Top 6 in The 6ix: Wines of the Week—Earth Day

In California, sustainable agriculture and community development are at the helm of its society-at-large. Did you know that 80% of California wines are made in a certified sustainable winery? That is no small feat as the requirements are incredibly strict and wineries have to re-qualify every year. Now that’s what I call commitment to the planet!

Why do California wineries adopt sustainable winegrowing practices? Well, it starts with their belief system. The California wine industry believes it truly needs to protect the soil, air and water for future generations. They believe that a holistic approach is a requirement to keep both the earth and the people on it safe and secure for many years to come.  

RELATED: Top 6 in The Six: Wines of the Week—Bird Watching Wines>>>

How will I know if my wine is Sustainable? This strong commitment to nature and the community breathe life and flavour into California wines like no other region. In fact, on many of your favourite California wines you’ll start to see the “Certified Sustainable” logo. Ensuring you can feel good about every bottle you open, sip and share.

From grape to glass, California wines are holistically created star-studded in nature, energetic, dynamic and alive! A wine that is alive is one that’s fresh and flavorful, distinctive and memorable – characteristics that speak to California’s passion and commitment to excellence. 

This month, grab a glass and shift into “The Golden State of Mind”.  Embrace what’s next in life, be optimistic, and get excited for new possibilities!

Looking to learn more? Head to www.discovercaliforniawines.com

Longshot Pinot Grigio 2019

Longshot Winemaker Beth Liston is relentless in making her wines creatively and expressively and doesn’t mind challenging convention to do so. Beth sees her greatest reward in a wine that knocks convention off its feet and pours her passion and creativity into the creation of wines that deliver the unexpected: bold wines without the bold price. Made by Beth Liston, she is a pioneer winemaker who champions quality, originality and above all, great taste.

This wine was night harvested, a sustainable vineyard process that saves energy at the winery level.  The winemaking approach favours the aromatic varietal and expressive mouthfeel. Blended with Chardonnay and Viognier this wine has subtle notes of lemon and apple balanced with minerality and elegance

Pairings: Meant for all sorts of fun times and foods pair this wine with Antipasti, like seafood salad or marinated fish like grilled octopus. Try Fried fish or vegetables such as fritto misto – or even fish and chips! Light pasta sauces including seafood like clams, or cream based area perfect!

Kendall-Jackson Vintners’ Reserve Chardonnay 2019

Kendall-Jackson is a leader in sustainability and is a co-founder of “International Wineries for Climate Action”. From solar power and biodiversity to renewable energy to water conservation, 100% of the estate vineyards and wineries are Certified Sustainable, earning them the “Green Company of the Year 2020” award by The Drinks Business. Cultivating wines from many of California’s greatest cool, coastal mountain ridges the wines from Kendall Jackson showcase some of California’s finest appellations. Committed to future generations and a truly sustainable approach, Kendall Jackson also partners with the United Way to aid in a workers relief fund project that provides emergency support for eligible grocery workers in need of financial assistance.

With ‘sur lie’ aging and barrel fermentation the Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay has rich layers of flavour alongside a textured and creamy mouth feel. With notes of pineapple, vanilla and honey, this wine is aged for 7 months in French oak for a beautiful balanced taste. It’s truly delicious!

Parings: Try homemade crab cakes with remoulade sauce, roasted chicken, golden hour sunsets, Alaskan king crab and even lobster tails for an elevated dinner at home.

Bonterra Chardonnay 2019

Awarded as American winery of the year (Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards 2016), Bonterra has been farming organically since 1987. Having a deep respect for the environment, organic farming and regenerative practices enrich the soil and biodiversity in our vineyards year after year. This wine is made with organically farmed grapes from a winery committed to organic and certified biodynamic farming. Biodynamic vineyards are characterized by farming in a very holistic way, taking into consideration the interconnectivity between the earth, plants, animals, humans, the moon and planets.  

This wine is a blend of warm and cool regions with nearly half of the grapes hailing from Mendocino County. This certified organic wine is 70% fermented in French and American oak barrels and 30% is fermented in stainless steel tanks for a perfectly balanced and delicious wine – it has always been one of my favourite Chardonnays! With aromas of soft vanilla spice, bright fruit flavours, and a gorgeous bouquet of flower blossom and nutmeg, this wine is radiant and ravishing! Kudos to Bonterra Winemaker Jeff Cichocki because this wine always over performs, both great on its own and when paired with food. 

Parings: Roasted white fish with mango salsa, grilled shrimp with pineapple skewers, roasted chicken dinners, pork tenderloin, or even with your Tuesday night popcorn and movie date nights!

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay 2018

When Robert Mondavi came to Napa Valley, he aspired to take California wines to new levels by applying his pioneering vision to classic winemaking customs. Inspired by his namesake’s passion for challenging expectations and pushing boundaries, our wines build on time-honored traditions to enhance your favorite varietals with new layers of flavor. Mr. Mondavi believed that wines should reflect their origins, and that they are the product of the soil, the climate, and the careful stewardship of those precious resources. They were the first to formally adopt a natural farming approach to the cultivation of estate vineyards, which extends beyond rules and structures of organic farming and considers overall wine quality and the impact on the greater environment. In 1998 Robert Mondavi became the first winery to receive an “Innovator” award from California’s Environmental Protection Agency. 

Robert Mondavi Private Selection offers something substantive and real: 26 years of capturing Robert Mondavi’s legendary winemaking expertise and trailblazing legacy in California wines that are crafted for exceptional flavor and everyday enjoyment. By balancing longstanding traditions with a forward-looking approach, Robert Mondavi Private Selection explores what wine can be, not just what it “ought” to be to offer the most flavorful of wine experiences. For those seeking depth and substance, and who don’t just drink wine, but savor it – make the most out of every sip by joining us in our relentless pursuit of better.

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay is aged in French Oak barrels, delivering a rich and creamy Central Coast wine that opens to aromas of key lime pie, honeysuckle, green apple and crème brulee. With a palate of baked apples, poached pears, nectarine, peach and pineapple enhanced by notes of vanilla bean and baking spices, this chardonnay wine captures the delicious flavors from California’s best coastal vineyards.

Parings: Serve this wine with a great cheese board and/or try pairing it with classic carbonara or cream based seafood pastas. 

Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

The Hope family has been farming in Paso Robles for more than 30 years. Austin Hope’s commitment to success and stewardship of the land are the same principles that his grandfather instilled into the family business four decades and three generations ago. Liberty School honors the family’s roots with an undying dedication to making quality wines. Hope Family Wines is committed to sustainable growing practices and Estate vineyards are SIP Certified – ensuring there is a focus on preservation and protection of natural and human resources.  

In the Paso Robles area Cabernet Sauvignon is known to produce ripe fruit flavours and supple tannins. This red wine spends time in French and American oak barrels (10% of which are new) for 15 months. Crimson in colour with aromas of warm vanilla, baking spices, savory herbs, dark cherry and black pepper. Extremely food friendly this wine is the perfect bottle to elevate your everyday!

Parings: If you’re craving steak  – This bottle is perfect! Serve in big bowled glasses and decant one hour before serving. 

7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel 2017

This luscious Zinfandel is made from seven Certified Sustainable vineyards in Lodi, California with fruit from old vines. This wine is full-bodied with notes of dark fruits, currants and toffee.  

Among the most rigorous and comprehensive sustainable winemaking programs in the country is The Lodi Rules™ Certification. The 7 Deadly® full wine portfolio is proud to bear this certification based on grower farming practices that benefit the environment, community and local economy. This wine is also vegan friendly. 

Pairings: BBQ anything! If you love to grill this wine is the answer. From ribs to burgers it’s a wine that makes any dinner or pairing #Zintastic!