In early 2021, Joel, Eric and their wives went to the Mendocino coast for a couple of days to rest, recharge, and find new inspiration. Prior to this trip, Eric had been saying that a WAVES spritzer would be perfect in his golf bag, but Joel was not sure it could be done while keeping the classy vibe and high quality expected from the brand. During this trip, inspiration struck and they figured out a flavor profile they could trial. Joel, Jen Stark and Eric spent the next 18 months trialing blends and the packaging until it was perfect. This project took a long time to bring together, but they are ecstatic about the results.
Grapes and Botanicals: Gruner Veltliner 75%, Albariño 15%, Chenin Blanc 10% + Angelica Root, Juniper, Rose Buds, Green Cardamom, Grapefruit Peel, Rosemary, Coriander, Douglas Fir Needles, Anise, Star Anise, Lemongrass (all organic)
Vineyard: Rava Vineyard Monterey County (Gruner), Bokisch Vineyard Clements Hills Lodi (Albariño), Frei Vineyard Solano County Green Valley (Chenin Blanc). All Organic
Making of: The Gruner Veltliner is from the 2021 vintage, while the Albariño and Chenin Blanc were from 2022. All vineyards were hand-picked and whole-cluster pressed, with no skin contact. The juice was separated into light- and hard-press fractions which each saw a 10ppm sulfur addition. After settling for a day, racked by fractions to a new tank for fermentation and vinified separately. The wines started fermenting naturally after about seven days in stainless steel vessels. Aged on their lees, then racked and blended. The wine was macerated with its botanical mix for a period before being filtered, diluted and then spritzed up. Filtered prior to canning.
Personality: “aromas of grapefruit, juniper, cardamom, clove, yellow peach and white cherry. The palate shows white cherry and apricot, juniper, air of the forest, and grapefruit, with subtle notes of brown spice. There is a robust sparkle and racy acidity and a long finish of grapefruit. We think of this spritzer as being similar to a Campari with soda and would be perfect over ice or straight out of the can.”
Grapes and Botanicals: Gruner Veltliner 75%, Albariño 15%, Chenin Blanc 10% + Angelica Root, Juniper, Rose Buds, Green Cardamom, Grapefruit Peel, Rosemary, Coriander, Douglas Fir Needles, Anise, Star Anise, Lemongrass (all organic)
Vineyard: Rava Vineyard Monterey County (Gruner), Bokisch Vineyard Clements Hills Lodi (Albariño), Frei Vineyard Solano County Green Valley (Chenin Blanc). All Organic
Making of: The Gruner Veltliner is from the 2021 vintage, while the Albariño and Chenin Blanc were from 2022. All vineyards were hand-picked and whole-cluster pressed, with no skin contact. The juice was separated into light- and hard-press fractions which each saw a 10ppm sulfur addition. After settling for a day, racked by fractions to a new tank for fermentation and vinified separately. The wines started fermenting naturally after about seven days in stainless steel vessels. Aged on their lees, then racked and blended. The wine was macerated with its botanical mix for a period before being filtered, diluted and then spritzed up. Filtered prior to canning.
Personality: “aromas of grapefruit, juniper, cardamom, clove, yellow peach and white cherry. The palate shows white cherry and apricot, juniper, air of the forest, and grapefruit, with subtle notes of brown spice. There is a robust sparkle and racy acidity and a long finish of grapefruit. We think of this spritzer as being similar to a Campari with soda and would be perfect over ice or straight out of the can.”
