Wine Club Release May 2026

The Chalmers Family has specialized in working in sustainable, warm climate viticulture in Heathcote, in the northern part of Victoria, in the South East of Australia.  For three decades they have been fine-tuning the work, and also are the leader in the importation and propagation of Italian varieties that work in the local climate—as the Australian winemakers explore different opportunities beyond Shiraz, Italian varietals have shown beautifully in Victoria as well as McLaren Vale, among other places (in addition to this Vermentino, Tellurian Fiano & Nero d’Avola, also from Heathcote, made from rootstock from the Chalmers nursery, are delicious and on the shelf at Ace!)
The warm and dry conditions of Heathcote mirror certain parts of Italy, and it’s beautiful to see the complimentary expressions of the varietals from different continents.  Vermentino is grown in various parts of Italy, is especially well known in Sardinia; the local clone in Piedmont is called Favorita, and is known as Rolle in the south of France.  The Chalmers family first imported Vermentino vines in 2002, and produced the first wine from them in 2004.  Grown on Red Cambrian soils, this wine is crisp and bright, with racy acidity balanced by white floral aromas, tropical fruits, and grapefruit notes.  Lovely with seafood dishes, or just sitting outside enjoying a perfect spring or summer day. 
Australia has a glorious collection of particular and delicious terroirs for all sorts of wines, with a vast difference between the wines of quality from smaller areas and producers and the mass produced generic wines.  As with so many places, when you focus in on the details, the results are delicious!  More information at Chalmers.wine was one of the ‘vignerons d’art’ who were instrumental in restoring the reputation of the Muscadet appellation in the middle of the 20th century.  He founded Domaine du Grand Mouton around that time, focused around the Grand Mouton vineyard, showing how care for the land and the grapes can produce exceptional wines. 
This traditional method sparkling wine is from the far north-west of the Loire Valley, near Nantes, made from 100% Melon de Bourgogne grapes, organically grown within the appellation of Muscadet Sevre et Maine.  These grapes are from the Grand Mouton vineyard, chosen from the oldest vines, planted in 1937 and 1945, on gneiss and granite soils.  The grapes are hand harvested, and spend six months on the lees after the primary fermentation.  The secondary fermentation is triggered using yeast from the primary fermentation, and spends an additional twelve months on the lees before disgorgement. 
This sparkler is fresh, wonderfully crisp, and very dry.Showing light notes of brioche from its time on the lees, the flavors are balanced by lemon curd, Asian pear, with a delicious acidic backbone.Wonderful as an aperitif, on its own or with light dishes.

Teutonic Wine Company was born out of the inspiration of a couple in the restaurant industry in Portland, Oregon, where their minds were blown by a German wine tasting that opened their eyes to the great diversity of wines that can be made out of the same grape, in the same region.  Their love of Mosel Riesling expanded to Pinot Noir and other cool climate varieties that can grow so beautifully in Western Oregon, and when they had a chance to plant a vineyard on a friend’s land a few years later, they jumped at it.  They learned on the job while growing their own vines and working for existing wineries, and made their first few barrels in the fall of 2008.  They make wine from their own vineyards, and also buy grapes to expand production, experimenting with different styles and small batches.  They work only with vineyards that are dry-farmed, and prefer older vines and cooler sites.  The wines are fermented only with wild yeasts sourced from the specific vineyard sites.
This single vineyard ‘Red Blend’ can code-switch beautifully, hitting the spot as a chillable red or a dark rosé, it’s like spring in a bottle—lush floral notes balanced with perfect fresh herbaceous undertones and tart red fruit notes.Great with a variety of foods, particularly salty antipasti, cheeses, and fish.Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir might not be a traditional blend,but this co-fermentation has a perfect finish.More at Teutonicwines.com

Domaine Georges Lignier et Fils is a family owned fourth generation wine Domaine based in Morey Saint Denis.  Benoit Stehly has been running the Domaine for almost 20 years, after working alongside his uncle for a decade before that.  Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains is a regional appellation created in 1937 that has often been considered an afterthought through the years.  A blend of Pinot Noir (minimum 1/3) and Gamay (maximum 2/3), it can produce a beautifully accessible Burgundy with lovely balanced structure and flavor.   This Passe-Tout-Grains is a traditional blend of 2/3 Pinot Noir and 1/3 Gamay is sourced from three parcels in Morey Saint Denis, a much higher pedigree than your average Passe-Tout-Grains.  The varietals are harvested and vinified separately before blending, aged exclusively in steel tank.  Well structured, fresh and balanced, and easy to drink, this can pair with almost anything: light meats, chicken, salads, quiche, and more.