfur. “The decisions we make are unique for each vine. We never apply general recipes to our vineyards, only Mediterranean viticulture based on ecology and the wisdom of our farming ancestors,” he says. “For us, the most important thing is not the certification, but a clean conscience and staying true to the local philosophy. The complicity of the moon cycles and the astral influences, although not as decisive as our daily work, are always helpful too.” 

Following a truly holistic biodynamic approach, the sustainability effort extends to all areas of production – the farm’s “waste”, like compost and cow manure, is returned to the soil for its nourishment, a big part of their energy supply is covered by their own solar panels, the glass bottles are always sourced from the Iberian Peninsula and generally less than 100 km from Grabuac… Working with locally typical grapes such as Parellada, Macabeo, Xarel-lo, or Mataró and Garnacha rather than the globally present varieties is another part of the picture. .” J&F Selections

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet winemaker Assís Suriol of Cellers de Can Suriol & Azimut in the Penedés!

This is a free tasting and all the wine curious are welcome to stop by!

Friday, April 25
6-7:30pm

One would be hard pressed to name a winemaker in Alsace more synonymous with, or catalytic to, the natural wine world at large.

Since taking over for his father, Joseph, in 1998 Christian has continually calibrated his trajectory, steadfastly seeking more holistic, more regenerative, more forthright wine growing and wine making practices. He is a local pioneer of Biodynamic farming, and in 2012 he debuted his painstakingly constructed bioclimatic cellar, naturally insulated with a prairie roof.

As it stands, Christian has honed his work into producing (to quote wine writer Aaron Ayscough) “a triumphant parade of lush, pure, unfiltered and unsulfited whites and reds, supplemented by a panoply of splendid orange wines.”

As a tinkerer and a thinker, Christian has inspired a generation of growers in the region and beyond, and yet it still feels refreshingly like he’s just getting started!

We are certainly honored to host him in the space to talk about his work and the rich history of Alsace - its transformative move towards natural wine making, and its bright future.

Friday, May 16
6-8pm

We take nearly every opportunity we are given to put our customers face-to-face with winemakers. Learning about wines from a primary source is enlightening and often humbling. So, it’s with great enthusiasm that we’re hosting a “Petit Salon” - a group tasting with five diverse wine producers who will all be in the shop on Friday, May 16th. Ticket gets you entry, ability to taste all wines and chat with winemakers, along with 10% off all wines being poured!! There will also be an open bar with glass pours featuring these wonderful producers. Join us!

Aurora - Founded as a collective in the 70s, this Marche-based community focuses on regenerative viticulture and land management to produce honest, classic wines from one of Italy’s overlooked regions.

Azienda Agricola Summer Wolff - Born out of years championing organic, natural wines, Summer’s tiny estate is already making a name here for lively, wholesome Piedmont bottlings that are as romantic as they are well made, and Summer’s many contributions to the emerging natural wine world continue, now as a skilled producer. 

Broc Cellars - Chris Brockway is a talented winemaker helping to reshape California’s future. He has a real skill for sourcing healthy, diverse varieties and producing fresh, bright wines that drink easy but are endowed with real complexity.

Domaine Balansa - One of our most beloved producers in Mediterranean, sun-drenched and breezy Fitou/Corbières,  Domaine Balansa wines feel like a perfect reflection of these qualities. They eschew heft for freshness, incorporating the wind and sun to aid their organic viticulture. This was the way in the centuries before: lively, perfumed wines of restorative energy and a hedonistic drinkability.

Pielihueso - Spanish for “skin and bones”,  Pielihueso is father/daughter combo Celina and Alejandro Bartolome based in Los Chacayes and Los Sauces (both subregions of the Uco Valley, Argentina). This is a region we are more and more enchanted by, and Pielihueso are a big part of this.