La Garagista "Loup d'Or" 2020

La Garagista "Loup d'Or" 2020Press 2 July 2023 Direct Press Selection Few winemakers have had as much influence on the discussion around North American hybrids as Deidre Heekin of La Garagista in Vermont. We could probably devote an entire newsletter just on her project and her proteges but the basic facts are this: she and her husband Caleb Barber ran a farm to table restaraunt for 20 years in Woodstock, VT, and making their own wine seeme like a natural extension of farming

"We have not been influenced by people but by the call of nature

one of the sites Wild Arc farms about a half and hour from Troy

It’s got some funky barnyard aromas

viticulture

Why do virtually all Bourbons have the same half dozen flavor notes

The 2020 Chenin Blanc was the first vintage for wine produced from the estate's Riesling vines grafted over to the notoriously finicky variety and the results were outstanding

then raised in neutral 300 liter barrels for 6 months

But this wine comes from Carignan allowed to grow as actual wild vines — like

graham cracker

picked together and go in to a mix of used chestnut and French oak barrels together for 15 days maceration

spiced affair with layers of dried apple ring

and others that few have ever heard of