Kascadia 4 Pack

CLOS DU SOLEIL

Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Clos du Soleil's vineyards are primarily located on the upper bench of the southern Similkameen Valley, which has an arid, hot, desert-like climate, with rocky, mineral-rich soils that produce truly distinctive wines of ripe fruit character, fresh acidity, herbal notes and striking minerality.

The team uses traditional winemaking techniques, informed by research, while adhering to the philosophies of minimal-interventionist winemaking, and organic and biodynamic viticulture. The resulting wines borrow an aesthetic derived from the great chateaux of Bordeaux, but are stamped with the flavours and aromas of our unique, rock-laden Similkameen landscape.

The name Clos du Soleil, a French term meaning an enclosed Vineyard of the Sun, refers to the rocks, soil, and sun, which together define this very special piece of land where we grow our grapes. The enclosure is the mountain that forms a tall natural stone wall at the back of our vineyard, almost surrounding the cobbled terroir which lends its unique flavors to our wines. Most importantly, our name highlights the long days of sun which pour in on the Similkameen Bench, one of BC’s most unique and promising microclimates.

2019 Clos Du Soleil Signature Red Blend

The 2019 result was 42% merlot, 31% cabernet sauvignon, 13% malbec, 10% cabernet franc, and 4% petit verdot. Each vineyard block was harvested separately, destemmed, and native fermented in concrete. After a gentle pressing, the wines aged 16 months in French oak, with the best barrels selected for the final blend. This year is back to form, with structurally firm tannins framing fragrant blackberry, black cherry, perfumed black plum on a compact palate, scented with espresso, violet perfume, and a healthy crack of black peppercorns.

PHANTOM CREEK, QUARTZ & YARROW

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

Quartz & Yarrow sources sustainably farmed grapes from across the Okanagan Valley to produce fresh, fruit-forward and perfectly balanced BC VQA wines. The name is derived from two different biodynamic preparations: crushed quartz and yarrow blossoms. The packaging was designed to minimize the carbon footprint and impact on the environment

Absolute Green Line capsule 

Made from sugar cane and water-based inks

650 gram glass bottle

Lighter weight results in more efficient transportation

 100% pure cotton paper

A tree free, renewable paper. The packaging was designed to minimize our carbon footprint and impact on the environment

2020 Quartz & Yarrow White Blend 

This wine has beautiful bouquet of aromas of Golden Delicious apple and lemon zest with hints of chamomile. A lively acidity on the palate marked by citrus fruit flavors mingles together with pineapple and baked lemon notes, creating a textural yet refreshing sensation on the palate accompanied by a long savory finish. 13.5% alcohol. 

BREA WINE CO. 

Central Coast, California, USA

Chris Brockway, a noted California natural winemaker and owner of Broc Cellars, and Tim Elenteny, the libations logistics leader of Elenteny Imports, are the masterminds behind BREA Wine Company.

They have seen the thirst for site-specific, terroir driven, and sustainably farmed wine become the driving force for many avant-garde California winemakers who gravitate toward varieties that flow outside the mainstream.  BREA Wine Company seeks to capture this thirst while also bringing the beloved classic varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir into the fold. 

The two seek to create wine that is beyond reproach by fostering close relationships with farmers and choosing vineyards known for their high- quality grapes.  BREA wines are accessible in price, quality, and ready-to-drink but also suitable for short-term aging. Their goal is to open minds back up to these classic varietals. 

Brea 2022 Chardonnay 

Wheeler Vineyard’s Chardonnay was planted in 1977 on elevated gravelly alluvial terrace. It is located in Tres Pinos. Kevin Olson Vineyard is one of the coldest vineyards in California. This is where we get the nice acid backbone in the wine. It is located right off Highway 101 in Prunedale, and grows in sandy soils. It was planted in 1999. Wheeler Vineyard and Kevin Olson Vineyard are organically farmed. 13% alcohol.

DOMAINE MAGDALENA

Red Mountain AVA, Washington, USA

As the world gets hotter and more polluted, the imperative for farmers to pivot to more sustainable practices increases—as does the imperative for consumers to support these wine producers with their wallets. You’ve likely heard the terms sustainability, organic, maybe biodynamics, regenerative farming, and natural wine. While these concepts share certain elements, largely based on the degree of withdraw from damaging agricultural practices, they mean different things.

To learn more about how biodynamic farming affects viticulture and winemaking as well as aids in the tolerance of climate change in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington State, I turned to a small grower called Domaine Magdalena.

Maggie Hedges, owner/grower of Domaine Magdalena, runs the winery with her husband Christophe Hedges. At Domaine Magdalena, they have grown four acres of Cabernet Sauvignon organically since 2005, and biodynamically with Demeter certification since 2011. Because their family lives on the farm, a healthy environment in which to raise their children defined their farming practices from day one.

2018 Domaine Magdalena Cabernet Sauvignon

On the nose you may notice plum, green peppercorn, cassis and some Rhone-style spice. The palate is accessible, with green peppercorn, cassis, and plum. Not necessarily what you’d expect from a new world Cab, but in a refreshing way.