Grilled pork, roasted mushrooms, lentil stew, charred vegetables, Manchego cheese, roast chicken

Red cherry, raspberry, wild herbs, crushed stone, floral notes, earthy spice, bright acidity

Varietal

Mencía, Palomino, Doña Blanca

Vintage:

• 2024

ABV:

• 12%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Region: Castilla y Leon , Spain

In his winemaking approach, Diego prioritizes minimal intervention to preserve the vitality and essence of the vineyards. He opts for a combination of unlined concrete vats and aged oak and chestnut casks, believing these materials allow the wine to breathe, unlike stainless steel which he perceives as stifling the wine's natural character. Eschewing pumps, additives, and sulfur dioxide additions since the 2016 vintage in his recently constructed bodega, Diego critiques enological products as components of a capitalist system. Drawing parallels to his past as a musician, he sees winemaking as a form of creative expression. Diego's philosophy is encapsulated in his belief that many in natural winemaking merely mimic without truly connecting with their vineyards. Clearly, Diego stands apart

Duck breast with figs, roast chicken, mushroom tart, charcuterie, strawberry spice desserts

Dark berries, red cherry, violets, white pepper, wild herbs, mineral crunch, juicy acidity

Varietal:

Cabernet Franc

Vintage:

• 2023

ABV:

• 12%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Region: Loire Valley, France

Call it driven by passion: Cyril and Fabien, the two brothers at the helm of Domaine du Mortier, aren’t originally from a winemaking family. But, when their parents bought a house with a small vineyard back in 1989, the then-teenagers fell in love with viticulture. So much so that they started a proper domain seven years later, naming it after a hamlet where the winery and vineyards are located, just west of the town of Bourgueil. - Jenny & Francois

Grilled steak, mushroom tacos, roasted eggplant, smoky beans, aged cheeses, grilled peppers

Black cherry, plum, wild herbs, crushed stone, earthy spice, crunchy dark fruit, bright acidity

Varietal:

Dolcetto

Vintage:

• 2023

ABV:

• 12.5%

Funky Scale:

Middle of the Road

Style:

Region: Baja California, Mexico

Bichi Winery, established in 2014 by the Téllez family, epitomizes the spirit of Baja with its vibrant wines and distinctive labels. Originating from neighboring Sonora, the Téllez family chose the name "Bichi," meaning "naked" in the Sonoran Yaqui dialect, reflecting their connection to the land. Noel Téllez, a former lawyer, now leads the winery's day-to-day operations, while winemaking duties are entrusted to Beaujolais-trained Yann Rohel. With a relentless pursuit of new vineyards and an evolving winemaking style, Noel continues to push the boundaries of Bichi's wines. The labels, characterized by their uniquely Mexican aesthetic, mirror the family's whimsical sense of humor.

Roast chicken, mushroom risotto, grilled sausages, lentil dishes, smoked cheeses, roasted root vegetables

Tart cherry, cranberry, black pepper, dried herbs, earth, soft spice, fresh acidity

Varietal:

St Laurent

Vintage:

• 2023

ABV:

• 11%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Region: Moravia, Czech Republic

Martin Vajčner is a young winemaker based in Hodonice in the Znojmo region of Moravia, Czech Republic, where his family has grown grapes for generations. He farms a small collection of organically managed vineyards across diverse soils, using biodynamic practices and a hands-on approach that emphasizes healthy vines and expressive terroir. In the cellar, native fermentations, gentle gravity handling, and aging in ceramic vats, oak barrels, qvevri, and glass demijohns preserve the purity and energy of each site. Unfined, unfiltered, and bottled with little to no sulfur, his wines are vibrant, precise, and among the most exciting new expressions of Moravian natural wine.