Wine Club: Guthrie Family Wines
I remember pacing around the parking lot on the phone with my distributor last year discussing wine biz; what was out, what was coming in and what to be excited about. Drew mentioned Guthrie. I hadn’t heard of the wines yet but Drew told me he hadn’t tasted a wine he didn’t like…good start. A couple weeks later I got to taste the ‘Le Lush’ and the ‘Heirloom.’ They were spot on….they were bright, they were fresh, they were complex, and the packaging to say the least was definitely a bonus. I brought them in and starting slinging but it wasn’t until a fall tasting when I poured the ‘Le Lush’ that it really caught people’s attention. What was this magical white made from Bourboulenc? What is Bourboulenc many asked?
But we will get there. First a little about Guthrie.
Winemaking team & partners in life, Caroline & Blair Guthrie have one of those romantic comedy starts that you see in a lifetime movie. They met working harvest, had their first kiss behind the press, and started a lifelong dream of making Californian wines they would be proud of. It’s cute. And it’s legit. They strictly work with organically or biodynamically grown grapes, ferment with whole cluster grapes, no filtration and just the minimalist amount of sulfur to be effective. So let’s meet the wines because I’m pretty sure you will crush them.
Cheers!
Wine Club: 2 Bottles
Guthrie ‘Faux’ Sonoma CA • Picpoul Blanc
This refreshing blast of lemon & tropical fruits is the iconic Picpoul variety. Most commonly known from the southern parts of France this variety is versatile yet still very uncommon. This wine just screams for sunny days, bodies of water and friends. Go on- crush it.
Guthrie ‘Neon’ Sonoma CA • Vermentino
Well it’s no secret that we love the Vermentino grape- we have a couple on the shelves right now! But this one stopped me in my tracks. It is so dreamy with a zippy minerality and juicy citrus that you will be wanting more on these hot summer days to come.
Wine Club: 3-4 Bottles
Guthrie ‘Le Lush’ Sonoma CA • Bourboulenc
So I mentioned this one before. Bourboulenc. Rarely do you see it on its own- it is a blending variety from the south of France but in the right hands it can shine all on its own. Scents of white peach and freshly blooming flowers keep you coming back just for the sheer beauty on the nose with a medium body of etherial herbs and pears. This is Bourboulenc.
Guthrie ‘Jurassique’ Sonoma CA • Grenache Blanc
Adding a little punchiness- the Grenache Blanc (another traditionally southern French variety) gives you a wild ride of white strawberries, spice & sour gummy burst. It’s jonesing for some blackened fish tacos with a green apple slaw. Give it a try and let me know what you think!