Zack Whitaker’s Pick 

Jolie-Laide 'The High Priestess' Melon de Bourgogne Chalone 2025

Jolie-Laide is a french term that translates to "Pretty-Ugly", a tongue-in-cheek name for something that is unconventionally beautiful. Helmed by Scott Schultz and his wife Jenny, Jolie-Laide has become one of the most well respected and sought after low-intervention wines coming out of California. This particular wine, The Empress, comes from the Chalone AVA which is the oldest AVA in Monterrey County and famed for their Burgundian soils. The Loire Valley grape, Melon de Bourgogne, is a rarity in California and has hints of citrus blossom, lemon zest, crisp green apple, and an oyster shell salinity. Pair this vibrant wine with seafood, Brie cheese, or a light pesto pasta.

JD Arredondo’s Pick 

Gulfi Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2024

From Sicily's famous producer, Gulfi, comes this Cerasuolo di Vittoria, a great Red Wine for the final weeks of Summer. It is a blend of 70% Nero d'Avola and 30% Frappato, both grapes indigenous to Sicily and both grown organically. The nose is full of cherries, blackberries, and roses leading to a palate of dark cherries, raspberries, lilacs, and violets Try this wine with some more robust seafood dishes like Grilled Branzino, Pan-seared Salmon, or Herb Crusted Ahi.