One of my favorite things about wine is its ability to transport us.
A single glass can take us from volcanic hillsides in Southern Italy to windswept vineyards in Oregon, from ancient Roman territories to hidden corners of the Rhône Valley and the fresh, vibrant Loire. This quarter’s Wine Club selection is exactly that—a collection of wines that tell stories of place, people, and the vineyards that shape them.
Pack your travel clothes and passport. We’re heading to Italy, France, and the Pacific Northwest.
Domaine Les Pierres Écrites “Dilemme Blanc” 2024: Loire Freshness with a Rhône Twist
The Loire Valley has long been one of my favorite regions for white wines, and this bottle is a perfect example of why. Aromatically, it offers bright citrus, white flowers, orchard fruit, and a distinct mineral character that immediately transports me to the vineyards where it was grown. The palate is lively and refreshing, with beautiful precision and energy.
Domaine Les Pierres Écrites is a rising star in Montlouis-sur-Loire. Anthony and Coralie Rassin, originally from the area but with experience in the Northern Rhône, took over in 2015. The name nods to the previous owner’s archaeologist grandfather and his “written stones.” “Dilemme” (dilemma) reflects their clever négoce project blending Loire Chenin Blanc finesse with Viognier from Rhône friends—half Loire, half Rhône soul.
Farmed organically by hand on the region’s classic tuffeau and clay-limestone soils, the winemaking preserves vibrancy: cool fermentation and minimal intervention to let the blend’s floral, fruity, and mineral notes shine.
I chose this wine because it represents the style of white wine I find myself reaching for again and again—fresh, vibrant, food-friendly, and endlessly drinkable. I think subscribers will love its versatility.
Unique food pairings: Embrace the cross-regional dilemma with a spring “Loire-Rhône fusion”: goat cheese and apricot tart (Chenin’s acidity meets Viognier’s stone fruit) or herb-roasted chicken with fennel and citrus—where the wine’s white flowers and minerality dance perfectly. Or try it with asparagus and morel mushroom risotto for an earthy, elegant spring awakening.
Picture it as a charming bridge between regions—like a delightful cultural exchange at a sunny Loire picnic that somehow feels Rhône-romantic. Whether you’re enjoying fresh seafood, a cheese board, or simply a warm evening on the patio, this is the bottle that somehow disappears before you realize it.
Elk Cove Rosé of Pinot Noir 2025: Oregon Summer in a Glass
Every wine club needs a bottle that feels like summer in a glass, and this rosé delivers exactly that. Bursting with wild strawberry, watermelon rind, raspberry, pink grapefruit, and delicate floral notes, it is both refreshing and surprisingly sophisticated. The texture is silky, the acidity is bright, and the finish leaves you wanting another sip.
Elk Cove Vineyards, founded in 1974 by Pat and Joe Campbell, was one of the pioneers in Oregon’s Willamette Valley—specifically the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Now led by the next generation including winemaker Adam Campbell, they farm estate vineyards across the valley with a focus on expressive Pinot Noir. The rosé is made from 100% Pinot Noir, hand-harvested ripe fruit gently whole-cluster pressed with minimal skin contact for that elegant, “white Pinot” style.
Oregon’s cool climate, marine influences, and diverse soils (volcanic, sedimentary) yield Pinot with purity and finesse; the rosé captures the region’s bright fruit and vibrant acidity beautifully.
I chose this wine because Elk Cove consistently produces some of Oregon’s most expressive Pinot Noir, and their rosé beautifully captures that same sense of elegance and place. I have a feeling this will be the first bottle many of you open—and possibly the first one you finish.
Fun, unique pairings: Channel Pacific Northwest spring—pair with grilled wild salmon skewers with a strawberry salsa (echoing the wine’s red fruit), or a “forager’s picnic” of fresh morels, fiddlehead ferns, and goat cheese crostini. Its silkiness also shines with spicy Thai shrimp salad or strawberry shortcake for dessert.
It’s like a sun-drenched Oregon vineyard stroll—elegant, approachable, and full of seasonal joy. It’s perfect for warm afternoons, spontaneous gatherings, grilled seafood, and those moments when you simply want to slow down and enjoy the season.
Villa Matilde Fiano di Avellino “Montelapio” 2021: Volcanic Elegance from Campania
Fiano is one of the grapes that continually reminds me why Italy produces some of the world’s most compelling white wines. This bottling from Villa Matilde opens with aromas of ripe pear, Meyer lemon, white peach, chamomile, and crushed stone. The palate is layered and textured, balancing generous fruit with a beautiful mineral backbone that keeps you coming back for another sip.
Villa Matilde was founded in the 1960s by lawyer Francesco Paolo Avallone with a mission to revive the legendary ancient Falerno wine praised by Roman poets and emperors. The family later expanded into Irpinia, embracing Fiano di Avellino’s potential. “Montelapio” comes from high-altitude vineyards around Lapio on volcanic, mineral-rich soils—classic Campania terroir shaped by Mount Vesuvius’ influence.
Winemaking stays respectful of place: hand-harvested 100% Fiano, fermented and aged briefly in stainless steel to highlight purity, freshness, and that signature stony minerality without oak interference.
I selected this wine because it perfectly captures the elegance and complexity of Campania’s volcanic terroir. Many of you know my love affair with Southern Italy, and this wine is exactly why. You’ll love it if you enjoy Chardonnay but are looking for something with more freshness, character, and sense of place.
Fun, unique food pairings: Celebrate its volcanic roots with grilled octopus or briny seafood risotto laced with lemon zest and herbs—the minerality cuts through richness like sea breeze on the Amalfi coast. Or go bold with a spring “Campania picnic”: fried zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and paired with prosciutto—Fiano’s peach and chamomile lift the delicate flavors into something magical.
It’s like channeling ancient Roman poets toasting under the stars—timeless, poetic, and utterly refreshing.
Pour it with seafood, summer entertaining, or simply when you want a white wine that feels a little more special—ideally on a sunny patio as the world blooms around you.
Casale del Giglio Cesanese Lazio IGT 2023: Rediscovering Ancient Roots
This was one of those wines that immediately made me smile. Cesanese remains one of Italy’s most underappreciated native varieties, and Casale del Giglio continues to be one of the producers leading the charge in showcasing its potential.
Founded in 1967 by Berardino Santarelli in the Agro Pontino valley south of Rome (near the ancient city of Satricum), the estate started as a bold research project. Unlike traditional Lazio winemaking, they experimented with both international and indigenous grapes on land that was largely uncharted for quality viticulture at the time. Today, under Antonio Santarelli and winemaker Paolo Tiefenthaler, they’ve revived Cesanese from historic hill towns like Affile and Piglio—once home to the ancient Volsci tribe and later Roman influence.
The region’s mix of volcanic and alluvial soils, combined with a Mediterranean climate, gives Cesanese its vibrant character. Winemaking emphasizes balance: gentle handling, some aging in larger cherrywood tonneaux to add subtle spice without overpowering the fruit, preserving freshness in this juicy, energetic style.
On the nose, vibrant red cherry, wild raspberry, dried rose petals, and a touch of Mediterranean herbs. The palate is juicy, fresh, and energetic, with soft tannins that make it incredibly easy to enjoy.
I chose this wine because I love introducing club members to grapes they may not have discovered yet. If you’re a Pinot Noir, Barbera, or lighter Sangiovese lover, I think you’ll fall hard for this bottle. It’s the kind of wine you’ll want to share over pizza night, a backyard dinner, or your next charcuterie board with friends.
A fun, unique pairing twist: Think Roman feast meets modern picnic—pair it with crispy Roman-style artichokes (carciofi alla romana) or a twist on pizza: charred broccoli rabe and sausage flatbread where the wine’s herbal notes echo the bitter greens and spice. Or try it with a “Volsci-inspired” herb-crusted lamb skewers for an ancient-meets-spring vibe that transports you straight to Lazio’s hills.
Channel the adventurous spirit of rediscovering lost Roman treasures—like uncovering a hidden amphora in the hills. Pure joy in every sip. Best enjoyed on a lively spring evening: string lights in the backyard, friends gathered around a grill, laughter mixing with the scent of herbs as daylight lingers.
This quarter’s collection is a reminder that great wine isn’t about chasing famous labels—it’s about discovering places, stories, and the pure joy they pour into your glass. Which one are you most excited to uncork first? Share your spring plans and pairing ideas in the comments—I’d love to hear!
