presented by Megan Gadwah from 3 Keys Distributing
Viognier Huerhuero Vineyard ~ 2023
The Vina Robles estate was established in the late 1990s by Hans Nef, a Swiss entrepreneur who fell in love with the unbridled viticultural potential of Paso Robles, California. Today, winemaker Kevin Willenborg directs the estate’s certified sustainable farming practices, maximizing the distinct nuances of their premium vineyard blocks. This specific Viognier is cultivated at the absolute highest elevation point of their estate Huerhuero Vineyard, located in the rolling hills of the Geneseo District. At this height, the vines are exposed to intense California sun but are cooled dramatically by refreshing maritime air moving through the Templeton Gap every afternoon, preserving structural freshness and intense varietal aromatics.
The 2023 vintage stands as a rich, vibrant, and beautifully balanced example of New World Rhone-style winemaking. Handpicked in mid-September during chilly nighttime hours, the fruit is immediately pressed and cold-fermented cleanly inside stainless steel vats. To introduce a generous texture and depth without masking the primary fruit with heavy wood, the young wine is aged sur lie (on its fine lees) in small steel tanks until bottling.
Appellation: Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, USA
Grapes: 100% Viognier – ABV: 13.5%
Tasting notes: Floral, bright, and texturally rich. It frames enticing aromas of white peach, ginger, and flint over a medium-bodied, juicy palate defined by zippy citrus acidity and a savory, clean finish.
Pairing: Best enjoyed chilled. Its excellent weight serves as a perfect companion to sumac-and-garlic roasted chicken, steamed mussels, rich seafood soups, or a board of sharp aged Gouda cheese.
Producer: Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery
Breaking Bread Marmalade
The innovative Breaking Bread Wines project is a celebrated natural winemaking concept spearheaded by winemaker Erik Miller, who also runs the historic Kokomo Winery in Healdsburg, California. Miller established the label with a deep focus on low-intervention cellar practices and high-tonality freshness, crafting approachable daily drinkers that break away from heavy, over-extracted regional stereotypes. Sourced from premium North Coast locations, this cuvée pulls its estate Muscat Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc from the sustainably farmed Cortina gravelly soils of Timber Crest Vineyard, while the Chardonnay is hand-harvested from the transitional organic clays of Mizany Vineyard.
The “Marmalade” bottling stands as the estate’s flagship releases highly coveted skin-contact “orange wine” specifically engineered to focus on flavor lift rather than overly bitter, aggressive phenolics. The destemmed grapes undergo wild, native-yeast fermentation with 10 total days of deliberate skin contact before resting cleanly in neutral vessels without any added sulfur additions or filtration.
Appellation: North Coast / Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Grapes: 50% Muscat Blanc, 25% Chardonnay, 25% Sauvignon Blanc (vintage compositions vary slightly) – ABV: 11.8%
Tasting notes: Approachable, vibrant, and aromatic. It yields striking aromas of orange zest, white blossoms, and warm peach, expanding into a dry, light-bodied palate full of crisp acidity and gentle, food-friendly tannins.
Pairing: Best served chilled. Highly versatile and fun to serve, it pairs beautifully with stinky French cheeses, spicy charcuterie boards, pork belly bao buns, or grilled octopus.
Producer: Erik Miller (Breaking Bread Wines)
Domaine St Laurent Pinot Noir ~ 2023
The historical journey of the St. Laurent family into premium agriculture began back in 1985 when they first arrived to raise natural, high-end cattle in southern Oregon. In 2017, the family expanded their deep respect for the land by planting 14 acres of classic Pommard Pinot Noir clones, establishing Domaine St. Laurent as a boutique champion of low-intervention viticulture. The estate vineyards sit at significant elevations within the sunny Rogue Valley AVA, where the rows thrive on volcanic and granitic slopes. This warm, arid mountain setting catches dramatic night temperature shifts, allowing the vines to accumulate deep varietal character during a long growing season while locking in remarkable natural freshness.
The 2023 vintage stands as an incredibly elegant, refined, and highly acclaimed expression that earned a stellar 91-point review from Wine Enthusiast. Harvested early in the morning, the fruit undergoes native-yeast fermentation with a partial whole-cluster inclusion to maximize aromatic lift and vertical framework before aging for 9 months in fine French oak barrels (25% new)
Appellation: Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon, USA
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir – ABV: 13.3%
Tasting notes: Gossamer, precise, and fruit-forward. It balances intense aromas of pure raspberry and lavender against a light, tangy palate packed with wild boysenberry, fine tannins, and a clean mineral lift.
Pairing: Best enjoyed slightly cool. Its tangy acidity makes it an absolute dream pairing for cedar-planked salmon, herb-roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, or fatty pan-roasted duck breast.
Producer: The St. Laurent Family (Domaine St. Laurent)
Lady of the Dead Red
The Frias Family Vineyard estate was established in 1977 when Manny Frias Sr. purchased a rugged, 100-acre property on the steep slopes of Spring Mountain within Napa Valley, California. Today, brothers Manny Jr. and second-generation winemaker Fernando Frias lead the property, merging strict mountain viticulture with playful cultural celebrations. Their iconic “Lady of the Dead” proprietary red blend features a beautiful, custom sugar skull scratchboard label designed by artist Eric Sabee, honoring the traditional Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos. To build a bold but seamlessly balanced profile, the winemakers combine rich, structured mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley with plush, highly aromatic Syrah and Grenache sourced from select sites across Paso Robles.
The current vintage represents an internationally celebrated, full-bodied, and deeply concentrated masterpiece that shows off a rich tapestry of fruit and spice. Fermented gently and aged for close to two years inside premium French oak casks, the winemakers focus on achieving perfect harmony across multiple appellations.
Appellation: Multi-Appellation Blend (Napa Valley & Paso Robles), California, USA
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot (exact vintage splits vary slightly) – ABV: 14.5%
Tasting notes: Concentrated, velvety, and deep. It layers complex aromas of black currant, warm clove, and cedar over a plush, medium-to-full-bodied palate packed with dark cherry flavors and polished tannins.
Pairing: Best enjoyed at a standard red wine temperature. This heavily structured blend requires a hearty table, pairing beautifully with grilled beef ribeyes, roasted lamb chops, rich wild boar ragù, or roasted winter root vegetables.
Producer: Frias Family Vineyard
