With the strange weather we've had here in wine county, harvest and crush are all out of sorts. Fear not though, the20 will get you through these crazy times and help ease you into fall.
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With Fall comes the glorious return of America's (other) favorite pasttime, football. The game is the reason you're there, but the tailgate is an equally compelling part of the equation. Though wine has been neglected among the great pregame traditions, we're doing our part to change that. Thrillist DC recently validated the wine/football pairing by featuring us in its annual tailgate guide. We want to live vicariously through as many tailgates as possible this season, so if you take your cask to the game, snap a pic and post it to our facebook page.
Fall is not just about grapes and pigskin, it's also a time to take stock of the people and things that are most important to you. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we're releasing a limited edition Chiller cask, affectionately named Pinky. For each Pinky we sell, we'll donate 10% of the proceeds to breast cancer research. It's our little effort to add to the list of health benefits of consuming wine.
In September we debuted our “We Pay the Corkage” campaign on facebook. It’s pretty self-explanatory, but in case there’s confusion, we gave everyone the opportunity to enjoy great wine from their cask out on the town on our dime. We had a great response and we intend to offer it again, so Like us to stay informed.
In September, we poured at SF Wine Market and Barrel Tap’s Peninsula Tasting. In October, we already have several tastings on the calendar:
October 9th – SF Wine Market (Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco)
October 9th – CA Wine Celebration (Westlake Village Inn, Westlake Village)
October 15/16 – SF Vintners Market (Fort Mason, San Francisco)
October 23rd – SF Wine Market (Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco)
If there’s a great event upcoming in your area, please let us know. We’re also always looking for wine lovers to volunteer and help us spread the gospel. If you live in one of the states we can ship to and would be interested in pouring at an upcoming event, please email us at info@the20wines.com.
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The September release from theClub is the 2010 Rock Wall Super Alamedan. Winemaker Shauna Rosenblum decided that it was time for a Super Tuscan with a little California flare. So with the creative confidence of an art major, she created an intriguing blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of old vine Zin. Check out our mini video of Shauna describing the Alamedan and Rock Wall here.
Shauna was also nice enough to give us a few tickets to this weekend’s Food Truck Frenzy: Blue Angels Edition at Rock Wall’s tasting room on Alameda. Food trucks hawking their wares, delicious wines to try and buy, a dj and an unobstructed view of aerial acrobatics over San Francisco – what more could you ask for? The first 10 people to email us at info@the20wines.com get a free ticket.
With the recent sell-out of several of our whites and reds, we’ve been pounding the vineyards looking for worthy replacements. Expect a new Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay to be released in the coming weeks.
We love staying connected, so please join us on facebook and twitter. Also, feel free to reach out anytime at info(at)the20wines.com or 707.238.CASK (2275).
A few nice notes from the media:
And a few from our customers:
“Love the wine and it's the perfect answer for casual wine drinkers who love a glass but not a full bottle.” Scott O, Menlo Park
“It's great for a random Tuesday night or a fun dinner party.” Sally J, San Francisco
"We love the20 because we really look forward to that glass of wine (or 2) after the monsters are in bed!" Debbie P, Los Angeles
"It's just so cool. Everytime we have people over everyone flocks to our cask." Lloyd N, San Francisco
We dig creativity. Below are just a few examples of people letting their creative juices flow when customizing their Lite cask. In the words of En Vogue "Free your mind and the rest will follow."
Our new casks and wines are sure to help you keep (or elevate) your cool this summer!
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We're happy to announce that we're adding a new cask to the20 family, the Chiller. The stainless steel Chiller cask is small enough to fit on any shelf in your fridge and has a built in handle for extreme portability. With the Chiller cask, we turned a decommissioned US Army ammo case into the coolest wine tote in town. We're initially offering the Chiller for only $29, so get one before they're gone.
We're also very excited by the initial reactions to our Lite cask. Beyond being bitching in it's own right, the Lite can now be customized with almost any text or graphic. A customized Lite is perfect for a special occasion gift (wedding, birth, etc) or for adding your own personal touch (family crest, initials, etc). At $69, including engraving, your customized Lite cask is a remarkable steal.
Lastly, we were featured on page 18 of the July issue of Sunset Magazine in a piece titled “Beyond the Bottle.” Unfortunately it's not available online, so you'll have to borrow your friend's copy.
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Our July release from theClub is the 2010 Fontes & Phillips Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley. We're very excited about this wine because it's a true pre-release barrel sample (the public doesn't get access to this wine until the Fall). While it's rare that a Pinot is this vibrant at such a young age, 2010 was an exceptional crop and Winemaker Alan Phillips is legendary (he used to head winemaking for Foley Estates). We have only 10 shipments left, so order now or curse yourself later.
We apologize for recently selling out of the Beholden Petite Syrah (winemaker Billy actually scolded us), but this deep dark nectar is now back in stock!
We'll be packaging 2 new Session wines next week, so be sure to check back soon.
We love staying connected, so please join us on facebook and twitter.
With stay-cations all the rage this summer, the20 will ensure you can at least drink like you're at a luxury resort.
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Last month we told you about the release of our new streamlined wine system, theLite (pictured at right). At $39, theLite is a great way to get the20’s artisan wines flowing in your home ASAP. We’re also working on some very cool options for personalizing your Lite system and we’ll be sharing some examples on our website and on facebook shortly.
We had a few notable media mentions this month. First, we were featured in lifestyle publication Vegas 7 in a piece titled "Oeno-Location."
We were also included in a Father's Day gift guide from one of our favorite trendsetters, fête à fête.
Lastly, we’re very excited to be featured in the July issue of Sunset Magazine in a piece titled “Beyond the Bottle: 3 trends that are changing how you buy and drink wine.” We’ll provide a link once it’s available online.
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Our June release from theClub was the 2008 Mercy Syrah Zabala Vineyard. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, the vines of Zabala Vineyard lead a rough life and therefore produce robust fruit. Our friends at Mercy turned these hearty grapes into a fantastic wine layered with blueberries, boysenberries, and spice. We have very few shipments left, so order soon if you want to experience Mercy’s Syrah.
For July, we decided that we wanted to do our part to help people properly ring in the 4th. To that end, members of theClub that order two wine shipments before July 8th, will also receive a premium Chardonnay shipment for $1. This is for members only, so if you're interested in taking advantage of this absurd deal, sign up for theClub today.
We released two additional Session white wines over the past month, both perfect for the summer:
Don't forget to check us out on facebook and twitter. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out anytime at info(at)the20wines.com or 707.238.CASK (2275).
Although it’s unseasonably cool right now in wine country, we know blazing heat is just around the corner. Our winery partners need this heat to make their grapes sweet and plump, so we welcome the impending warmth with open arms. To help usher in summer, we’re releasing two crisp new whites: the 2010 Session 005 Buddy’s Playground Sauvignon Blanc and the 2010 Session 005 MellowDee Chardonnay. Both wines were born in the lovingly tended Rued Vineyards and both provide a mouthful of refreshment for hot summer days (or nights).
2010 Session 005 Buddy’s Playground Sauvignon Blanc
After a long, hot summer day, this crisp and tropical Sauvignon Blanc will be the perfect companion for a relaxing evening outdoors.
If you were to visit the beautiful Dry Creek Valley vineyard where this wine is harvested, you will more than likely be greeted by Buddy, the winery dog.
Buddy’s family has been farming this land for six generations. His “parents” are a husband-wife team who work side by side to care for the family’s wines from harvest through bottling.
After one visit to this sun-soaked land of rolling vineyards, you will quickly see why it’s called Buddy’s Playground. And after one sip of this 2010 vintage, the crisp tropical and citrus notes will make your taste buds feel like they have found their own summer playground.
Tasting Notes
Tastes of pineapple, citrus, and roasted nuts that linger pleasantly in your mouth
Vineyard Notes
The grapes found in the Buddy’s Playground Sauvignon Blanc are from Rued Vineyard on the northern side of Dry Creek Valley and receive an abundance of beautiful California sunshine during the growing season, which helps ripen the grapes completely.
Production Notes
The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged without any contact with oak. This technique helps showcase the wine’s tropical fruit and grassy qualities that are characteristic of Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc.
2010 Session 005 MellowDee Chardonnay
Put up your feet up and slowly sip a glass of this refreshing 2009 MellowDee Chardonnay. This wine delivers a kick of Gravenstein apples, summer cantaloupe, smooth vanilla and finishes with a sweet treat of butterscotch and peaches.
Folks like Dee Rued are the reason we love working with Sonoma County growers. Don’t let her laid-back demeanor fool you – she’s a lady who knows her stuff. Like Dee, this Chardonnay is intense with some sweetness, passionate but playful, and a whole lot of fun.
Tasting Notes
Crisp acidity, rich textures and intense flavors of Gravenstein apples and sweet summer melons.
Vineyard Notes
The Rued family began growing grapes in the Russian River Valley in the 1800’s and today they farm this small vineyard that produces both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the heart of this scenic valley. The consistent morning fog that blankets these grapes during the summer months helps slow the ripening on the vine which creates this wine’s perfect balance.
Production Notes
This wine was produced primarily in stainless steel, with 10% seeing French oak for 2-3 weeks before packaging. No malolactic fermentation allowed.
It’s been a pretty busy month here in Sonoma, with several big changes at the20, plus four fantastic new wines.
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Our goal at the20 is to offer amazing artisan wines in a more sustainable way. To that end, we’ve made two major changes over the last month.
First, we opened theCellar, our online wine store, to everyone. As far as we're concerned, everyone (especially you) should have access to great wines (especially ours). So go ahead and give theCellar a good look, we guarantee you'll find some gems.
Second, we've decided to offer our customers additional ways to enjoy our wines. To that end, we've designed a streamlined wine delivery system with a streamlined price. If you're interested in our new system, temporarily named "Lite," please check it out here.
On a separate note, the20 was recently featured on the Nashville Scene and the design blog, More Design Please.
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In our April newsletter we introduced our Sessions wines, each of which is chosen by our panels at one of our tasting sessions (hence the name). As we mentioned, each of the Session wines is superbly crafted, but an incredible steal because they don’t carry the winery’s label. Over the last month we’ve introduced four Session wines, with two more to be introduced later this month.
Our April release from theClub was the 2008 Session 001 Beholden Petite Syrah. The head winemaker of a marquee CA winery crafted Beholden for his own personal stash. He called Beholden “the best wine I’ve ever made,” and with its big black fruits, tobacco and silky tannins, there are no arguments here.
We released three additional Session wines over the past month:
Next week we'll be releasing two more Session wines to help prepare you for warmer weather: a Chardonnay and a Sauvignon Blanc.
Please also check out the20 on facebook and twitter. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out anytime at info(at)the20wines.com or 707.238.CASK (2275).
With Spring upon us, dust off your grill, pull your friends out of hibernation and take advantage of the longer days with a dinner party or two. Every great gathering deserves great wine, so check out the wines we're featuring.
whereabouts
We're now able to ship to Idaho and Missouri and expect to open several other states in April. If you're interested in hearing from us when we enter a new state, let us know here.
This month we poured at both the EG Conference in Monterey and SF Vintners Market at Fort Mason. If there's a good event near you, let us know!
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We're featuring the 2009 De Novo Bastille ($85 for equivalent of 4 bottles) as the April release from theClub. As a masterfully crafted "Right Bank" Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cab Sauvignon and Cab Franc, this wine has great fruit, a hint of minerality and subtle tannins. Bastille is De Novo's flagship wine and customers of the20 get to experience it before it's released to the public.
Look out for our new collection of wines called Sessions. These wines are the same superbly crafted artisan wines that we normally feature in theClub or theCellar, but are incredible steals because they don't carry the winery's label. Each wine is carefully chosen at our expert and consumer tasting sessions, hence the name and associated number. While we won't be able to tell you the winery or vineyard behind the wine, we will shed light on each wine's exceptional pedigree, and we guarantee each will delight. We'll soon be introducing 4 Session wines: a 2008 Russian River Zin, a 2008 Alexander Valley Sangiovese, a 2008 Russian River Petite Syrah, and a 2009 Santa Cruz Pinot Noir.
in the news
Over the past month, the20 was featured in UrbanDaddy, Bottlenotes, and most recently in Vegas Seven magazine. Read all about it.
Find us anytime online, on facebook, and on twitter. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out anytime at info(at)the20wines.com or 707.238.CASK (2275).
Special thanks to Chris Saelens for the great bud break photo - see more here.
the20's goal is to provide you with amazing artisan wines that aren’t accessible to most people. We select wines based on winemakers, vineyards, and ultimately the quality of the product. Our wines go through two vigorous tasting panels before they ever reach your doorstep. The first test is a panel of industry experts. Collectively this group has tasted over 200,000 wines. The second is a panel of wine lovers, just like you. If both groups agree it is an exceptional wine, then it will be considered for our customers.
We buy individual barrels from our winery partners, so each wine is limited, and the selection in theCellar (our online store) is always changing. We'll be adding 3-5 wines a month, so check back soon.
Below are the 10 artisan wines we're currently featuring in theCellar. Each 3 liter shipment (equivalent to 4 bottles) provides savings of 25-50% off retail prices:
2009 Kent Rasmussen Napa Valley Chardonnay, $65 - the20 exclusive
2009 De Novo Bastille, $85 ($140 retail) - more info here
2009 Session 002 Dark Horse Santa Cruz Pinot Noir, $64.99 - the20 exclusive
2008 Mercy Pinot Noir, Arroyo Seco, $80 ($128 retail value) - more info here
2008 Session 003 Jubilation Russian River Zinfandel, $56.99 - the20 exclusive
2008 Session 003 Countryman Alexander Valley Sangiovese, $44.99 - the20 exclusive
2007 Domenico Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, $70 – the20 exclusive, more info here
2007 Domenico Charbono - $45 – the20 exclusive, more info here
2007 Acorn Axiom Syrah, $80 ($116 retail value) - more info here
2006 Woodenhead Martinelli Road Old Vine Zinfandel, $100 ($180 retail value) - more info here
For the April release from theClub, we chose the 2009 De Novo Bastille. Born of grapes harvested from select family-owned vineyards throughout Sonoma County, this wine deftly balances bright Sonoma fruit with the subtleties you expect from Old World winemaking.
The 2009 Bastille is De Novo's signature Bordeaux-style blend. While most Bordeaux blends heavily favor either Cabernet Sauvignon (known as a Left Bank blend) or Merlot (a Right Bank blend), the winemaking team determined that for this vintage, a bit more balance was in order, ultimately landing at 59% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc.
De Novo, Latin for beginning anew, is a fantastic example of the good that can be born of challenging situations. Founded by 3 partners in the midst of big life transitions, De Novo focuses on making Old World wines from the grapes of small family-owned vineyards throughout Sonoma County.
Tasting Notes: Cherry, strawberry, cloves and slight minerality; easy tannins and a long compelling finish
Oct 7, 2011 at 10:00 AM
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