presented by Brittanie Wallace of Queen of Wines
Giannitessari Lessini Durello Brut ~ NV
Giannitessari is the winery run by Gianni Tessari and his family which is located in Roncà, in the heart of Valle d’Alpone, in the province of Verona. For Gianni Tessari, who since the 1980’s has signed successful wines, recognized with awards at international level, it is the beginning of a new challenge. That of expressing his own stature as a winemaker through the comparison with three different and complementary terroirs. Looking at the tradition and with an always active research for innovation, Giannitessari winery wants to offer its customers quality products which aim to leave a mark.
Appellation: Lessini Durello DOC, Italy
Grapes: 100% Durella, ABV 12.5%
Tasting notes: Bright yellow color, fine perlage. Complex aroma of white wildflowers and white pulp fruit with hints of toasted bread. To the palate it is of medium structure, well balanced between acidity and mineral quality with a long-lasting ending.
Pairings: It is recommended as an aperitif and goes well with all sorts of fish and shellfish, particularly oysters.
Producer: Giannitessari
Rouge Brut Carboniste ~ 2023
After meeting at UC Davis, Dan and Jacqueline Person worked around the world, then around California. These experiences informed their perspectives on winemaking. Dan decided there was a need for a new interpretation of California sparkling wine. Jacqueline was concurrently making still wines from a variety of terroirs across the Golden State, terroirs that have inspired the vineyard selections for CARBONISTE. The 2023 Rouge Brute is a cheeky take on sparkling red wine. In a market where red bubbles barely exist, we’re here to shake things up. What started as a Thanksgiving lark—Merlot meets sparkling Albariño—became a crowd favorite, now elevated with old-vine Carignan and Primitivo. The reds bring juicy, sweet fruits while Albariño keeps it lively, light, and impossibly drinkable. Fresh fruit and herbs pop in every sip.
Appellation: Santa Cruz, CA
Grapes: 33% Merlot, 33% Albariño, 24% Carignan, 10% Primitivo, ABV 12%
Tasting notes: Think sweet red fruits, playful herbs, and a zing of energy from Albariño. Soft tannins, lively bubbles—every sip is a little celebration.
Pairing: It’s the perfect conversation starter, the wine that defies expectations, and a must-have for your next glass of something special..
Producer: CARBONISTE
Van Ruiten Old Vine Zinfandel ~ 2021
The Van Ruiten Family Winery is in Lodi, California, mid-way between the Sierra Foothills and the San Francisco Bay. The estate vineyards, benefit from the ideal climate influenced by the cool afternoon breezes of the San Joaquin Delta. For over 65 years, Lodi grapes grown in the Van Ruiten vineyards were harvested and shipped to other wineries every summer. The family wanted to branch out into winemaking, and in 1999 the first varieties of Van Ruiten wines went into production. Among them are favorites including their exceptional Lodi grown Chardonnay.
Appellation: Lodi, California
Grapes: 92.7% Zinfandel 5.4% Syrah 1.9% Tempranillo, ABV 14.8%
Tasting notes: Bright aromas of strawberries, cherries, plum and a hint of spice. The Zinfandel has supple tannins to go with its medium body and flavors of raspberry and strawberry that carry onto the long finish.
Producer: Van Ruiten Family Winery
Les Étonnants Carmenere ~ 2021
The Domaine de l’Arjolle invites you on an amazing tasting journey. At Arjolle, the experience goes beyond the grape varieties of French vineyards or traditional winemaking methods. Indeed, since the 1990s, the Arjolle estate has planted Zinfandel, the emblematic grape variety of Californian wines, of which it is the only estate to cultivate hectares in France. A rare and exceptional product. About ten years later, Carménère was planted on the Arjolle estate. This is the king of Chilean wines, and the only hectares of Carménère outside of Bordeaux are located on the Arjolle estate. Alongside these two grape varieties, Arjolle has created La Dernière Cueillette, a Chardonnay aged in barrels, outdoors, and without topping up. This is the nectar of Arjolle, a white wine with expressive aromas unlike any you’ve ever tasted!.
Appellation: Vin de France
Grapes: 100% Carménère, ABV 14%
Tasting notes: Deep purple color. Its nose is expressive and fruity, dominated by aromas of blackcurrant, freshly cut grass, and bell pepper. The palate, persistent and invigorating, reveals a fine chewiness blending blackcurrant with menthol and pepper.
Pairings: This wine goes very well with Red meat, beef tartare, sliced poultry.
Producer: L’Arjolle
