Explorer’s Club: June 2026

Click below to read more about the wines this month!

Gateway Vinho Verde 2024 Portugal

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the producer’s website)

Varietal Traditional blend: Trajadura, Loureiro, Arinto

Location Vinho Verde DOC in northwestern Portugal: the Amarante sub-region

Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar through 2027

Tasting notes:

Light, crisp, and wildly refreshing, this Vinho Verde bursts with citrus, green apple, pear, white peach, and subtle tropical fruit alongside delicate floral notes and a gentle natural spritz. The blend of native Portuguese grapes gives the wine lively acidity and a clean mineral finish that keeps each sip bright and energetic. Low in alcohol and effortlessly easy to drink, it captures everything people love about classic Vinho Verde — fresh, zippy, and made for warm weather afternoons.

Food pairings!

Its bright acidity and slight fizz make this an incredibly versatile food wine. Pair it with fresh oysters, shrimp, grilled fish, sushi, ceviche, salads, goat cheese, or simple vegetable dishes where the wine’s citrusy freshness can shine. It is equally at home beside salty snacks, picnic foods, Thai dishes, fresh herbs, and light Mediterranean fare. Chilled well, it becomes the perfect patio wine for seafood towers, summer lunches, and anything enjoyed near sunshine and conversation.

From Them to You!

Gateway Wines focuses on producing approachable, traditional Portuguese wines that highlight freshness, regional character, and easy drinkability. Their Vinho Verde is crafted in the classic style of northern Portugal: low alcohol, bright acidity, subtle effervescence, and a focus on indigenous grape varieties. Rather than heavy oak or richness, the winery emphasizes purity, vibrancy, and the refreshing qualities that have made Vinho Verde one of Portugal’s most beloved everyday wines.

The wines are sourced from vineyards in the lush Vinho Verde region, where Atlantic breezes and granite soils help preserve acidity and aromatic lift. Gateway’s style leans into the casual, convivial spirit of Portuguese wine culture — bottles designed for seafood, warm afternoons, shared meals, and drinking young while the fruit and freshness are at their peak.

Pa Road Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the producer’s website)

Varietal 100% Sauvignon Blanc

Location Marlborough, New Zealand

Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar through 2028

Tasting notes:

Explosively aromatic and unmistakably Marlborough, this Sauvignon Blanc bursts with lime zest, passionfruit, gooseberry, nectarine, grapefruit, and fresh-cut herbs alongside subtle hints of black currant leaf and wet stone minerality. The palate is bright, concentrated, and intensely refreshing, balancing vibrant citrus and tropical fruit with crisp acidity and a clean, saline finish. There is both energy and precision here — the kind of Sauvignon Blanc that feels immediately lively and mouthwatering from the first sip.

Food pairings!

Its zippy acidity and citrus-driven freshness make this an ideal wine for seafood and bright, herb-forward dishes. Pair it with oysters, shrimp, ceviche, grilled fish, sushi, or mussels, where the wine’s minerality and tropical fruit notes shine beautifully. It is equally excellent with goat cheese, fresh salads, asparagus, green herbs, Thai cuisine, or lighter chicken dishes with citrus and herbs. The wine’s crisp finish and aromatic lift make it especially refreshing on warm afternoons alongside patio foods, shellfish towers, or simple summer meals.

From Them to You!

te Pā Family Vineyards is a family-owned winery deeply rooted in the history and landscape of Marlborough, New Zealand. Founded by the MacDonald family, whose Māori heritage in the region dates back more than 800 years, the winery emphasizes a strong connection between land, culture, and sustainable farming. Their vineyards sit near the Wairau Bar, one of the most historically significant sites in New Zealand and a uniquely coastal growing area shaped by ocean breezes, river stones, and abundant sunshine.

Under the direction of acclaimed winemaker Sam Bennett, te Pā has earned international recognition for wines that combine classic Marlborough intensity with balance and refinement. The Pa Road label focuses on approachable, expressive wines that highlight purity of fruit, freshness, and regional character, delivering vibrant New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with both energy and a strong sense of place.

 Guillaume Gonnet Cotes du Rhone ‘Le Reveur’ Blanc, France

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the producer’s website)

Varietal Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne

Location Côtes du Rhône AOC, Southern Rhône Valley, France

Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar through 2029

Tasting notes:

Bright, aromatic, and wonderfully expressive, “Le Rêveur” opens with layers of grapefruit, apricot, white peach, citrus blossom, and fresh flowers alongside hints of wet stone and subtle Mediterranean herbs. Viognier brings lush orchard fruit and floral perfume, while Grenache Blanc and Roussanne add texture, minerality, and a lightly saline finish. Medium-bodied yet energetic, the wine balances Rhône richness with refreshing acidity, creating a white that feels both vibrant and beautifully textured from start to finish.

Food pairings!

This is a beautifully versatile Southern Rhône white that shines with seafood, roast chicken, fresh cheeses, and Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Pair it with grilled shrimp, halibut, scallops, herb-roasted chicken, creamy risotto, or lemony pasta dishes where the wine’s citrus and mineral character can lift richer flavors. The floral aromatics and gentle texture also work wonderfully alongside goat cheese, burrata, roasted vegetables, hummus, and herb-driven dishes with thyme, fennel, or rosemary. Served chilled, it is equally lovely as an aperitif with olives, dips, and salty snacks on a warm evening.

From Them to You!

Guillaume Gonnet comes from a long line of Rhône Valley winemakers, with family roots deeply tied to Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the southern Rhône. After gaining winemaking experience abroad in Australia and New Zealand, Guillaume returned to France with a fresh perspective focused on expressive, terroir-driven wines made with minimal intervention and a strong sense of place. His wines emphasize purity of fruit, balance, and the individuality of Rhône grape varieties rather than heavy oak or excessive extraction.

Today, Guillaume Gonnet produces a range of wines throughout the southern Rhône, crafting approachable bottlings alongside more serious appellation wines. “Le Rêveur,” which translates to “The Dreamer,” captures that philosophy beautifully — a fresh, energetic Rhône white that balances generosity, minerality, and drinkability while showcasing the warmth and character of southern France.

Villa Trasqua Chianti Classico Italy

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the producer’s website)

Varietal 82% Sangiovese, 5% Cab Sauv, 5% Cab Franc, 4% Merlot, 3% Alicante Bouschet

Location Chianti Classico D.O.C.G., Italy//Tuscany

Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar through 2030

Tasting notes:

Classic and beautifully Tuscan, this Chianti Classico opens with vibrant aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry, violet, blood orange, and wild herbs layered alongside notes of licorice, vanilla, baking spice, and subtle earth. On the palate, the wine is lively and structured, balancing bright red fruit with fresh acidity and fine, dusty tannins. The small additions of Bordeaux varietals add depth and texture without overshadowing the unmistakable Sangiovese character. Elegant yet energetic, it finishes with lingering cherry, spice, and savory mineral notes that make it both food-friendly and deeply expressive of Tuscany.

Food pairings!

This is a quintessential Italian table wine that shines alongside rustic, savory dishes. Pair it with pasta Bolognese, lasagna, pizza with sausage or mushrooms, roast chicken, grilled steak, or herb-roasted pork, where the wine’s acidity and tannin beautifully complement rich tomato sauces and roasted meats. Earthy dishes like mushroom risotto, truffle pasta, lentils, and rosemary potatoes also bring out the wine’s herbal and savory side. Aged cheeses such as Pecorino Toscano or Parmigiano-Reggiano are especially excellent pairings, while the wine’s bright acidity keeps each bite feeling fresh and lively.

From Them to You!

Villa Trasqua is a historic Tuscan estate located in the heart of Chianti Classico, with winemaking roots that trace back centuries. Today, the estate is known for producing organically farmed wines that highlight the character of Sangiovese and the unique terroir of Chianti Classico. Surrounded by rolling hills, olive groves, and forests near Siena, the vineyards benefit from high elevations, limestone-rich soils, and ideal sun exposure that help create wines with freshness, structure, and aromatic complexity.

Under the guidance of renowned consulting enologist Franco Bernabei, Villa Trasqua has focused heavily on sustainability, massal selection, and minimal-intervention farming practices. The winery has been fully organic since 2014 and emphasizes balance, elegance, and a strong sense of place over heavy extraction or excessive oak. Their wines combine traditional Tuscan character with modern precision, producing Chianti Classico that feels both authentic and polished.

LA VIDAUBANAISE LA PLAGE ROSE 2025 France

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the producer’s website)

Varietal Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Merlot

Location Provence, France

Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar through 2027

Tasting notes:

Bright, breezy, and unmistakably Provençal, “La Plage” opens with aromas of ripe strawberry, raspberry, watermelon, white peach, and fresh cherries alongside delicate floral notes and a touch of seaside minerality. Light-bodied and crisp, the palate balances juicy red fruit with refreshing acidity and a clean, dry finish that makes each sip feel effortlessly refreshing. There is an easygoing elegance to the wine — the kind of rosé built for warm afternoons, salty air, and long summer evenings.

Food pairings!

This is a quintessential patio and seafood rosé that shines with light Mediterranean fare. Pair it with grilled shrimp, oysters, niçoise salad, fresh goat cheese, sushi, ceviche, grilled vegetables, or simple herb-roasted chicken where the wine’s bright acidity and mineral freshness can lift the flavors beautifully. It is equally excellent with charcuterie boards, salty snacks, picnic foods, tomato-based summer dishes, and anything enjoyed outdoors in the sunshine. Chilled well, it becomes the perfect companion for beach days, backyard dinners, and leisurely aperitif hours.

From Them to You!

Maîtres Vignerons de la Vidaubanaise was established in 1922 in the town of Vidauban in the heart of Provence and today works with hundreds of hectares of sustainably farmed vineyards throughout the Var region. Located on the limestone foothills of the Maures massif between the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps, the cooperative has long specialized in wines that capture the relaxed, sun-soaked character of southern France.

The winery is particularly known for fresh, approachable rosés that emphasize purity of fruit, balance, and regional character. “La Plage,” which translates to “The Beach,” perfectly reflects that philosophy — an easygoing, vibrant Provençal rosé crafted to evoke sunshine, coastal breezes, and the casual elegance of Mediterranean living. Through sustainable farming and careful parcel-by-parcel vinification, the cooperative consistently produces wines that are refreshing, expressive, and unmistakably rooted in Provence.

LOUIS PERE AND FILS Pablo Picasso PINOT NOIR FRANCE

(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the producer’s website)

Varietal Pinot Noir

Location Vin de France

Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar through 2029

Tasting notes:

Smooth, approachable, and full of juicy red fruit, this Pinot Noir opens with aromas of cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry, and plum layered alongside hints of soft spice, dried herbs, and subtle earth. The palate is silky and medium-bodied, with gentle tannins and bright acidity that keep the wine lively and easy to drink. Warmer southern French fruit gives the wine a rounder, more generous character than many lighter Pinot Noirs, while still maintaining the grape’s signature elegance and freshness. Soft, expressive, and crowd-pleasing, it is the kind of red that feels immediately inviting from the first sip.

Food pairings!

This versatile Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with roast chicken, salmon, pork tenderloin, mushroom dishes, charcuterie, and herb-roasted vegetables. Its silky texture and bright red fruit make it especially good with duck, turkey, creamy pastas, or earthy dishes like mushroom risotto and truffle fries. Soft cheeses such as Brie or Camembert also complement the wine’s gentle texture and subtle spice notes. Light enough for casual dinners yet layered enough for more elegant meals, it is an easy companion for everything from weeknight roast chicken to long, relaxed dinners with friends.

From Them to You!

Louis Père et Fils is a French négociant-style producer focused on approachable, regionally expressive wines that overdeliver in value and drinkability. The “Pablo Picasso” label reflects a playful, artistic approach to wine branding while still emphasizing classic French varietals and easygoing everyday enjoyment. Rather than heavily extracted or oak-driven wines, the winery focuses on balance, fruit purity, and accessibility — wines meant for the table and for sharing.

Drawing fruit from vineyards across southern France, Louis Père et Fils crafts wines that highlight ripe fruit, freshness, and a softer, more approachable interpretation of traditional French varieties. Their Pinot Noir leans into elegance and drinkability, offering a fruit-forward style that remains versatile, food-friendly, and unmistakably French in spirit.