Sardinia’s most widely planted grape and point of cultural wine pride, it’s no wonder that Cherchi cultivates Cannonau in the hills around Usini. A mix of calcareous and clay soils in the Mistral influenced Sassari region provide a uniquely lifted style, which Cherchi puts on full display with minimal winemaking influence.

Indigenous to Sardinia and grown almost exclusively in this corner of the island, Cherchi’s Cagnulari is the gold standard as to what the variety should taste like. Cultivated by Giovanni Cherchi as a point of regional pride, Cherchi ignored the mid-century trend of replanting old sites with international varieties. The result is more than a nice story though, as the wine itself gives simultaneous joy and nuance in its profile – appealing both to casual and discerning wine palates.

Enjoy the feel of a perfect endless summer with this bright, refreshing taste of Kanagawa’s surfer culture.

This is the wine that made Brander Vineyards – a trendsetting Sauvignon Blanc that came to define a region. Made with a majority of estate fruit, the clean and crisp style that’s beloved by so many was crafted by large diurnal shifts and unfussy stainless-steel aging. The results have been consistently lauded since their first vintage in 1977, with the label quickly becoming synonymous with both Brander and the Los Olivos District.

Au Naturel is made from the finest lots of Brander’s estate vineyards, carefully selected each year by the winemaking team. Attentive and diligent winemaking further define the character of the wine, with only free run juice used and careful lees aging building the rich yet delicate structure of the wine. The wine shows a concentrated and luscious profile, bristling with bright tropical fruit and tempered by a stony backbone.

Brander takes immense pride in their Bordeaux varietal plantings – perhaps none more-so than their Cabernet Sauvignon. Composed mostly of estate fruit, the wine is destemmed and fermented in large vats before aging for 15 months in 25% new French oak. The straightforward style yields a California Cabernet of subtlety and nuance, with an ethereal old-world soul behind plush, ruby tinged fruit and silky tannins.

Valmaggiore is the product of Luciano’s incredible passion for the Nebbiolo grape variety and the desire to show just how its expression can vary depending on the soil in which it is cultivated. Just 15 miles away from Barolo, in the Roero region, Nebbiolo produces a lighter structure and ripe, smooth tannins that are not unlike those of Pinot Noir. The wine drinks well from about age 6 to 12 but will easily last longer in the best vintages. This is not a “baby Barolo” or a second wine at all – it is a distinct interpretation of a completely different geographic winemaking zone. The wine shows delicious floral elements and red fruits, wrapped around a medium-weight structure with a long, delicious finish and modulated, ripe tannins.

Sandrone’s Dolcetto d’Alba is produced using Dolcetto grapes from 11 different vineyards, all within the Barolo DOCG. Sandrone’s Dolcetto sees no time in wood and is a remarkably robust and complex example of the variety.

Force Majeure’s Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerful but elegant, full-bodied wine that is grown primarily along the southwest ridge of their estate vineyard, in soils that are deep and loamy but contain many small rocks of fractured basalt, concreted ash and granite from Missoula flood erratics. Coming from 14 year old vines that produce small berries with lots of power and concentration. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Épinette is a Right-bank Bordeaux-inspired blend, and was named after an avenue in Libourne that leads to Pomerol and Saint-Émilion, the home of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Épinette is also the name of a musical instrument akin to a piano, as well as a word for pine tree, which is a fitting nod to Washington state. The wine itself is a blend of primarily Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, proportions of which change depending on the vintage.

Made utilizing meticulously farmed grapes from the estate vineyards on Red Mountain and in the Walla Walla Valley, these wines receive the same care and attention in both winemaking and viticulture as the upper-tier Force Majeure wines. The goal with Parabellum is to produce beautiful and approachable wines that are reflective of their varieties and terroir, without constraints on blending. Parabellum provides an opportunity to savor an authentic wine of distinction at a great value.

Marielle’s namesake Pouilly-Fumé shows joyous tropical notes, set against a finely structured acidity. Sourced from her organically certified vineyards, the consistency in quality is a testament of an experienced and attentive winemaker.

Ermitage Ex-Voto represents the fulfillment of a longtime dream of Marcel Guigal’s to own vineyard land on the hill of Hermitage. Through the purchase of the de Vallouit and J. L. Grippat domaines in 2000, Guigal acquired four exceptional vineyard parcels on this legendary site. The 2001 vintage was the first release of this estate-bottled Hermitage red and white. The quality of the intense old-vine fruit is quite special, but given the Guigal’s already strong work in Hermitage, they decided to only release an Ex-Voto red or white when the wine is utterly exceptional and clearly superior to their appellation bottlings.

Nadi is an homage to Scot Bilbro’s partner Lisa, who he says “creates as naturally and ceaselessly as she breathes, brightening all around her.”  Her path from Germany to India, Africa, and California is strewn with beauty. This Dry Riesling comes from a special vineyard in the Cienega Valley appellation inland of Monterey, California. These old, dry farmed, head pruned vines produce a small but concentrated crop. The second oldest Riesling in California, this block was planted in 1964. This wine shows white peach and apricot on the nose with an oyster shell minerality and waxy honeycomb aromas to provide depth and complexity. Long and mouth coating richness gives way to a tingly, lemon tart sensation before finally leaving the palate clean and fresh. It is bone dry yet generous, with exceptional clarity and verve befitting its namesake.

Affectionately known as “OVR,” Marietta’s Old Vine Red is a proprietary red wine made to replicate the field blends of the old vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. A groundbreaking combination of varietals and multiple vintages first produced in 1982, this wine has blazed the path for red blends for decades. With an historic underground following, it is one of the longest lasting and best known red blends produced today. Predominantly comprised of fresh, young Zinfandel, OVR gets its backbone from Petite Sirah with about three years of age in neutral barrel, and its savory component from Syrah with about two years of age in neutral barrel. Occasionally, other varieties like Merlot, Barbera, Carignan, or Grenache will be blended in to complement the other elements. The goal is always to create an enjoyable table wine made with integrity that combines pure fruit, a supple mouth feel and a rich, solid structure.

As one of the major wine publications once wrote, “All Oregon Pinot Noirs are measured against the Ponzi yardstick”. That has been true for over 50 years, while the Ponzi family has farmed 140 acres of certified sustainable vineyards all planted on Laurelwood soils. Taking on the mantle of pioneer spirit and innovation from their parents, sisters Maria and Luisa launched a decade-long pursuit, alongside neighboring growers, which has resulted in the recognition of Oregon’s first soil-based AVA, the Laurelwood District. Situated along the Northern ridge of the Willamette Valley, a long contiguous stretch of ancient fractured basalts are layered over with a fine, windblown sediment called loess. During their tenure on this unique land, the Ponzis have observed the unique characteristics as their vines penetrated the earth and evolved. Bright red fruit character in their youth gives way to dark berry and brambly spice as the vines reach into the volcanic layers. The character of this soil has defined the Ponzis’ wines and served as a guide for generations of winemakers in the Willamette Valley.

A coastal, approachable Pinot Noir that melds lively acidity with bright red fruits in a well-balanced, harmonious style. Intense nose of fresh fruits like strawberry, red cherries and plenty of floral aroma. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, good natural acidity and fresh berry fruits towards the finish. It is well balanced, clean and expressive.

Boya’s Sauvignon Blanc is the perfect balance of lime-tinged fruit and natural acidity with a clean, refined finish. An attractive nose of fresh white flowers and pineapple with hints of mango and passion fruit. The palate is well-balanced with beautiful acidity, lively lime-tinged fruit and a refined, crisp finish.

Ayala’s Le Blanc de Blancs is 100% Chardonnay, produced in small quantities in exceptional years only and fully expresses the superb caliber of great Chardonnay from the best crus of the Côte des Blancs. It is truly a unique vintage offering.

The 2016 vintage is sourced from two Grand Cru villages (Chouilly, Cramant) and three Premier Cru Villages (Cuis, Oger and Grauves). After six years of aging in Ayala’s cellars, remarkable minerality and low dosage (5g/l) make this an outstanding wine that can accompany a variety of flavorful dishes, or stand on its own.

Featuring 30 year old vines planted over free-draining silt/clay loams, the Heritage Vineyard produces Sauvignon Blancs of typical Marlborough intensity, bolstered by elevated acidity and steely textures.