March 2025 Bottle Club Selections

The following wines are a part of our brand-new Bottle Club! Below you’ll find the handpicked selections provided to members this month. If you’d like to learn more or are considering joining please visit the bottle club page on our site or ask us about it the next time you visit us. Cheers!

Windswept Vineyards

Each of these wines has a unique relationship with wind—some depend on cooling breezes for freshness, while others thrive in high-altitude or volcanic conditions where winds shape structure and intensity. Find your wines below, and also read about the wines in the other levels.

Christelle Betton Crozes-Hermitage ‘Elixir’ 2023 (Northern Rhône, France)

Winds & Vineyard Influence:

The Mistral wind is a game-changer in Crozes-Hermitage. This powerful, cold wind:

• Sweeps down the Rhône Valley, keeping the vineyards dry and reducing disease pressure.

• Slows ripening, helping the grapes retain fresh acidity and bright aromatics.

• Enhances minerality, as it whips through the region’s stony, granitic soils, concentrating the flavors.

Tasting Notes:

This is a vibrant and textured white wine, made from Marsanne. Expect aromas of honeysuckle, white peach, and toasted almonds, with a silky mouthfeel and a crisp, mineral-driven finish. There’s a touch of spice and a hint of beeswax, showing the Rhône’s signature depth and complexity.

Food Pairings:

• Seared scallops with lemon butter (to match the wine’s richness and freshness).

• Roast chicken with thyme and garlic (to bring out its herbal and nutty notes).

• Butternut squash risotto (to complement its creamy texture and stone fruit flavors).

Valle dell’Acate ‘Zagra’ Grillo 2021 (Sicily, Italy)

Winds & Vineyard Influence:

Sicily is windy by nature, and Valle dell’Acate’s vineyards near the southern coast benefit from strong Mediterranean breezes. These winds are crucial because they:

• Keep the vines dry, preventing rot and mildew in this warm climate.

• Cool the grapes, preserving acidity and fresh citrus flavors.

• Enhance minerality, as the salty sea breeze interacts with the vineyard’s sandy-clay soils.

Tasting Notes:

This Grillo is all about brightness! Think zesty lemon, ripe peach, and a hint of jasmine. There’s a crisp minerality that gives it a mouthwatering freshness, balanced with a touch of Mediterranean herbs.

Food Pairings:

• Grilled seafood

• Fried calamari (the acidity cuts through the crisp batter)

• Vegetable risottos or pasta

• Fresh cheeses like ricotta or burrata

Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Terroir Valle de Uco 2020 (Mendoza, Argentina)

Winds & Vineyard Influence:

The Andes mountains play a major role in this wine’s character. The Zonda wind, a dry, powerful wind from the mountains, helps shape the vineyards by:

• Cooling the grapes at night, preserving acidity and balance.

• Reducing excess moisture, ensuring healthy, concentrated fruit.

• Encouraging deep root growth, which enhances the wine’s minerality.

Tasting Notes:

This is a structured, elegant Malbec—not the jammy kind. It’s got deep blackberry, plum, and wild herbs, with a graphite-like minerality and firm but polished tannins.

Food Pairings:

• Grilled steak – The wine’s acidity and tannins cut through the richness.

• Lamb with rosemary – Brings out the herbal notes.

• Mushroom risotto – The earthiness pairs beautifully.

• Aged cheeses like Manchego or Comté.

Christelle Betton Crozes-Hermitage ‘Espiègle’ 2022 (Northern Rhône, France)

Winds & Vineyard Influence:

Like the ‘Elixir’ 2023, this Syrah is shaped by the Mistral wind, which:

• Cleanses the vines, keeping disease pressure low.

• Cools the grapes, preserving acidity and aromatics.

• Creates smaller, thick-skinned berries, leading to concentrated flavors.

Tasting Notes:

This Syrah is the perfect expression of Crozes-Hermitage: bright red fruit, pepper, and fresh herbs. Aromas of raspberry, black cherry, and a hint of violet greet you on the nose, while the palate is fresh and juicy with a touch of spice and smoky minerality. The tannins are present but not overpowering, giving the wine a smooth, elegant finish.

Food Pairings:

• Grilled meats like lamb or steak (the peppery and savory notes of the wine complement grilled flavors beautifully).

• Charcuterie boards (a mix of salty, fatty meats will balance the wine’s structure).

• Roasted vegetables with herbs (to bring out the earthy, herbal aspects of the wine).

Terre Nere Etna Bianco 2023 (Sicily, Italy)

Winds & Vineyard Influence:

The Sirocco wind, a hot, dry wind from North Africa, influences Etna’s high-altitude vineyards, along with cooling sea breezes. These winds:

• Prevent disease, crucial for organic farming.

• Slow ripening, enhancing freshness and minerality.

• Carry volcanic dust, which adds a mineral complexity.

Tasting Notes:

Aromatic and crisp, with notes of green apple, lemon zest, and wet stone. There’s a saline quality from the ocean breeze, giving it a mouthwatering finish.

Food Pairings:

• Raw oysters (the salinity complements the wine’s minerality).

• Pasta with clams and garlic.

• Grilled fish with lemon and herbs.

Mann ‘Happy Lemon’ Riesling 2022 (Alsace, France)

Winds & Vineyard Influence:

Alsace is protected from Atlantic storms by the Vosges Mountains, meaning it’s one of France’s driest wine regions. However, the Foehn wind, a warm, dry wind from the mountains, plays a major role by:

• Ripening the grapes slowly, creating balanced sugar and acidity.

• Preventing fungal disease, crucial in cool climates.

• Enhancing aromatics, making the wine more expressive.

Tasting Notes:

Despite the playful name, this Alsace Riesling is dry, precise, and intensely mineral-driven. Expect zesty lemon, crisp green apple, and a hint of white peach on the nose, with underlying notes of wet stone and delicate white flowers. On the palate, it’s racy and electric, with mouthwatering acidity and a long, stony finish. There’s a touch of salinity that makes it incredibly refreshing and food-friendly.

Food Pairings:

• Oysters or fresh seafood – The wine’s bright acidity and minerality enhance briny flavors.

• Spicy Thai or Vietnamese cuisine – Its crispness cuts through heat while complementing citrusy and herbal notes.

• Goat cheese with honey – The wine’s sharpness balances the tangy cheese and subtle sweetness.

Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Gualtallary 2019 (Mendoza, Argentina)

Winds & Vineyard Influence:

The Gualtallary vineyards in Mendoza’s Uco Valley are influenced by two major winds: the Zonda and the cold Andean night winds. The Zonda is a hot, dry, and powerful wind that descends from the Andes, reducing humidity and stressing the vines. In contrast, after sunset, cold mountain winds sweep down from the peaks, rapidly lowering temperatures and creating a strong diurnal shift. This cycle of intense daytime warmth and nighttime cooling, driven by these winds, plays a crucial role in shaping the vineyard’s climate and grape development. The Zonda and Andean winds:

• Thicken the grape skins, leading to intense tannins and deep color.
• Preserve acidity, making for a fresher, more structured Malbec.

• Blow away excess moisture, helping organic farming thrive.

Tasting Notes:

A more serious, structured Malbec, with black cherry, cassis, graphite, and a smoky mineral edge. Firm tannins and a long, savory finish.

Food Pairings:

• Braised short ribs.

• Grilled venison with rosemary.

• Aged cheddar or blue cheese.

Antoniolo Gattinara Riserva DOCG 2018 (Piedmont, Italy)

Winds & Vineyard Influence:

Gattinara sits in the foothills of the Alps, where cold mountain breezes influence Nebbiolo grapes by:

• Retaining acidity and structure, crucial for aging potential.

• Encouraging slow ripening, leading to complex flavors.

• Intensifying tannins, making the wine age-worthy.

Tasting Notes:

Elegant yet powerful, with red cherry, dried roses, truffle, and spice. The tannins are bold but refined, with a long, earthy finish.

Food Pairings:

• Wild mushroom risotto.

• Aged Parmigiano Reggiano.

• Osso buco.

Sierra Cantabria Reserva Única 2018 (Rioja, Spain)

Winds & Vineyard Influence:

Rioja is shaped by the Cierzo wind, a strong, dry wind from the Ebro Valley that:

• Cools the vines, slowing ripening for elegant wines.

• Thickens the skins, enhancing tannins and color.

• Reduces fungal disease, which is key for organic viticulture.

Tasting Notes:

A classic Rioja blend—blackberry, tobacco, vanilla, and spice from oak aging. Silky tannins and a long, smoky finish.

Food Pairings:

• Grilled lamb chops with rosemary.

• Chorizo and Manchego cheese.

• Paella with saffron and roasted peppers.

Cottanera Etna Rosso 2022 (Sicily, Italy)

Winds & Vineyard Influence:

Like Terre Nere Etna Bianco, this wine is influenced by the Sirocco and sea breezes, which:

• Prevent disease, allowing for organic farming.

• Enhance minerality, giving the wine a volcanic edge.

• Balance ripening, keeping acidity high.

Tasting Notes:

A light-bodied yet structured Nerello Mascalese, with cranberry, wild strawberry, and smoky earthiness. Silky tannins and a savory finish.

Food Pairings:

• Roast pork with fennel.

• Grilled salmon with herbs.

• Eggplant caponata.

Avancia Mencía Viñas Viejas 2022 (Valdeorras, Spain)

Winds & Vineyard Influence:

Valdeorras sits in a wind tunnel between the Atlantic and inland Spain. The cooling Atlantic breezes:

• Keep the grapes fresh and aromatic.

• Reduce excess heat, slowing ripening.

• Enhance floral and mineral notes.

Tasting Notes:

Juicy and bright, with red cherry, pomegranate, and crushed rocks. Silky and refreshing with a floral lift.

Food Pairings:

• Grilled beef skewers with chimichurri sauce.

• Roast pork with apple compote.

• Lentil stew with chorizo.

Brotte Gigondas La Marasque 2021 (Rhône, France)

Winds & Vineyard Influence:

Like Crozes-Hermitage, Gigondas is dominated by the Mistral wind, which:

• Reduces disease pressure, crucial for Grenache and Syrah.

• Enhances tannin structure, making the wine more age-worthy.

• Brings aromatic complexity, keeping the fruit fresh.

Tasting Notes:

Rich yet elegant, with blackberry, dried herbs, black pepper, and garrigue (wild Provençal herbs). Bold but smooth.

Food Pairings:

• Braised short ribs with rosemary and garlic.

• Grilled lamb with thyme and garlic.

• Beef bourguignon.