For a recap of new wines and best of this year's Top 50, download the Summer 2025 Grape Press!

Porch Wines

As summer wanes, we try to take every measure of enjoyment from the days that remain. There’s still time to call family and friends, grab a bottle or two and meet on the porch, beach, boat or other favorite place to experience the sun setting on another glorious Michiana summer. Porch Wines are some of our best examples of light, refreshing wines that enhance the flavor of season.

Baca 2020 Zinfandel ‘Home Base’, Dry Creek Valley ($26.00)

Bursting with pure flavors of blackberry and raspberry. Enticing layers of fennel, black pepper and candied orange rind add to the refined and mouthcoating palate. Classic Dry Creek Zinfandel finishes with a beautiful balance of power and fresh acidity.

Beronia 2021 Rioja Crianza ($21.00)

Tempranillo, Garnacha and Mazuelo. Well-balanced red is animated by plum skin acidity, with a dark, minerally base underscoring crushed mulberry and blackberry fruit and herbed black olive notes, plus hints of vanilla and graphite. Light tannins define the finish. We often carry the Gran Reserva as well as the Rioja Crianza.

Albert Bichot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Réserve ($29.00)

Grenache, syrah, mourvèdre, cinsault, counoise and carignan. Medium-bodied wine offers aromatic freshness with notes of black fruits and kirsch, pepper and garrigue, embellished with notes of tobacco leaf. Combines the Gras family’s characteristic finesse with the power we expect from southern Rhône.

Try a SANCERRE($35-65)

Sancerre is a fine example of Loire Valley’s sauvignon blanc. Always a client favorite, we rotate offerings with prices that range between $35 and $65. A fun exercise is to sample sauvignon blanc from around the world. You will be surprised.

Wines to Watch

2022 Band of Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley($47)

The Band was formed in 2014, and is now led by Britt Nichols, Evyn Cameron and Des Echavarrie, with the goal of crafting varietals that embody the essence of Napa Valley. Sweet black fruit plus tobacco and clove notes that give serious depth and complexity. Long finish with notes of currant and Madagascar vanilla. Quality is tough to beat for the price!

Oak Farm Vineyards 2023 Sauvignon Blanc ($23)

Nose of peach and apricot with tropical notes of pineapple and passion fruit. Juicy and bright with notes of citrus/lime zest. Minerally dry finish that lingers. Wine Enthusiast Best Buy: 92 Points. Lodi, California.

Zapata 2020 Nicasia Vineyard Malbec ($129)

Catena is an iconic Argentinian producer lauded around the world. Their most prestigious (and highly allocated) bottlings are Catena Zapata. We are fortunate to have the 2020 Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard Malbec in the shop.

It’s a dark violet Malbec. Ripe black-and-red currant, raspberries and an elegant touch of French oak are some of the aromas. Complex and expressive palate, with a creamy violet flavor of ripe blueberries, cassis, vanilla and spice cake. Pairs well with roasted veal, shiitakemushrooms and beef tenderloin. Drink now through 2030.