February 2024 - 12 Club

Montepulciano

Notes of herbs, currants, black cherry, and cocoa.

Vintage:

• 2018

ABV:

• 12.4%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Food Wine

Region: Abruzzo, Italy

The Jasci family has been crafting wine for three generations, with a relentless focus on achieving the utmost quality in every bottle.
The passion for winemaking originated with grandfather Pasquale and his wife Maria in the 1960s. It grew over the years under the stewardship of their son Giuseppe and his wife Irma, who transitioned to organic farming in 1980. Since the early 1990s, this commitment has been passed down to Donatello Jasci and his wife Piera, who now lead the company with the guidance and involvement of their predecessors, bringing with them a wealth of experience and wisdom.
The Jasci winemaking philosophy is rooted in eco-sustainability, respecting the environment while blending tradition and decades of experience to create wines that are truly special. - Minum Selectios

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Region: Weinviertel, Austria

Weingut Dürnberg, renowned for Zweigelt Falkenstein Durnberg, embodies the shared passion and expertise of two exceptional winemakers, Christoph Körner and Michael Moosbrugger. Christoph Körner, a native of Weinviertel, embodies the region's winemaking essence, pioneering the "New Weinviertel Style" with a focus on terroir authenticity and sustainability.

Michael Moosbrugger, a seasoned vintner with extensive international experience, brings a wealth of knowledge to the partnership. Advocating for biodynamic viticulture, he prioritizes health and environmental responsibility in winemaking practices. Together, Körner and Moosbrugger form a dynamic team, infusing innovation and quality into every bottle they produce.

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Region: La Mancha, Spain

Nestled in Spain's La Mancha region, Vinos Indar is a testament to the passion and tradition instilled by its founder, Manuel Requena Molina. Since its establishment in 2005, Manuel, a devoted viticulturist, has dedicated himself to crafting natural wines that honor traditional winemaking.

Certified organic vineyards in the Valdepeñas DO, renowned for their warm climate and sandy soils, provide the foundation for Vinos Indar's creations. Manuel's commitment to minimal intervention is evident in the hand-harvested grapes, fermented in stainless steel tanks, and aged in terracotta jars—a testament to his devotion to traditional methods.

Cinsault

Refreshing and crunchy glou glou with lots of berries, bramble, and minerality to hold up to food or on its own!

Vintage:

• 2020

ABV:

• 13%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Glou Glou, Food Wine

Region: Swartland, South Africa

Tremayne Smith's journey into winemaking began in East London, where he initially pursued a career as a chef. Influenced by his father's passion for wine, he transitioned into the world of winemaking. After completing his studies, he honed his skills as the assistant winemaker and vineyard manager at Sijnn, followed by a stint at Mullineux, before assuming the role of winemaker at Fable. In 2014, Tremayne embarked on his own venture, The Blacksmith, driven by his experiences working with varietals like Cinsault, Carignan, and Grenache, both locally and abroad. The ethos of The Blacksmith centers on crafting natural wines that captivate the senses and resonate with the soul. Tremayne possesses a profound understanding of the nuances involved in producing natural wines.

Airen, Macabeu, Monastrell

Black fruits (think blackberries and plums) with earthy, leathery, smoky notes!

Vintage:

• 2019

ABV:

• 14%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Food Wine

Region: Murcia, Spain

Julia Casado, initially trained in music, discovered her passion for winemaking during a stint at a local winery in Germany's Pfalz region. Upon returning to her hometown of Murcia in 2010, she swiftly emerged as a prominent figure in the Spanish winemaking scene. Focusing primarily on Monastrell, or "la del terreno" as it's known locally, Julia embarked on her own winemaking venture in 2015, aptly named La del Terreno. Renting a vineyard spanning 3.5 hectares in Jumilla, she cultivates fifty-year-old goblet trained vines on sandy loam soils at an altitude of approximately 500 meters. Embracing organic and sustainable practices, Julia's meticulous approach extends from vineyard to winery.

Syrah

Blackberry, cherry, plum, lavender and black pepper.

Vintage:

• 2020

ABV:

• 13.5%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Food Wine

Region: Pella, Greece

Jason Ligas, a leading figure in Greece's natural wine movement, has deep roots in winemaking, having worked alongside his family in the Ligas vineyards. Beyond his family estate, he has lent his expertise to various winemaking projects on Samos and Tinos, collaborating with fellow natural winemakers as a consultant and partner.

Voi Vignes, nestled among the scenic vineyards near Mount Olympus, is Jason's latest venture. Reclaiming neglected vineyards in the old Rapsani appellation, he focuses on three red grape varieties: xinomavro roto, stravroto, and krassato, preserving Greece's viticultural heritage.

Jason Ligas's winemaking ethos is deeply rooted in harmony with nature, finding joy and purpose in his vineyards.

Green apple, pear, citrus, and peach.

Vintage:

• 2021

ABV:

• 14%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Complex

Region: Alsace, France

Christophe Lindenlaub crafts his wines in Dorlisheim, a bustling village along the Alsace wine route, situated about 20 kilometers west and slightly south of Strasbourg. Unlike the picturesque postcard-perfect villages often associated with Alsace, Dorlisheim is a vibrant, working community, more attuned to its local rhythms than catering to tourists. Christophe himself embodies a vibrant aura of positivity and forward momentum. His boundless enthusiasm and unwavering optimism for the future are palpable, whether experienced during winery visits or chance encounters at wine fairs. This fervor is deeply rooted in the Lindenlaub family's longstanding tradition of tending vineyards dating back to the 18th century.

Riesling Sylvaner Gerwurztraminer

Green apple, apricot, peach, lemon, and jasmine.

Vintage:

• 2022

ABV:

• 13%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Funky

Style:

Hype Juice, Glou Glou

Region: Alsace, France

Les Vins Pirouettes is a project launched by Christian Binner, that brings affordable natural wines to the table, and at the same time helps organic and biodynamic grape growers in Alsace move away from selling their grapes to cooperatives towards making and bottling natural wines. Each cuvée is made at a young grower’s winery, where they supply the grapes and Christian supplies his 20 years of expertise in making natural wine in Alsace, and of course his marketing and distribution savviness. Each cuvée will feature the name of the grower on the bottle. - Jenny & Francois

Prié Blanc

Citrus, apple, pear, white flowers.

Vintage:

• 2022

ABV:

• 12.5%

Funky Scale:

Classic

Style:

Region: Valle d'Aosta, Italy

Nestled in the charming commune of Morgex and La Salle in Valle d'Aosta, Italy, Vevey Marziano is a family-owned winery with roots tracing back to 1981. Founded by Marziano Vevey, who inherited 2,000 square meters of Prié Blanc vineyards from his father, the estate flourished under the stewardship of Marziano and his wife, Judith.

Vevey Marziano distinguishes itself with a steadfast commitment to sustainable and low-intervention practices. Embracing organic and biodynamic methods, the vineyards thrive under their care. Guided by a philosophy of minimal intervention, native yeast fermentation, and judicious sulfur usage, the winery champions authenticity and environmental consciousness.