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Champagne Club: February 2026

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La Petite Montagne Premier Cru Extra Brut Champagne Montagne de Reims, France

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The Moment

This is Champagne for people who notice texture. The kind you open before dinner, pour without ceremony, and suddenly realize the room has slowed down.

Fresh, saline, quietly complex — La Petite Montagne is about place, not performance.

What It Feels Like

Aromatics
Bright and expressive from the first pour: crisp pear and apple skin, lemon zest, grapefruit, and a hint of blood orange. Underneath, you’ll find white flowers, subtle herbs, and gentle notes of brioche, hazelnut, and pastry from extended lees aging. There’s even a whisper of straw and smoke that adds depth without heaviness.

Palate
The sip is immediate and energetic. Fine bubbles carry citrus and white fruit across the palate, framed by clean acidity and a taut, dry structure. It’s lively but grounded — refreshing without being sharp.

Finish
The finish is the signature. Saline, savory, and persistent, with a chalky, sea-spray quality that lingers and pulls you back for another sip. Long, mouthwatering, and deeply satisfying.

Why We Love This Bottle

Because it proves Champagne doesn’t need sweetness or excess to be generous. This bottle is about tension, minerality, and quiet confidence — the kind of wine that pairs effortlessly with food, conversation, and unplanned moments. It’s Champagne for the table, not just the toast.

The Details

  • Style: Extra Brut Champagne
  • Grapes: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
  • Body: Medium, driven by freshness and tension
  • Texture: Fine mousse with a mineral backbone
  • Farming & Place: Premier Cru fruit from the Montagne de Reims

Perfect With

From the Shop

  • Espinaler Mussels or Sardines — briny meets briny
  • Razor clams or scallops in sauce
  • Olive oil & sea salt crackers with a simple cheese spread

At Home

  • Oysters or shellfish
  • Potato chips (always yes)
  • Light tapas, anchovies, or salty snacks

An ideal aperitif Champagne — especially when food is involved.

Category – Grower Champagne

Oregon Wine Club: February 2026

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Nicolas-Jay · Affinités · Chardonnay · Willamette Valley, Oregon · 2023

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The Moment

This is the bottle you open when you want clarity with comfort.
Bright but grounded. Precise but generous.
A Chardonnay that feels quietly confident — the kind that rewards attention without demanding it.

What It Feels Like

The nose opens with lemon flower, green melon, and citrus blossom, followed by tangerine peel, quince, and river stone. There’s a soft cereal note and a hint of rain-on-rock that keeps everything lifted and clean.

On the palate, the wine is linear and focused, driven by Granny Smith apple, apricot pulp, and stone-fruit minerality. The texture is silky and composed, with subtle French oak adding quiet weight rather than flavor. Acidity carries the wine long and clean, finishing with a gentle saline snap.

This is Chardonnay with tension — bright, mineral, and beautifully resolved.

Why We Love This Bottle

Because it proves Chardonnay doesn’t have to shout to be expressive.
This wine balances precision and generosity — a bottle that works just as well on a quiet night in as it does at a full table. It’s thoughtful, versatile, and deeply food-friendly without ever feeling heavy.

Pair It With (From the Shop)

  • Espinaler White Tuna Belly (Ventresca) — richness meets minerality; olive oil and citrus notes align perfectly
  • Water Crackers + Camembert Cheese Spread — softens the acidity and highlights the wine’s silky texture
  • Galician Mussels in Pickled Sauce — acidity + saline finish = effortless harmony

Also great with: roast chicken, seared scallops, creamy pasta, or simply good bread and olive oil.

The Details

  • Grape: 100% Chardonnay
  • Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon
  • Farming: Sustainable
  • Oak: Subtle, well-integrated French oak
  • Style: Dry, mineral-driven, textured
  • ABV: ~13%

Category – Still White → Crisp & Mineral

Coelho Winery · Pinot Noir · Willamette Valley, Oregon · 2023

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The Moment

This is the bottle you open when you want Pinot in its most honest, joyful form — bright fruit, lifted aromatics, and zero heaviness. It’s made for relaxed nights, shared plates, and that second glass you didn’t plan on.

What It Feels Like

The nose is immediately expressive and playful. Crushed raspberries and red cherries lead, followed by wild herbs, dried lavender, and a subtle citrus lift. There’s a floral, almost pastry-like softness in the background that keeps everything light and inviting rather than sharp.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied but nimble, driven by cranberry and raspberry fruit with a gentle cola note weaving through the mid-palate. Bright, mouthwatering acidity keeps the wine fresh and energetic from start to finish.

The tannins are light and slightly chalky, providing just enough structure without interrupting the flow.

The finish is clean, flavorful, and quietly persistent — refreshing rather than weighty.

Perfect For

Charcuterie and snack boards
Roasted chicken or turkey
Grilled vegetables and mushrooms
Pizza, sliders, or casual comfort food
Lightly chilled drinking

The Vibe Pairing

Playlist energy: Indie folk, soft rock, laid-back afternoon vinyl
Aura color: Raspberry, soft rose, warm clay
Time of day: Late afternoon → early evening → “one more glass”

Why We Love It

This is Pinot Noir that leans into freshness and drinkability without sacrificing character. Bright fruit, lifted aromatics, and balanced structure make it an easy yes — approachable, versatile, and exactly what modern Pinot should feel like.

Category – Light, Fresh & Chillable · Still Red

Washington Wine Club: February 2026

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Itä Wines · Merlot · Walla Walla Valley, Washington · 2022

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The Moment

This is Merlot with a pulse.

Bright, energetic, and quietly expressive — the kind of bottle you open when you want freshness without sacrificing depth. It’s a red that works just as well slightly chilled as it does at the table, especially when food, conversation, and a second glass are all part of the plan.

What It Feels Like

The nose opens with sour cherry, cranberry, and blood orange peel, layered with pine needle, mint, and dried herbs. There’s a cool, herbal lift that keeps things lively and grounded.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and vibrant, driven by high natural acidity. Flavors of cranberry relish, pomegranate, hibiscus, and citrus-laced white tea move cleanly across the tongue. The tannins are silky and refined, giving the wine structure without weight.

The finish is fresh, crunchy, and persistent — savory, lightly herbal, and immediately inviting another sip.

Why We Love This Bottle

Because it rewrites expectations of Merlot.

This is not plush or heavy — it’s alive, precise, and built for the table. High-elevation fruit, thoughtful restraint, and a style that makes Merlot feel modern again. It’s the kind of wine that converts skeptics and rewards curiosity.

Pair It With

From the shop

  • Olive tapenade or marinated vegetables — acidity meets savory herbs
  • Mixed nuts or Marcona almonds — texture + balance
  • Soft cheese spreads — smooths the edges without muting freshness

At the table

  • Roast chicken or turkey
  • Mushroom dishes or lentils
  • Pork chops, herbed sausages, or weeknight comfort food

This is a food wine first — flexible, forgiving, and quietly versatile.

Category Style

Earthy & Silky
(Bright structure, lifted acidity, fine tannins, food-first energy)

2022 Kiona Vineyards Malbec Red Mountain, Washington

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The Moment

This is the bottle you open when you want something deep, grounding, and generous — a Red Mountain red that brings dark fruit, structure, and warmth without feeling heavy or overworked.

It’s a sit-down wine. A food wine. A “pour one more glass” kind of bottle.

What It Feels Like

The nose opens with brambly berries, black cherry, and plum, followed by blueberry pie, cocoa, and warm baking spice. As it opens, you’ll notice a distinctly Red Mountain edge — graphite, crushed rock, and a touch of smoke.

On the palate, the wine is rich and full-bodied, with layers of blackberry, black plum, and dark cherry. The tannins are present but polished, giving the wine shape and grip without drying it out. Lively acidity keeps everything balanced through a long, savory finish.

Why We Love This Bottle

Because it shows power and restraint. This is Malbec with place — dark fruit, mineral backbone, and structure that makes food taste better instead of stealing the spotlight.

The Details

  • Producer: Kiona Vineyards & Winery
  • Vintage: 2022
  • Region: Red Mountain AVA, Washington
  • Blend:
    • 86% Malbec
    • 11% Carmenère
    • 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Style: Dry, full-bodied
  • Structure: Fine tannins, lifted acidity

What It Pairs With

From the shop:

  • Marcona Almonds or Mixed Nuts — soften the tannins and highlight the fruit
  • Cabernet Sauvignon Cheese Spread — echoes the wine’s dark fruit and spice
  • Olive Tapenade — brings out the savory, mineral side

At the table:

  • Grilled steak or lamb
  • Braised beef or short ribs
  • Mushroom-forward dishes
  • Aged, firm cheeses

How to Enjoy

Serve just below room temperature. This wine opens up nicely with a little air — no rush, no rules.

Category– Bold & Powerful

Specialty Club: February 2026

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Vinska Klet · Bagueri · Pinot Grigio Ramato · Goriška Brda, Slovenia · 2020

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The Moment

This is the bottle you open when you want Pinot Grigio with a backbone — not crisp-and-simple, but textured, copper-toned, and quietly complex. It’s for snack boards that turn into dinner, and for the friend who says “I didn’t know Pinot Grigio could taste like this.”

What It Feels Like

In the glass, it’s unmistakable: gold-yellow with copper/bronze reflections — classic Ramato.

The nose is inviting and layered: ripe pear, acacia flower, and grapefruit, with subtle depth behind it — bread crust, a whisper of vanilla, and gentle oak spice.

On the palate, it’s full-bodied and softly mature, opening with juicy red apple and honeysuckle. Skin contact gives it shape and grip, while a clean line of acidity keeps it lifted. The finish is long and persistent, with a lingering vanilla-satin note that feels warm rather than sweet.

Why We Love This Bottle

Because it’s the perfect “bridge” wine — part white, part orange, all table-friendly. It has texture without heaviness, aromatics without perfume, and enough structure to handle real food. A bottle that makes people curious in the best way.

Pair It With (From the Shop)

  • Espinaler Octopus in Olive Oil — texture-on-texture; the wine’s grip loves the richness of olive oil
  • Espinaler Razor Clams (Brine) — bright, saline pairing that highlights the wine’s grapefruit and mineral edge
  • Manzanilla Olives + Water Crackers — briny snack-board perfection; plays beautifully with Ramato structure

Also great with: salmon, scallops, charcuterie (prosciutto), roast chicken, summer pastas, and medium-spice Asian dishes.

The Details

  • Grape: Pinot Grigio
  • Style: Ramato (skin-contact)
  • Region: Goriška Brda, Slovenia
  • Skin Contact: ~48 hours
  • Fermentation: 80% stainless steel, 20% new barrique (partial malolactic in barrel only)
  • ABV: 13.5%
  • Serve: ~54°F / 12°C
  • Cellar: Drink now, holds well (up to ~10 years)

Category

Still White → Wild & Experimental
(Skin-contact “Ramato” with structure, texture, and a copper hue.)

Provins · Collection Chandra Kurt · Cornalin · Valais, Switzerland · 2021

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The Moment

This is the bottle you open when you want a red with edge and character — dark fruit, alpine energy, and that savory, slightly wild streak that makes the table feel a little more alive.

It’s for cool nights, hearty plates, and conversations that get better once the bottle’s been open for a while.

What It Feels Like

The nose is expressive and lifted, opening with black cherry, blackberry, and blueberry, followed by violet and a faint smoky note. Underneath, there’s a distinctly alpine tone — earth, leather, and a subtle saline/mineral snap that makes it feel unmistakably mountain-grown.

On the palate, it’s dry, full-bodied, and fruit-driven, with sweet red cherry and elderberry meeting deeper black-fruit layers. The structure shows up as firm, slightly rustic tannins and bright acidity that keeps the wine energetic rather than heavy.

The finish is savory and persistent, with lingering dark fruit, gentle smoke, and that signature mineral-saline edge.

Why We Love This Bottle

Because Cornalin is one of those grapes that feels like a secret — expressive, a little wild, and completely food-forward. This is Switzerland showing off: mountain fruit, savory structure, and a bottle that brings curiosity to the table without getting complicated.

Pair It With (From the Shop)

  • Portuguese-Style Cod — rich, olive-oil comfort meets the wine’s acidity and savory grip
  • Small Sardines in Spicy Olive Oil — heat + umami loves structured reds
  • Olive Tapenade + Water Crackers — brine + crunch pulls forward the wine’s mineral edge

Also great with: grilled sausages, lamb, mushroom dishes, lentils, or roast chicken with herbs.

The Details

  • Grape: 100% Cornalin
  • Region: Valais, Switzerland
  • Style: Dry red, structured, savory-leaning
  • Body: Medium-full
  • Structure: Firm tannins, lively acidity
  • Notes: Dark berries, violet, subtle smoke, earth, saline minerality

Category

Still Red → Structured & Savory

Collector’s Club–May 2024

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Zoli Inzolia by Caruso & Minini

From the sun-drenched hills of Sicily, the Zoli Inzolia by Caruso & Minini is a symphony of Mediterranean flavors. This wine, with its delicate straw yellow hue and golden reflections, is a tribute to the meticulous attention to detail during its production. The winery, with a history that whispers tales of the late 1800s, is renowned for its dedication to indigenous varietals and the Inzolia grape. On the nose, it greets you with a fragrant bouquet of just-zested lemon, white peach, and green apple, followed by a chorus of fresh herbs. The palate is a dance of intense citrus and herbaceous notes, culminating in a finish that echoes with salted almonds. It’s a wine that pairs exquisitely with the simplicity of a Sicilian “paranza,” the elegance of fish carpaccio, or the comfort of mushroom pasta. Each sip is a celebration of Sicily’s rich viticultural heritage, a lively wine that stands out for its freshness and pleasant notes, perfect for toasting life’s grand moments and everyday pleasures alike.

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