Eggplant parm or a big ol’ plate of lasagna, smashburger, grilled portobellos, or Thanksgiving leftovers. This wine isn’t picky. It just wants to hang.

Right off the bat, you get this lifted, juicy burst—wild berries, crushed violets, a little black tea edge and this almost savory note that keeps pulling you back in (like that one moody song you always put on repeat). The texture? Dreamy. It’s got that silky-soft grip, like suede on your tongue, with just enough wildness to keep things exciting. Finishes like a forest breeze after rain. It's soulful, not showy. Unexpected, yet totally familiar.

Varietal:

Field Blend (Prokupac, Blaufrankisch, Zacinjak, Vranac, Crna tamjanika, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay Riesling)

Vintage:

• 2022

ABV:

• 13%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Funky

Region: Timok Region, Serbia

Where the vines are wild, the wines are soulful, and life slows down just enough to feel it.

Tucked into the sun-drenched hills of Italy’s Adriatic coast, Tenuta Est isn’t just a winery—it’s a heartbeat. A place where nature leads, people listen, and wine is made with that rare mix of intuition, grit, and grace. This is a project born out of deep gratitude for the land, a little rebellious spirit, and a whole lotta love.

At Tenuta Est, they don’t follow trends—they follow the seasons. Every bottle reflects the joy of slowing down, the magic of imperfection, and the quiet confidence that comes from doing things your own way. No additives, no overthinking, no fuss—just honest wine with soul.

From their fresh, punchy whites to reds that feel like your favorite worn-in sweatshirt, everythin

Slow-roasted pork carnitas tacos with a hint of spice and lime, BBQ ribs, smoked brisket, or a backyard burger with caramelized onions.

This red is rustic in the best way, bursting with wild cherry, dried fig, cracked pepper, and a bit of that Adriatic sea breeze. There’s a soft grip from the tannins, like a sandy hug after a day on the beach, and a whisper of smoke and dried herbs that keeps things cozy and deep.

It’s a wine that feels like listening to Fleetwood Mac on vinyl while watching the sun go down with your favorite people. Unfiltered, untamed, and totally unforgettable.

Varietal:

Plavac Mali

Vintage:

• 2023

ABV:

• 12.2%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Region: Dalmatia, Croatia

Tucked along the rugged, sun-drenched coast of Dalmatia, the Vukušić family doesn’t just make wine — they bottle joy, tradition, and a whole lotta heart. This is a tiny, passionate operation where every grape is picked by hand, every bottle tells a story, and everything is done with a kind of soulful ease that only comes from generations of doing things the right way — not the fast way.

Their vibe? Think: your cool uncle who surfs in the morning, grills at sunset, and always has a great record playing in the background. That’s BonBon. It’s a love letter to Plavac Mali — Croatia’s sun-kissed, wild-hearted native grape — and a toast to life’s simple, beautiful moments.

The Vukušićs aren’t trying to impress you. They’re just genuinely stoked you’re here, sipping something they poured their

Jamón, patatas bravas, mushroom pizza, eggplant parm, lamb tagine, spicy couscous, smashburgers, grilled portobellos, BBQ tofu.

Juicy cherries, wild strawberries, dried herbs, black olive, and cracked pepper meet rustic warmth and fresh energy.

Varietal:

Carignan Noir, Lledoner Pelut

Vintage:

• 2023

ABV:

• 12.5%

Funky Scale:

Funky

Region: Fitou, France

Founded in 2022, Domaine Montluzia is still young—but don’t let that fool you. Adrien bought his first vines at 19 (yeah, 19!), and together with Saskia—who started out as a harvest worker and became his ride-or-die in life and winemaking—they’ve built something beautiful. Their connection to the land runs deeper than most; a twist of fate revealed Adrien’s grandfather was a winemaker from this very region. Destiny? Maybe. Either way, it’s goosebumps stuff. Their 24 hectares are fully organic, and with biodynamic certification on the way, they treat their land like a living, breathing thing. Horses plow the older vines. Minimal copper and sulfur. No shortcuts, no ego—just real, honest farming and wines that hum with clarity and light.

Grilled meats, hearty pastas, charcuterie with aged cheese.

Vibrant cherries and raspberries with earthy tones, spice, smooth tannins, and a crisp finish.

Varietal:

Merlot, Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero

Vintage:

• 2022

ABV:

• 13.5%

Funky Scale:

Classic

Region: Tuscany, Italy

Ever dream of sipping a glass of Chianti in a 1600s villa surrounded by vineyards, forests, and zero pretension? That’s Migliarina Montozzi — a place where time slows down, Sangiovese speaks its truth, and every bottle tastes like it was made just for you.The estate's 500 hectares of wild hunting reserve, 28 hectares of organic vineyards, and a villa so charming you’ll want to move in. What makes it all hum? Cousins Antonio and Carlo Bartolini Baldelli — two deeply rooted, big-hearted stewards of the land who’ve resisted the “wedding venue” shortcut and chosen the harder, more beautiful path: staying true to the soil, the cellar, and the soul of their family’s legacy.

Lamb, Eggplant, Mushrooms

At first sip, it’s slightly effervescent but then mellows out. Rich tannin, cherry, earth, and spice.

Varietal:

Cannonau

Vintage:

• 2016

ABV:

• 13.5%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Region: Sardinia, Italy

"Sergio Loi is a 4th generation traditional Sardinian producer, whose family winery from the early 900s has always practiced no chemical farming and minimum intervention in the cellar. The Cardedu [car-DAY-do] vineyards are located on the island’s sparsely populated Southeast, where soils are crumbling granite near the coast, and schist in ragged-dry cliffs around Jerzu. - Portovino"

Grilled fish tacos, carbonara, goat cheese salad.

Ripe red berries, subtle herbs, earthy smoothness, citrus zest, and a lingering spice.

Varietal:

Grasparossa, Malbo Gentile

Vintage:

• NV

ABV:

• 11.5%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Funky

Region: Emilia-Romagna, Italy

After years of navigating the sea of industrially-produced wines, Denny Bini is one of the proud faces of Emilia’s wine renaissance. In a world that’s been dominated by mediocrity, he’s quietly crafting something truly special. With a focus on organic farming and the rich tradition of metodo ancestrale (aka Pet-Nat), Denny is bringing back the flavors of his great-grandfathers, one bubble at a time. Nestled in the heart of Emilia, Denny’s small vineyard spans 7 hectares of marl and sandy soils, with 3 hectares of grapes lovingly sourced from his neighbor’s certified organic vineyard. When you sip Denny’s wines, you’re not just drinking a product—you’re tasting a piece of history, a bit of Emilia’s heart, and a whole lot of love for the craft.

Spicy tuna rolls, Prosciutto + melon, Fried chicken + biscuits, Grilled sardines with lemon + herbs
because we gotta pay homage to its Croatian roots. Add sea air for full effect.

Think of this as your rosé reset button. First sip, and you're greeted with a gentle wave of: wild strawberries and raspberries , a tiny whisper of watermelon rind, a splash of pink grapefruit zest, a mineral finish that’s like licking sea spray off a beach pebble (trust us, it works). It’s bright, dry, and so clean. But there's emotion in this glass—nostalgia for summers past, and hope for slow evenings ahead.

Varietal:

Frankovka (aka Blaufrankisch)

Vintage:

• 2024

ABV:

• 11.4%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Region: Dalmatia, Croatia

The Begović cousins are two phenomenal winemakers from starkly different backgrounds - one based in the northeastern mountains of Slovenia, one based on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia — whom discovered their long-lost relation to each other over their mutual family lineage in the village of Kozice, Croatia. - VInum USA

Spicy Asian dishes, tangy cheeses, citrusy salads.

Zesty citrus, stone fruit, floral hints, and natural bubbles—refreshing, juicy, with a touch of spice.

Varietal:

Malvasia di Candia Aromatica

Vintage:

• NV

ABV:

• 12%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Funky

Region: Emiglia-Romagna, Italy

Bulli is the kind of place that makes you believe in magic again—if magic tasted like limestone sparkle in a bottle and came with homemade salumi on the side. Tucked in the sleepy hills of Colli Piacentini, just south of the Po River in Emilia-Romagna, this is old-school Italian winemaking with a wink and a wild streak. Run by Leonardo Bulli and his legendary mother, La Signora Bulli (the real boss), this is a fifth-generation family operation. No castles, no pretension—just 12 hectares of love, limestone, and fizzy fun. Their wines are made the traditional way: metodo ancestrale with spontaneous fermentation, no added SO2, and a whole lotta heart.These bottles are rustic, salty, mineral-driven, and unmistakably honest—“semplice ma non banale” as they say in Italy: simple but never boring.

Prosciutto & melon, burrata, grilled cheese & tomato soup, goat cheese tart, crispy fries.

Fresh lingonberries, ripe red fruits, citrus zest, a touch of earthy minerality, and fine, lively bubbles for a joyful, balanced sip.

Varietal:

Marzemino, Glera

Vintage:

• NV

ABV:

• 11.5%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Region: Veneto, Italy

At the foothills of the Dolomites—where the skies stretch wide and the vines dig deep—you’ll find Le Vigne di Alice, a sparkling sanctuary run by two powerhouse women, Cinzia and Pier Francesca. These aren’t just winemakers. They’re dreamers, doers, and dirt-under-their-fingernails artists who live and breathe their land. Their Prosecco is more than a drink—it’s an invitation: Why not be curious?

This tiny estate in the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene hills is all about making wine with soul and spine—pure, elegant, mineral-driven bubbles made from sustainable vineyards, no herbicides or pesticides, and a whole lot of handwork. It’s not glamorous, but it’s real. And it’s worth it.