It’s my birthday month so I’m bringing you my ideal birthday wine list; or if you also have a June birthday, the wine I’d bring to your party!
One of the new things I want to do this year to more snail mail. I sent out valentines, and just started having a pen pal, and it made me so excited crafting a little letter, or gathering stationary. I also started writing down recipes the “old school way” on index/recipe cards and keeping them in a little vintage index tin I thrifted. It’s been a fun way to have things in a physical form. So.. thanks to my Tiktok and IG feed being filled with snail mail clubs, I thought about merging the two: a recipe snail mail club. Either a monthly recipe, or quarterly little letter pack or zine, of recipes of mine to have in a physical form. Some wine chit chat, maybe some other voices. But a little snail mail from me, to you, in your mailbox. If you’re interested in something like this, fill out this form! Maybe my first can be when I’m back from France with some insider highlights from there 😉
Martha Stoumen Nero d'Avola Rosato NV No. 2
90% Nero d’Avola, 10% Negroamaro | Mendocino County, California
Starting of very strong… iykyk..me or have been following me awhile to know that not only is Martha Stoumen one of my fave producers, but specifically am obsessed with MS Nero d’Avola. It’s been my wine of the summer for the last 3 years, and I have no plans to stop that tradition at this point. The color alone is gorgeous; just looking at it makes it hard to resist. It’s floral, it has rhubarb, strawberry, and watermelon rind like tartness. 100% wild strawberry vibe. It’s so refreshing. I’ve drank this at the lake, at a summer cabin trip with friends, an end of summer deck lounging with fresh figs and cheese, and also as a wine pair in my 4 course supper club dinner. This wine is that girl.
Meinklang Mulatschak Weißer (Orange)
Welschriesling, Pinot Gris, Traminer | Neusiedlersee, Austria
If you’re here, most likely you already know the power of a Meinklang Weißer. If not, let me introduce you. Meinklang is a family run holistic, biodynamic farm in Austria. I say farm instead of vineyard because it is more than that— it’s a whole ecosystem: natural ponds, protected cover crops, and wild herbs surround the vines. These elements provide a habitat for soil organisms and beneficial insects, fostering a healthy ecosystem. This approach to viticulture is based on the original German concept of “Wein-Garten,” which combines the ideas of wine and garden. This one of my favorite Orange wines, and one I love to always have stocked in my little “cellar.” I’ve shared this wine with friends, over a dinner, or just a pop-over-last-minute hang. This was also one of the wines poured at my wedding, and has converted many hesitant natural and/or orange wine pals. Super floral of jasmine, orange blossom, and spring blooms. Lives up to the orange title: pops of apricot, peach, clementines, and orange peel. Creamy in texture but amazing, mouthwatering acidity.
Yann Bertand Fleurie Cuvée du Chaos
100% Gamay | Fleurie AOP, France
Gamay is one of my favorite grape varietals so I had to throw it in. This Fleurie is a special AOP— In France, AOP (Appellation d'Origine Protégée), or "Protected Designation of Origin," is the highest quality label for agricultural products like wine and cheese. It signifies that the product is made, processed, and refined in a specific region using traditional methods and must meet strict quality standards. This wine comes from the oldest vines in Grand Pré, some of which are over 100 years old. Yann considers it his cuvée d'exception—a standout bottling where he experiments with biodynamic farming and innovative vineyard techniques. The result is one of the most captivating expressions of Gamay out there: a wine that favors purity over power and elegance over richness. It’s a rare tête de cuvée that’s light in body but full of depth and complexity. This is the wine I’d have seated at my birthday dinner table to really gently savor.
St. Reginald Parish Cold Blooded Old Times
100% Chardonnay | McMinnville, Oregon
In December 2023, Andy generously came up— post an insane harvest season— to Seattle to pour his wine at my supper club holiday party. Even more generously he brought along with him a bottle of “Cold Blooded Old Times.” It was so delicious and special my taste buds and visual brain still can remember the experience of tasting it to this day. I would take this as a birthday dessert or night cap with pure joy and honor. Andy describes this special bottle best:
Cold Blooded Old Times", a sous voile (oxidized via flor aging) Chardonnay that experienced élevage completely outdoors in an open air barn (on the same property where the wine was grown) for 10+ years. The barrels were completely untouched post-fill; never opened and never topped, the wine reduced down to 16.5% percent ABV over the course of a decade, while the chemistry remained the same in regards to total acidity and pH. The best barrels were blended and bottled as a one time only release, never to be repeated. A true time capsule. A unicorn. A proper piece of history that is completely shelf stable for periods up to at least 30 days, if not more. If you're into the Jura, Vin Jaune, Sherry, Madeira, etc, this wine is for you. If you don't know if you are, trust...you are. Serve as an after dinner drink, chilled or room temp, or just get cray and pour it over ice cream.
Fruit: 25 year old own rooted Chardonnay in the northern most part of the Willamette Valley
Winemaking: Direct press into older, neutral, French oak. Never topped. Racked from barrel via argon gas 10+ years later.
Recipe Pairing: Apéro Hour with your loved ones
Not necessarily a recipe…but my birthday wish for me, and you… to go eat al fresco with you friends and/or other loved ones. Have a little apéro hour. Grab some nice cheese, tinned fish, chips, pickle-y things, or whatever your snack heart desires and have a slow snack time with your people. If you do want some “recipe” suggestions, you can go back to my Peak Summer Aperitivo Hour post for some!