White Wines with Skin Contact

WINE #1

2022 Galen Glen Vinology
Grüner Veltliner
Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania

Nestled on a scenic ridge north of the Lehigh Valley, Galen Glen Winery defies expectations. Founded in 1995 by a passionate couple (engineer & chemist), it boasts unique terroir and a family legacy of innovation. The 7th generation, Erin, leads the viticulture team with a focus on sustainability. Their wines have garnered national acclaim, particularly for their pioneering Grüner Veltliner plantings.

This wine shows vibrant aromas of white grapefruit, crisp celery, and exotic passion fruit, with a hint of white pepper for added complexity. The finish is bright, crisp, and lingers refreshingly. It’s the perfect partner for a variety of dishes. Think bold vegetables like arugula, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage – their bitterness is beautifully balanced by the wine's acidity. It also shines alongside spicy Asian cuisine and complements seafood dishes with ease.

This wine received 92 points from James Suckling.

WINE #2

2022 Golden Cluster Dionystic Apini
Fiano, Semillon
Willamette Valley, Oregon

Willamette Valley's wine legacy traces back to the 1860s and 1870s, with pivotal moments unfolding on a hill in Butteville and another above Forest Grove. Dubbed "Wine Hill," this site witnessed the birth of Oregon's wine culture and the subsequent modern wine renaissance. Notably, the Reuter Estate thrived here from around 1872 until the onset of Prohibition in 1915. Revitalized in 1965 by Charles and Shirley Coury, this historic vineyard became a beacon of the Willamette Valley's wine industry, sparking what Coury termed a "Wine Renaissance." Today, under the stewardship of the Milan Stoyanov family since 1992, the property, now known as David Hill Vineyard & Winery, honors its heritage while embracing new chapters in Oregon's wine history, exemplified by the Golden Cluster label launched in 2013.

Enticing scents of honey, chamomile, and beeswax on the nose. On the palate, this wine offers a harmonious blend of honeyed sweetness, floral chamomile, and a subtle beeswax texture, resulting in a complex and layered tasting experience. The Apini is crafted from a co-fermentation of 50% Fiano and 50% Semillon, with 12 days of skin contact.

WINE #3

2022 Lightwell Survey Strange Collapse
Vidal blanc, Petit Manseng, Chambourcin, Noiret, Traminette
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

Launched in 2015, this innovative winery crafts small-batch reds, whites, and unique blends, all bursting with character. Their focus? Experimentation and exploration, aiming for a bullseye but happily landing "slightly off center" with surprising and delightful results. Partnered with Early Mountain Vineyards for their first harvest, Lightwell Survey continues to delve into both traditional and uncharted territories, pushing the boundaries of Virginia winemaking.

A vibrant wine with a nose of fresh strawberry and watermelon rind. On the palate, notes of wet stone complement its refreshing acidity and light body, creating an effortlessly enjoyable experience. Crafted from a unique blend of vinifera and hybrid grapes using a mix of direct press, whole cluster fermentation, and skin contact, this co-fermented wine embodies both complexity and approachability. Only 740 cases produced.