Less than 20% of winemakers are women, we are hopeful that this number is going to keep growing. The wine industry starts with the winemakers but as we know, there are so many vital roles that women fill that can get overlooked. From taking care of the business side, marketing, exporting, importing, selling and educating others on wines. So, we don’t want to downplay how important women are in the winemaking industry! These wines are some of our best selling in the shop and one of the things that they have in common is that women are highly involved- we sense a pattern!
Catanga NV Frizzante- Castilla, Spain $21.95 Catanga boasts some of the largest organic vineyards in the EU, in central Spain, in La Mancha. Catanga is also part of Long Wines, a Spanish Wine Group. Elena Ramos who runs all their wineries, supports the production of the Catanga wines as well. She is a trained winemaker and the product manager for the entire company. Enjoy this wine any time that you are missing the summer!
Domaine Pépière 2020 Merci- Loire Valley, France $25.95
Gwénaëlle is the winemaker, she pushed to convert their vineyards to biodynamic farming in 2013. They craft their wines with minimal intervention. This wine is an ode to their neighbours. When frost affected 95% of Domaine de La Pepiere’s production in 2021, two of their neighbours came together and supplied the domaine with their finished wine for Domaine de La Pepiere to be able to sell another 2020 vintage to help make up some losses. Pair this with oysters on the half shell or as an aperitif.
Nicosia 2021 Fonda Filara Insolia- Sicily, Italy $24.95 This Sicilian Winery has been run by the Nicosia family for the past 120 years. While they take care of the business side, Maria Carella is their winemaker. Under her they have moved towards mostly organic or biodynamic vineyards. This wine has a core of grapefruit-esque zestiness, notes of exotic fruit contrasted with a hint of bitter orange and a pleasant nuttiness. Time on lees gives this white an elegant texture. Open this bottle up with mildly spiced fish tacos.
Château la Négly 2021 Rosé- Languedoc, France $25.95 This Château has existed since the 1700’s and is currently under the care of the Paux-Rosset Family. Claude Paux-Rosset is married to Jean who is the owner and winemaker. She runs the winery and is involved in day to day operations. Their daughter has joined them as their export manager. This wine is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault from happy, sun kissed grapes, this wine is refreshing as a wave washing over you on the beach. It’s exotic and dry with generous notes of juicy cherry, ripe strawberries, white peach, a generous dollop of grapefruit and a hint of salt. Pair this up with a roasted chicken, simple pasta dishes, or your post-yoga glow.
Melea Single Estate Red- Terra Alta, Spain $24.95 Made up of mostly Garnacha and some Syrah. The warm Mediterranean sunshine in Terra Alta gives this wine a deep cherry red color with some purple hues. Notes of ripe strawberries, blackberries, black pepper and a hint of smoke. Organic and Biodynamic, these wines are also part of the Long Wines Family, headed by winemaker Elena Ramos. Pair this wine with beef short ribs or another braised red meat.
Experience Wines 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon- California, United States $39.85 This wine is an ode to the love story of Travis and Catherine Vale. They met in New Zealand on the “Kiwi Experience” tour bus. They ended up getting married, coming back to California and eventually starting their winery named Experience. Catherine grew up in the beverage industry, her father was a master brewer in London. This top selling wine goes great with harder cheeses or your favourite cut of beef.
