6 bottles of 2022 Birdhorse Rosé
"We are driven by intellectual curiosity, transparency, science, and data, but most importantly an ardor for delicious wines... Birdhorse is intended to evoke a sense of adventure and whimsy, rooted in the familiar... a thing you can conjure in your mind’s eye, a faint outline, but requires an inquisitive and open mind to fill in the details. That is Birdhorse: a desire for understanding, grounded by our own experience and perception, fueled by our imagination."
In their endeavor to meet that mission, they've also done something that is (woefully) uncommon in the wine industry: they've exemplified queer excellence and joy (making a point to raise funds for LGBTQ+ youth programs) and have unabashedly and proudly been women with a point of view in an industry that often doesn't allow them to have one. In short, they are extraordinary, and we've been hooked from day one.
Their Rosé is perhaps the best summation of their ethos: a blend of varietals, each from a unique vineyard site, blended to best express the hallmark character of each. This year, Valdiguie from the Suisun Valley is once again the cornerstone, bringing with it a wave of blue fruit and ancho chili smoke. Barbera from the iconic Shake Ridge offers wild cherry and anise, and Mendocino Carignan adds to the spicebox complexity, with the snap of red plum skin dancing in the background. All together, they form a palate of fresh summer berry, with a campari-like bitterness that offers structure and intrigue.
