Rocks & Generations
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In July of 2015 I visited a winery in southeast Spain's sun-kissed region of Jumilla, the stop was part of a larger adventure around the country with a small group of industry colleagues. The winemaker, Elena, and her small team welcomed us by testing our coordination straight away, challenging us to catch a taste of a local white wine flowing from a porrón. We toured the vineyards and orchards covered by “risca”, a dialect term for the layer of rocks (pictured here) that protect the soil and make agriculture possible in this arid place, They preserve humidity from the little rain that falls beneath their shade and reflect light back up to the the bush vines and apricot and almond trees that persevere in an unlikely terrain. The estate lives between two mountain ranges, La Solana Sopalmo and La Rejoice del Medio. The risca formed in the mountains and traveled down to the valley.
We heard the history of Elena's grandfather who was the first in her family to produce wine as a business rather than for personal consumption, and of her father who greatly improved the quality of the production before Elena led the way to bottling under the family's name. Elena's wines were very good- Monastrell-focused with a little Syrah… Mediterranean, like the lavender and thyme brush that grow naturally around the property. We ate rabbit and snail paella from the largest pan I've still ever seen while sitting in the middle of the tank and barrel room telling travel stories and poking fun at carefree things with Elena's team in cobbled Spanglish. I can't remember at what point in the day we learned that Elena's father had passed within a week of our visit, but I do remember wondering how she could possibly do this… hosting a handful-and-a-half of…though we didn't feel like it in the moment…Strangers. But it became clear by observing her diligence and grace that this was the way she found her father, how she would keep him alive, through sharing the story and warmth and fruit of their family's place in time.
Our Eighth Dahling Wine Bundle has been living in the wild and we think it's properly handsome. Details are below- Happy Day, Dads!
Oh, we carry Spirits now, too!
We're slow-rolling in a special little selection…keep an eye out, more on this soon.
We'll see you at the Shop.
We've been building a “Cellar Wall” of curated collectibles- some with age already “under their belt”, some with great potential for more.
They make thoughtful gifts for curious collectors, novice and expert alike…or a solid something for yourself.
We'll feature one in each month's newsletter. Here goes!
In 1966, the year Brunello di Montalcino was declared an official appellation (first a DOC, eventually becoming a DOCG in 1980), Nello Baricci, a winemaker from humble farming roots woke up early, went to town, and was the first person standing in line to register the small estate he and his family had worked hard to purchase. Baricci holds the first official license of the appellation. In 1967 Nello was one of the founders of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, an association of producers with the aim of protecting, defending and promoting their wine whose prestige was on the rise. His daughter and son-in-law, and eventually grandsons, took over the production of their 12-hectare estate ~with just 5 hectares planted to vine~ on the hill of Montosoli. Montosoli is considered the unofficial grand cru of Montalcino for its elevation and exposure, lending to complex, age-worthy wines. Just 3 producers hold land on the hill, Baricci being the only one whose “entire” (tiny) production exists there. Baricci's Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino are formidable, traditional, tasty, and certainly reward to those with patience. In the very best vintages ~2016 being a very good one of late~ they produce a Reserva named for Nello who says, “what you receive from the earth comes from all that you gave to the earth”.
The Eighth Edition of Dahling Wine Bundles is Here
It's a Fathers-Day-Themed Two-Pack featuring our favorite Tavel, the “King of Rosé” for the Kings of our Hearts and a Charbono from Napa Valley- juicy, bold, and just a little quirky. ;-)
Dahling Wine Bundles are thematic collections, packed real pretty, and include a card for each bottle with details and playful pairing inspirations.
Bundle prices vary per edition/ selection and always include a built-in 10% discount.
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