5 Vermont Wines You Should Be Drinking Right Now
Sas pouring it on with Lauren.
Vermont wine is on the up and up and it's time you get down with the cold-hardy hybrid magic juice! Our wine expert and party captain Lauren Hayes shares her top 5 that you have to try right.now.damn.it.
Here are some bottles you should be popping!
2021 La Garagista Ci Confonde Rose
Our fairy godmother Dierdre Heekin of La Garagista proved that it’s not only possible to employ biodynamic practices in chilly and wet Vermont but you can indeed make gorgeous natural wine from hybrid grapes. This recent release of sparkling rose made from a grape called Frontenac Gris is one of the most elegant examples of just how good VT wine can be. Gently floral, barely ripe strawberries, incredibly pretty and soft bubbles with balanced, energetic acidity. This wine is a stunner and if you see a bottle, get into it immediately.
photo courtesy of La Garagista
2021 Ellison Estate Asters and Clovers
Dear lord, is this wine delightful! Rob and Kendra Knapik are making expressive, aromatic, and approachable wines on their stunning vineyard on Grand Isle. This white wine is a perfect balance of two very different grapes. It offers the honeysuckle, gardenia, fruitful aromatics of La Crescent while Prairie Star gives it some satisfying weight and softens the often loud La Crescent to a bright and salty finish.
2021 Stella 14 Uncle Marquette
David Keck of Stella 14 has really hit the scene with a splash. His first release of sparkling wines are delicious across the board. Start with this sparkling Marquette; a juicy red grape with loads of woodsy berries and festive bubbles. Swap out your Lambrusco for this number at your next pizza or pasta night!
2021 Iapetus Protolith
Ethan Joseph’s Protolith is a lightweight red wine made from a field blend of Vermont grapes with Marquette coming out on top making up 54% of the blend. This is the perfect wine to transition us from summer to fall with its bing cherry and red currant fruit notes intermingled with soft herbs like fennel and basil. Serve with a slight chill alongside grilled meats and peak-season eggplants and tomatoes—yes, please!
Kalchē Wine Co - Join their wine club!
In their own words, Kalchē Wine Co is making hybrid space juice cooperatively; centering diversity, sustainability and the decolonization of big wine. Winemaker Kathline Cherry’s first vintage has been playful, interesting, and distinctively New England with cranberries, apples, maple sap, and foraged flowers often making their way into the ferment. We dig their transparent business practices and welcoming spirits. Cheers to broadening the definition of ‘good wine’!
photo courtesy of Wilder Wines
With each vintage, the community of Vermont viticulturists grows along with the quality of the wine. Our little state has such wonderful, collaborative makers and farmers who have done a beautiful job supporting each other and learning together. It's wonderful to witness—and even more wonderful to taste.
Where to find these dope wines?
Check out the folks above directly for tasting room hours! We’ve also listed/linked some of our favorite spots in Vermont below:
Wilder Wines - Burlington
Salt & Bubbles Wine Bar & Market - Essex
Dedalus - Stowe and Burlington
Mehuron’s Supermarket- Waitsfield
Cork Wine Bar - Stowe
