KISSES PINK VIOGNIER

Sunny, summery days, evenings, and nights

Keep this little disco ball chilled

Blair and Caroline Guthrie are making honest wines, farmed responsibly. Their baby side project (only 600 cases a year) is filled with so much love – their wines are comforting and lighthearted as a Sunday morning dance party in your bathrobe. Beneath that, they are strongly focused on preserving and encouraging the good in the world – environmentally, ethically and everything in between.

They seek out some of the best in the biz farmers in the region, who are doing things the right way in the vineyards. Using the by-product of sugar cane processing, their corks look a little different, but they’re totally carbon neutral. Eschewing capsules entirely, they’re saving waste on that front too. They also support cool young artists they trawl up on the interweb for their labels.

Have you seen it?! Kidding! This pretty little pink baby was a solution to a couple of challenges – drought, fires and potential smoke taint. The solution? Get creative! Which is exactly what Blair did! Inspired by a technique called Ripasso used in Italy where lighter Valpolicella wine is ‘repassed’ over the skins of punchier Amarone to pull some colour, texture and flavour, he did the same thing with Viognier (a white grape!) and Pinot Noir skins. Bada-bing, bada-boom – pink Vio!

Place: Mendocino County, California, USA
Grape: Viognier (with Pinot Noir skins)
Style: Cute & crushable
Ingredients: Grapes, sulfites