Shellfish, grilled fish, roast chicken, creamy pasta, spicy dishes

Waxy texture, gentle phenolic grip, ripe fruit, subtle floral notes, lingering finish

Varietal:

Verdelho

Vintage:

• 2024

ABV:

• 12.5%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Funky

Style:

Region:Cape South Coast, South Africa

Deep Rooted Wines, founded by Mark Stephens, is a natural wine brand that prioritizes purity and sustainability. After working in top wine regions like Swartland, Loire Valley, and Sonoma, Mark’s philosophy is simple: let the land speak for itself. His wines are crafted with low intervention and no added sulfur, allowing the true character of the grapes to shine through. Inspired by a gap year on a regenerative farm in Sonoma, Mark’s wines offer a clean, authentic experience for those who appreciate natural wines that are as real as they come. Taste the passion in every bottle of Deep Rooted.

Shellfish, eel, pasta, rice dishes, salads, white meats, spicy dishes

Ripe pear, apricot, lychee, white flowers, honey, fresh fruit

Varietal:

Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay

Vintage:

• NV

ABV:

• 12.5%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Funky

Style:

Region: Veneto, Italy

Poderi del Leone is a family-run estate located near the Venetian Lagoon in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. The winery is led by Emilio Fidora, the fourth generation of the Fidora family, whose grandfather Guido was one of the early pioneers of organic farming in the region. The estate was certified organic in 1974, long before organic viticulture became widely recognized in Italy.

Today the property spans about 140 hectares, including vineyards, forests, ponds, and pastureland. Farming has continued to evolve, with the estate transitioning to biodynamic practices in recent years. The vineyards grow varieties such as Glera and Pinot Grigio on soils rich in clay and sand.

Located close to the sea, the vineyards benefit from constant coastal winds that help preserve freshness and

Roast chicken, grilled fish, spicy noodles, roasted squash, aged cheeses

Honey, hay, baking spice, citrus, chamomile, pickled ginger, stone fruit, stony minerality, gentle tannins

Varietal:

Chenin Blanc

Vintage:

• 2025

ABV:

• 13%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Funky

Style:

Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa

"We prioritize sustainable farming practices, ensuring all grapes are handpicked to maintain fruit quality before they undergo cellar processes. With a hands-off vinification approach, we aim to highlight the unique terroir and express the true essence of our wines. Our goal is to craft timeless wines that narrate a story, embodying remarkable personality within a defined quality range." — Boschkloof

Grilled seafood, mezze, roast chicken, spicy vegetables, soft cheeses

Fresh citrus, orange, jasmine, rose, yeasty notes, lively acidity, hazy texture

Varietal:

White Muscat, Moschofilero

Vintage:

• NV

ABV:

• 12.5%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Funky

Style:

Region: Macedonia, Greece

Dimitrios Kioutsoukis's family roots trace back to East Romylia since the early 1900s. Despite their long-standing dream of winemaking, financial constraints prevented them from starting a winery. Dimitrios initially pursued a career as a chemical engineer and later worked in the medical field to save money for his winemaking endeavor. Residing in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, a region once renowned for vine cultivation that dwindled after the phylloxera outbreak, Dimitrios decided to realize his dream. He underwent training in winemaking through the UC Davis extension program and, in 2010, planted 11 hectares of vines with Greek varieties such as Assyrtiko, Malagousia, Roditis, Xinomavro, Limnio, Muscat, and Moschfilero.