Skin Contact Wines

Herbal & Textured

Located in Snežatno in the Goriška Brda zone of Slovenia, near the border of Italy, Štekar winery is known for producing wines in the traditional manner, with extended skin contact and little or no sulphur added.  The hilly rugged terrain is marked with monuments to both world wars.

Rebula, also known as Ribolla Gialla, is a grape native to Friuli in Italy and this little corner of western Slovenia. As the natural fermentation began, the skins remained with the must for 24 days before being removed. The wine remained in giant Acacia wood barrels for eight months before being bottled without filtration. The result is expressive and spectacular; aromatic and inviting on the nose, the Rebula showcases yellow fruit, a firm structure. 

You can pair this wine with a variety of cuisines, from brothy Asian-inspired dishes, to steak and potatoes.

Salty & Fresh

Joan Ramón Escoda has been shaking the pillars of winemaking in his home-country and abroad since the 90's. He is an absolute anarchist, a radical winemaker, a rock'n'roller and a grass-roots innovator; and his wines are everything but banal.

Mas del Gaio is the top white from Celler Escoda-Sanahuja. An old-vine expression from rustic limestone vineyards next to the winery, blending Garnacha Blanca, Macabeu, and Parellada. Garnacha Blanca and Macabeu are fermented together. Once everything is combined, the wine is aged mostly in large amphora and old French barrels. Mas del Gaio has aromas of stone fruit, lemon verbena, and fuzzy peach skins, with a long, fleshy and salty finish. Fantastic acidity and viscosity from the lees aging. Tropical too, with subtle notes of passion fruit.

Pair it with fish dishes and cured cheeses.

Mellow & Textured

Two real taste enthusiasts, winemaker Julien Bonneau and Chef Alexandre Lavigne were eager to share their own range of wines and created Cuvée Emma made from vineyards located on the hillsides of St Bonnet sur Gironde in the south of the Charente Maritime, a sub-region near the Ocean, on the outskirts of Bordeaux.

Emma embodies the purity of a natural wine, Alexandre Lavigne and Julien Bonneau attach a great importance on sustainable vine cultivation were the balance of the plant and grape maturity are essential. Winemaking is naturally done without the use of sulphites. Made from Sauvignon Blanc, this white wine has aromas of caramel, peaches and dried fruits on the nose. On the palate, there is great texture and length. 

Enjoy with firm cheeses or fish in a beurre blanc.

Spicy & Tropical

Husband and wife duo Ilya and Nadia started Leaning Post winery in Niagara over 10 years ago. Initially a virtual set up, the winery now located on Highway 8, has become a reference producer in Niagara.

Harvested on September 25, 2021, the grapes were destemmed, into concrete tanks where it went through a spontaneous fermentation. It remained in concrete and aged on skins for 25 days, then it was gently pressed into clay amphora (17%) and stainless steel (83%). This wine was racked only a handful of times prior to being bottled unfiltered on April 13, 2022.

This wine represents the evolving nature of wine in Niagara. Orange marmalade, jalapeño pepper jelly, and passionfruit dominate the nose and palate, while elderflower honey, cream and lemon dominate the palate with a rich and oily texture. It is all tied together with bracing acidity, gorgeous texture and a seam of fine tannin. Chill and drink as it warms to reveal new facets of its unique personality.

Enjoy with fish tacos or fish and chips.

Fragrant & Aromatic

The Puiggros family has been producing wines from their own vineyards in Odena since 1843 for friends and family, however their wines have only been available commercially since 2008. Working exclusively with Garnatxas, the family came to realize that their traditional techniques and special terroir were something worth sharing with the rest of the world.

Impressionant is a small production skin-fermented Garnatxa Blanca from a gorgeous vineyard full of limestone and clay, at 500 meters above sea level. After a hand-harvest, the grapes were fermented naturally with skins in 800-litre clay amphora for about five and a half months before a very light pressing and no filtration or fining before bottling. No sulfites were used during the whole process, and results in a rustic orange wine that is a pure expression of the incredible local white Garnacha.

Impressionant has a gorgeous amber orange colour. On the nose, it has beautiful notes of plum, fig and citrus peel; clementine and grapefruit, intermingled with medicinal herbs, nuts and spices; almond blossom, eucalyptus, thyme and clove. On the palate, it is well structured and medium-bodied. It is nicely balanced, beautifully tannic, with a long lasting finish of dried fruits and nuts.⁠

It's a perfect pairing for cheese and charcuterie and maybe some finer, elegant vegetable dishes.