Grilled chicken, charcuterie, roasted vegetables, seafood stew, picnic snacks

Red berries, wild herbs, citrus peel, soft florals, light spice, mineral edge

Varietal:

Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional

Vintage:

• 2024

ABV:

• 12%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Region: Lisboa, Portugal

Hugo Mendes trained as a biomedical engineer, but in 2004 he discovered his true calling in winemaking. After years working in cellars and consulting across Portugal, he launched his own project in 2016, starting with a small batch of friend’s grapes and pre-selling wine over social media to fund the bottling. Based in Alenquer, north of Lisbon, Hugo focuses on indigenous grapes and natural freshness, crafting wines that capture the vibrant, chalky-clay soils and sunny, slightly Mediterranean climate of Lisboa. His wines are both expressive of their terroir and effortlessly drinkable, reflecting his creativity, passion, and commitment to a new generation of Portuguese winemaking.

Roasted lamb, grilled vegetables, and hearty stews.

Blackberry, earthy overtones, and a lingering savory finish with berry highlights.

Varietal:

Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre

Vintage:

• 2022

ABV:

• 13%

Funky Scale:

Classic

Region: Languedoc,

Without formal training, Philippe and Emma immersed themselves in books, observed other producers, and learned from their mistakes. "It’s a bit like poker," Philippe remarked. "You dearly pay one or two times, then you watch out! This is the basis of learning." They released their first vintage in 2001 after acquiring several plots. From the outset, they embraced biodynamics, earning organic certification in 2008 and becoming one of fifteen organic producers in Saint-Chinian.

Nestled amidst the 'garigue', their vineyards are isolated and teeming with biodiversity. Most plots are plowed by horse, and the family creates their own compost. They manage low yields to encourage the vines' natural immune defense.

Grilled chicken, tomato based dishes, gyros, roasted vegetables, mezze plates

Red cherry, plum, berry compote, soft spice, light tannin

Varietal:

Agiorgitiko

Vintage:

• 2024

ABV:

• 13%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Region: Peloponnese, Greece

Denthis is a collaborative project of small, family-run Greek wineries, brought to the US by importer Eklektikon. Focusing on indigenous grapes like Assyrtiko, Roditis, and Agiorgitiko, Denthis produces natural, low-intervention wines that are fresh, mineral-driven, and highly food-friendly. Their accessible “Stamnaki” line and select “Lost” wines showcase authentic, unpretentious Greek styles, often made with biodynamic or traditional methods across regions such as Peloponnese.

Vietnamese Goi Cuon, Grilled Salmon with Lemon-Dill Sauce, Grilled Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

Grapefruit, apricot, lychee, and orange blossom.

Varietal:

Welschriesling, Muscat, Grüner Veltliner

Vintage:

• 2022

ABV:

• 11.5%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Region: Burgenland, Austria

Meinklang is a lively farm compromising the three typical fields of a Pannonian farmstead in East Austria south of capital town Vienna: wine-growing, fruits and agriculture. Each family-member is specialized in an aspect of farming. Unique is the estate owns Angus & Aubrac cattle herd. It`s the farms source for our own nutritious, organic fertilizer for lively soils in the vineyards and creates the closed circle in the biodynamic Demeter farming. Outstanding issues are the totally unpruned vines, called «graupert» and the extended maturation in concrete egg-shaped containers. As well as the family initiated the first holistic Demeter brewery where we refine the ancient grain beer out of the old varieties called Einkorn and Emmer wheat. - From Zev Rovine

Sweet & Sour Chicken, Thai Salad, Hawaiian Pizza

Apricot, peach, grapefruit, citrus and jasmine.

Varietal:

Riesling

Vintage:

• 2021

ABV:

• 12%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Region: Mosel, Germany

Sybille, a wine merchant hailing from a long line of vintners, ventured back to her roots in Mosel to oversee the production of her own wines at the family's bio-organically certified estate. Focused on elevating quality, the winery specializes in crafting dry wines rather than the traditional sweet varieties.

Grilled fish, shellfish, summer salads, light pasta, aperitif on warm days

Rose, lychee, lemon balm, lemongrass, ginger, peppermint, fresh tropical fruit, minerality

Varietal:

Moscatel Galego Branco

Vintage:

• 2022

ABV:

• 11.5%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Region: Douro, Portugal

Tiago Sampaio, the innovative young winemaker behind Folias de Baco, began his journey in 2007, though his passion for winemaking traces back to his childhood, where he explored his family's farms and vineyards alongside his grandfather. Always curious and adventurous, Tiago's willingness to experiment shaped his path. He pursued agricultural studies in Santo Tirso and spent five years at university in Vila Real before embarking on a PhD in Viticulture and Enology in Oregon. There, he absorbed modern winemaking philosophies and aesthetics, all while cherishing his Douro roots. Returning to the Alto Douro, specifically in the challenging sub-region of Cima-Corgo, Tiago established his estate. His vines cling to steep slopes of schist and granite, ranging from 500 to 700 meters in altitude.