Being a small business owner is no easy feat these days, and that includes wineries. And since wine sales are in decline, it remains crucial that we continue to support small domestic wineries.
We also should note that there never has been a better time to enjoy domestic wine. The diversity of styles is vast, and the quality coming from all corners of the country is exceptional.
This week, we are focusing on wines from three small California wineries whose products are perfect for Valentine’s Day and beyond. These wineries are connected deeply to the land and are making vibrant, low-alcohol, low-intervention wines. If you hear California and think only of big, beefy reds and buttery chardonnays, here is a chance to gain a different perspective.
These three wines all are light, lively reds — chillable, crushable and incredibly food versatile. Instead of flowers or chocolate, we encourage you to consider sharing one of these delightful wines with your valentine.
The Joy Fantastic gamay Santa Rita Hills. The husband-wife team behind this wine planted their vineyard in 2014, adding gamay in 2021. The Joy Fantastic is a labor of love that smells of the earth and tastes of savory wild strawberries and rhubarb. This will pique the interest of die-hard French wine drinkers and California fans alike.
Martha Stoumen Post Flirtation red. Stoumen brings deep dedication to her wines. From the land that she farms personally to the growers she partners with, sustainability and patience triumph over mass production. She also brings a heavy dose of romance, with wines that have names like Post Flirtation and Honeymoon. Post Flirtation red is her twist on the famed California zinfandel, with a heavy dose of carignan to bring a deep, juicy cherry flavor. This is a natural partner for pizza night.
Amevive Nothing But Love Santa Barbara County. Alice Anderson makes tiny quantities of many types of wine, mostly focused on grapes that originate in France’s Rhône Valley. This wine is the most full-bodied of our lineup, with rustic, dark blue and purple fruit and an unexpected freshness. Half cool-climate syrah, half gamay, this wine is sulfur-free, with, as its name states, nothing added but love.
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