Campagne Sarrière is a very small 7ha estate in Peypin-d'Aigues, in the Luberon region of Provence. Ludovic Blairon created the estate in 2017 by cobbling together a number of small, remote plots in the hilly villages along the south side of Mont Luberon. The vineyards have an average elevation of 450 meters and are farmed according to biodynamic principles, no ploughing, integrating diverse crops and animals. Winemaking also follows a minimal input ethos, with no added yeast and just a small dose of sulfur (1.5g/L) at bottling. The Petit Grain cuvée blends muscat petit grain, clairette, and chardonnay into an easy drinking unfiltered natural white—fruity, spicy, and full of intrigue. Drink with salty snacks and salty friends who will help you take the geeky tasting notes.

Jean-Marie Rimbert is a true son of the soil; born and raised on his family's farm in Provence, he trained as an agriculturist before embarking on a now 40 year career as a winemaker. After spending 15 years working at various estates, he struck out on his own and founded Domaine Rimbert in 1996. It was during this very first and very challenging harvest that his son Marceau was born and this wine is named in tribute to him. It's a blend of old vine red grapes that are gently extracted to produce what Jean-Marie calls “the best quality-price-pleasure ratio”. Expect plenty of red and black fruits along with a touch of earth and spice. A truly enjoyable table red that needs a light chill to fully express itself. Try it with burgers or a hearty bean stew.

Founded in 1903, the 200-hectare Finca Torremilanos in Aranda de Duero is the second-oldest wine-producing estate in what is now Ribera del Duero DO (after Vega Sicilia). The current regime dates to the late 70's, and was instrumental in the establishment of the DO in 1982. Pilar Pérez Albéniz, one of the most respected women in the region and winner of the inaugural ‘Ribera Heritage’ Award in 2019, is still at the helm, with two of her sons, Ricardo and Vicente, handling winemaking and sales respectively. Montecastrillo is their bread-and-butter red, made from the estate's younger vines, and aged for 3-4 months in French and American oak barrels to soften the tannins of this roughly hewn clone of tempranillo. This hearty red would be enjoyed with BBQ or grilled meats, paella valenciana, or sheeps' milk cheeses, among many other things.

If you’ve never heard of the mansois grape, you are not alone! Also known as braucol (when grown in nearby Gaillac), fer, fer servadou, (or even just servadou), this dark and tannic grape is known for being a bit rustic, wild, and minerally, with flavors and aromas perhaps most similar to cabernet franc (but with more brambly raspberry fruit). Domaine Du Cros has been a family run affair for generations and might be the best known producer in Marcillac, if only because there aren’t very many wines being exported from this region! As such, this introduction to Marcillac might be your only foray into the realm (aside from Domaine du Cros’ stellar rosé, currently featured on our casual cart) but we believe it’s a trip worth taking. Traditionally, Marcillac wine is often enjoyed with local dishes like stuffed sheep or veal tripe, aligot (cheesy mashed potatoes), and other hearty fare. But any old pot pie or sausage ought to do just right by this wine.

Corzano e Paterno is an olive oil, cheese farm, and winery southwest of Florence. Its modern restoration story is a romantic fairy tale. Swiss architect Wendel Gelpke falls in love with Tuscany and in 1969 purchases an historic estate in disrepair. His sister’s family moves down to help with the project and he purchases the neighboring property as well. Gelpke meets a young woman from Boston at Heathrow airport and she joins him on the farm where they end up raising their three daughters alongside many cousins and herds of Sardinian sheep. All aspects of the estate are managed by various family members. Arianna Gelpke (Wendel's daughter) is now the winemaker and the vineyards are managed by Aljoscha Goldschmidt (Wendel's nephew) who both grew up at Corzano e Paterno and worked the harvests since they can remember. The farming has always been organic and the younger generation has continued to elevate the quality of the wines. Most of the production is focused on red wines, typical of the region. The blend featured here is their only dry white—citrusy and floral, an elegant and versatile wine at home alongside seafood, roasted veggies, or sheep’s milk cheese! 

Hacienda La Lomita is a 16-year-old wine producer in the Guadalupe Valley of Baja California in northwestern Mexico. While we're just seeing wines from this part of the world for the first time, vineyards were planted all over Mexico by the Spanish upon their arrival five centuries ago. The current wave is a led by a slew of quality-minded, small-scale producers who have introduced current techniques and sensibility to the area. In 2012, La Lomita was one of the first to receive organic certification. They are known for having placed a wine at Napa's famous French Laundry that comes from a special plot of 60-year-old grenache. This pure cabernet comes from a couple of mid-valley, northwestern-facing vineyards at about 1,000 feet above sea level. While it resonates with its siblings to the north, we find this surprisingly lighter-weight cab to have a distinctive identity. Try replacing your Modelo with this generous red for your next Taco Tuesday.