A lot's changed in the past few millennia, but humans have been drinking wine and making things from clay through it all. The past melds with the present during this clay carving (plus sprinkle of wine) workshop with Danielle Chutinthranond of Monsoon Pottery. Danielle will teach the basics of the inlay techniques used to create Monsoon's signature blue and white wares, and participants will create their own original porcelain plate. Danielle will also discuss the history of inlay and the power of the traditional Asian symbols and motifs she references in her own work, encouraging you to craft your own. Participants are encouraged to bring ideas and line drawings to reference.

And that other older-than-time activity, wine? The All Together Now team has a tasting in store for you featuring a moderate historical angle and maximum deliciousness. We'll also provide a picnic-style dinner to fuel your clay carving work.

This workshop includes:
- A three hour session with hands-on instruction of the inlay technique
- One small porcelain plate for each participant to decorate (additional plates available for $40 each)
- A history lesson on inlay and blue & white wares
- Wine tasting and light picnic-style dinner

Plates usually take 2-3 weeks to fire and finish after the workshop and will be available for pickup at All Together Now when ready.

$120 ticket includes workshop, lesson, and all materials from Monsoon Pottery, plus a guided tasting of three natural wines and light dinner from All Together Now.

Get tickets here.

When it comes to melted cheese consumption, Raclette is among the top three methods ever invented. It’s a bold statement, and we invite you to fact-check us. We’re throwing a party that nods to great ideas from famous cold-weather regions, like a machine purpose-built for melting cheese and scraping it on piles of delicious food, Alpine wines, and going out and enjoying your fellow humans even though the weather sucks. Your $50 ticket to this gathering, which will be held at Present Company, includes all-you-can-eat Raclette, two glasses of wine (NA options available), and a heart- and body-warming good time.

Get tickets here.

Join ALL WE REMEMBER and All Together Now at Present Company for a night of food, wine, and natural indigo dyeing.

During the natural indigo and shibori workshop, ALL WE REMEMBER’s designer Jacob Victorine will teach participants how to dye a 100% organic cotton t-shirt in a naturally fermented fructose indigo vat using shibori (Japanese resist dyeing) techniques. All Together Now will make sure you don't go hungry or thirsty during your dyeing adventures.

Admission to the workshop is $125 and includes all shibori supplies, ALL WE REMEMBER’s 100% organic cotton Classic Tee at a special discounted price, a glass of wine from All Together Now, and light dinner.

Get tickets here.

Join artist and weaver Dee Clements at our event space, Present Company, for a relaxed, hands-on day of basket weaving. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of working with basketry reed to create a beautiful, functional wine tote perfectly sized to carry a single bottle. We’ll finish each tote with a sturdy leather strap, so you’ll leave with a finished piece ready for picnics, dinner parties, or gifting. Wine tasting and lunch are provided by All Together Now, making this a full, nourishing day of making, learning, and enjoying good company. No prior weaving experience needed--just bring your curiosity and a love of handmade things.

Workshop tickets are $125 and include weaving lesson and all materials, lunch from All Together Now, and your favorite bottle of wine from our tasting so you can put your new carrier to work right away.

Get tickets here.

Cheese is awesome. So is wine. But when you bring the two together, magical things can happen. The same concept applies to humans, so bring your romantic partner or your best pal to this special Valentine's Day pairing workshop. You'll start this session by learning basic pairing principles and vocabulary, then the real fun begins. You and your classmates will taste your way through four beverages and five cheeses, mixing and matching to determine for yourself what works and what doesn't. This is a fun, interactive session that'll leave you happy and informed.

$65 per person includes class, four wines, and five cheeses.

Get tickets here.

Come with your best bud(s) or simply bring yourself to this session with flower magicians at Nerine. Nerine will show you how to create a beautiful, sculptural centerpiece for someone special (hint: it's you!). Attendees will learn sustainable mechanics, best practices for modern floral design and leave with a seasonal, unique vase arrangement. We’ll make sure you don’t go hungry or thirsty, too. Your $130 ticket includes the workshop and all materials, plus a glass of wine and tasty snacks from All Together Now.⁠

Get tickets here.

———————

ABOUT NERINE
Nerine is a floral design studio run by Liz Topp and Sinéad Cleary. Nerine’s focus lies in combining the organic ephemerality of flowers with the artistry of sculptural design, creating floral works unique to the flowers and foliage each season offers. Nerine takes orders for flower delivery and pick up, does weddings and events, as well as residential and corporate floral styling. Nerine recently opened a brick-and-mortar studio in Humboldt Park (3236 W Division St).

We're gonna be wine-ing and dyeing with natural dyer Liz Mortenson of Laila Textiles. Liz is joining us for a hands-on exploration of a couple of excellent 'natural' things: making lovely stuff with plant dyes, and drinking delicious low-intervention wines.

This is a three-hour workshop with a primary focus on discovering the art of natural dye and how to bundle dye with plants. The ATN team will punctuate the experience with a guided natural wine tasting and picnic-style dinner.

Liz's natural dyeing workshop will cover:

- Basics of natural dyeing including fabric prep, mordants, and modifiers
- Overview of natural dye plants and how to extract plant dye
- How to naturally bundle dye fabric with plants
- Each student will create and leave with a one-of-a kind bundle dyed 100% silk scarf as well as a PDF with information covered at workshop

$125 ticket includes natural dyeing workshop and all materials, guided tasting of three natural wines, and light dinner.

Get tickets here.

A lot's changed in the past few millennia, but humans have been drinking wine and making things from clay through it all. The past melds with the present during this clay carving (plus sprinkle of wine) workshop with Danielle Chutinthranond of Monsoon Pottery. Danielle will teach the basics of the inlay techniques used to create Monsoon's signature blue and white wares, and participants will create their own original porcelain plate. Danielle will also discuss the history of inlay and the power of the traditional Asian symbols and motifs she references in her own work, encouraging you to craft your own. Participants are encouraged to bring ideas and line drawings to reference.

And that other older-than-time activity, wine? The All Together Now team has a tasting in store for you featuring a moderate historical angle and maximum deliciousness. We'll also provide a picnic-style dinner to fuel your clay carving work.

This workshop includes:
- A three hour session with hands-on instruction of the inlay technique
- One small porcelain plate for each participant to decorate (additional plates available for $40 each)
- A history lesson on inlay and blue & white wares
- Wine tasting and light picnic-style dinner

Plates usually take 2-3 weeks to fire and finish after the workshop and will be available for pickup at All Together Now when ready.

$120 ticket includes workshop, lesson, and all materials from Monsoon Pottery, plus a guided tasting of three natural wines and light dinner from All Together Now.

Get tickets here.

It's time to fill our bellies and our freezers with wontons, and you know what they say: many hands make light work! Grab some friends and join the Chicago Meat Collective at Present Company for an afternoon of hands-on wonton making, featuring locally-raised pork. McCullough of CMC will cover the process from trimming, grinding, and seasoning the meat, then stuffing wontons, with opportunities to get hands-on every step of the way. Class includes a nice big bowl of fresh, steaming hot wontons (with broth, or with soy and black vinegar - your choice, plus chili oil of course), a portion to take home, and a glass of wonton-friendly wine or spirit-free beverage from All Together Now's shelves.

Tickets are $75 and available here.

ABOUT THE CHICAGO MEAT COLLECTIVE
The Chicago Meat Collective is an education and events organization focused on sharing knowledge about the craft of butchery, run by McCullough Kelly-Willis. They've been putting together unique educational experiences centered around hands-on teaching and connecting people with local food in Chicago and beyond since 2018.

We eat first with our eyes, so you’d better make that cheese board handsome. But if you have style without substance, then your board's no better than a reality TV star. That cheese has gotta be GOOD. Seem like a tall order? We promise it’s easier than it sounds, and this hands-on class will set you up with all the tips, tricks, and knowledge you need to make a cheese board that looks as good as it tastes. All Together Now owner Erin will go over different cheese styles, how to shop for a crowd, what questions to ask your cheesemonger, and how to put it all together with an eye toward presentation and ease of enjoyment as you build your own board to take home. Think of it as Cheese 101 in action.

$65 per person includes class, a completed cheese board, and wine. (You’ll have the opportunity to select regular or nonalcoholic wine at checkout.

Get tickets here.

Join artist and weaver Dee Clements at our event space, Present Company, for a relaxed, hands-on day of basket weaving. In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of working with basketry reed to create a beautiful, functional wine tote perfectly sized to carry a single bottle. We’ll finish each tote with a sturdy leather strap, so you’ll leave with a finished piece ready for picnics, dinner parties, or gifting. Wine tasting and lunch are provided by All Together Now, making this a full, nourishing day of making, learning, and enjoying good company. No prior weaving experience needed--just bring your curiosity and a love of handmade things.

Workshop tickets are $125 and include weaving lesson and all materials, lunch from All Together Now, and your favorite bottle of wine from our tasting so you can put your new carrier to work right away.

Get tickets here.

As people who spend a fair amount of time with our noses in wine glasses, we appreciate a thoughtfully-crafted sensory encounter. Thus, we LOVE Diptyque. This French candle crafter makes some of the dreamiest, most evocative, just plain enjoyable fragrances we've ever had the joy of sniffing, and we're thrilled to welcome them to All Together Now for an evening of scents, sips, and nibbles.

At this special session, guests will move through thoughtfully-selected groupings of wine, snacks, Diptyque candles, and personal fragrances. Each station will transport you to a classic holiday experience. Think festive gatherings, clinking glasses, gift-giving joy, cozying up with traditions, and delicious treats shared with loved ones.

Ticket includes guided wine tasting, small bite pairings, and scent lesson, plus a classic-size Diptyque candle of your choice to take home and an in-store shopping discount at All Together Now.

Get tickets here.

We’re turning seven this month, so we’re partying as any respectable seven year-old would: with pizza, cake, and face painting. Silvia’s Pizza is slinging pies, 1-800-CAKES is baking up the confection of our dreams, and if you’ve ever wanted a cornichon painted on your cheek… Well, here’s your chance.

It won’t be a party without YOU! We can’t wait to raise a glass together.

We're gonna be wine-ing and dyeing with natural dyer Liz Mortenson of Laila Textiles. Liz is joining us for a hands-on exploration of a couple of excellent 'natural' things: making lovely stuff with plant dyes, and drinking delicious low-intervention wines.

This is a three-hour workshop with a primary focus on discovering the art of natural dye and how to bundle dye with plants. The ATN team will punctuate the experience with a guided natural wine tasting and picnic-style dinner.

Liz's natural dyeing workshop will cover:

- Basics of natural dyeing including fabric prep, mordants, and modifiers
- Overview of natural dye plants and how to extract plant dye
- How to naturally bundle dye fabric with plants
- Each student will create and leave with a one-of-a kind bundle dyed 100% silk scarf as well as a PDF with information covered at workshop

$115 ticket includes natural dyeing workshop and all materials, guided tasting of three natural wines, and light dinner.

Get tickets here.

Here's the secret to winning Thanksgiving: prepare by eating and drinking tasty stuff in the name of 'research,' then get a sweet discount on aforementioned tasty things. It's that easy.

We’ll be handing out nibbles of our favorite fall cheeses and pouring sips of our top picks for wines to carry you from snacks to turkey to pumpkin pie. Taste, talk, and learn about how to turn all that cheese into a viral social media-worthy moment. We’ll stuff you with samples before you stock up on all the Thanksgiving essentials at a 10% discount.

Your $25 ticket includes oodles of wine and cheese tastings plus education from our team, cheese board-making tips, and 10% off all purchases made that evening. This event runs from 6-8pm, and you can drop in at your convenience during that time.

Get tickets here.

A lot's changed in the past few millennia, but humans have been drinking wine and making things from clay through it all. The past melds with the present during this clay carving (plus sprinkle of wine) workshop with Danielle Chutinthranond of Monsoon Pottery. Danielle will teach the basics of the inlay techniques used to create Monsoon's signature blue and white wares, and participants will create their own original porcelain plate. Danielle will also discuss the history of inlay and the power of the traditional Asian symbols and motifs she references in her own work, encouraging you to craft your own. Participants are encouraged to bring ideas and line drawings to reference.

And that other older-than-time activity, wine? The All Together Now team has a tasting in store for you featuring a moderate historical angle and maximum deliciousness. We'll also provide a picnic-style dinner to fuel your clay carving work.

This workshop includes:
- A three hour session with hands-on instruction of the inlay technique
- One small porcelain plate for each participant to decorate (additional plates available for $40 each)
- A history lesson on inlay and blue & white wares
- Wine tasting and light picnic-style dinner

Plates usually take 2-3 weeks to fire and finish after the workshop and will be available for pickup at All Together Now when ready.

$120 ticket includes workshop, lesson, and all materials from Monsoon Pottery, plus a guided tasting of three natural wines and light dinner from All Together Now.

Get tickets here.

Join us for a cozy autumn evening of artful wreath making with artist Coco Schramel. Using a curated mix of dried florals and unique botanicals, Coco will lead you through the creation of a one-of-a-kind wreath that lasts well beyond the season. All materials are provided, including a sturdy wreath base and an abundance of dried flowers chosen for their texture, fragrance, and longevity. Your ticket includes a glass of wine and abundant snack spread from All Together Now.

As both a floral designer and visual artist, Coco brings an artist’s perspective to her teaching, encouraging you to design with creativity and play. Come solo or bring friends—either way, you’ll leave with a timeless wreath and a warm dose of autumn inspiration.

Tickets are $140 and available here.

Tinned fish isn’t just for the plate — it’s a whole vibe. Join Coco at The CoCo Shop for a playful, design-forward workshop where we’ll turn this trending obsession into art. Plus we'll have snacks and a tinned-fish takeaway provided by All Together Now!

Coco will sketch out a series of chic tinned-fish motifs (sardines, anchovies, oysters — the works) for you to carve into your own linocut stamp. You’ll learn the basics of carving + printing, then use your stamp to create custom tote bags and prints on paper to take home.

What’s Included:

• Guided linocut printing lesson (no experience needed)

• Tote bag + papers to print your designs on

• Curated snacks and tinned fish spread plus a glass of wine from our friends at All Together Now (BYOB welcome too)

• Tinned fish takeaway

• 10% off all fish–themed goods in the shop 

Tickets are $85 and available HERE.

It’s said that you can learn a lot about yourself in the face of adversity. How do you proceed in the wake of catastrophic events? How do you remain resolute and steadfast in your path when everything you knew has been drastically altered? With the growing impacts of climate change, these are questions many winemakers have had to consider, their livelihood and surrounding land and earth unmercifully compromised. One of many affected by the Northern California wildfires in 2017, Chenoa Ashton-Lewis witnessed the near wipe-out of her family vines on Sonoma Mountain. Chenoa and her family debated replanting the damaged vines for some time, that is until they stumbled upon an almost mystical sign while strolling the vineyard in 2019: new vines beginning to sprout, indicative of the resilience and life of their precious site. 

Joined by her partner Will Basanta, the couple have reinvigorated the family’s story and connection to Sonoma winemaking. From nostalgic Cabernets and Chardonnays to mixed-fruit ciders and bubbles, the Ashanta label epitomizes the dedication, history, wonder, and creativity of producing wines naturally in California today. We’re moved by their honoring of tradition while paving new paths forward in the ever-evolving landscape of wine. It may be interpreted in numerous ways, but I view this story as one that places love and openness as the driving force – whether that is for producing pure wines, embracing challenges gracefully to learn from them, or to remind ourselves of our roots. 

Did someone order dinner with a side of ILLUSIONS? We’ll have that right out for you!

Join us for a meal plus a magic show from Walter King Jr., aka “The Spellbinder.” King is a self-taught magician who combines hip-hop dance, music, and theater with the visual art of illusion. He’s a born-and-raised Chicagoan from the Westside who’s spent nearly four decades performing throughout the country for the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Gladys Knight, and Chance the Rapper. He’ll put on a mind-bending magic show that’ll leave you (dare we say it?) SPELLBOUND.

This event includes a glass of wine* and family-style dinner followed by a rousing performance from The Spellbinder.

DINNER MENU
*** COMING SOON ***

If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, please email greetings@alltogethernow.fun before reserving your seat. We’ll do our best to accommodate!

* N/A wine available

Tickets are $85 and available here.

The city’s wine community is a budding and inspiring one, and it’s folks like our good friend Randall Bush of Loci Wine who spark a pure curiosity and excitement for wine in us. His small import & distribution company, Loci Wine, is an homage to the places these wines hail from as well as the shared spaces and human hands that make this all possible – reminding us that wine has always been about history, culture, humanity, and love (for our Earth, for one another). We’re delighted to feature a shop favorite from Randall’s pensive book for tomorrow’s tasting: Luca and Carolina Valfaccenda from Roero, Piedmont. Listening to Randall speak about wine and reflect on its importance has always moved me, so I’d like to share some words from the man himself on the allure of Valfaccenda: 

“Since 2010 when Luca and Carolina reclaimed his family’s lands after making wine in both Barolo and the Roero, their wines have been recognized for their incredible combination of clarity and depth, texture and purity – wines that, for them, could only be made by light hands and from fruit grown on the steep, sandy soils of the Roero.

Luca and Carolina have in recent years expanded friendships with winemakers across Italy and France, and have even begun to make wines from friends’ vineyards in Italy, further north and east into the Asti zone. The project of these wines, called bis-esti vini (leap year wines), arose out of the culmination of increasingly difficult climate conditions in the Roero – in particular, devastating hail activity in 2020. This has been an opportunity both to utilize young estate fruit in unique ways (the partially carbonic Nebbiolo of Vindabeive, and their youngest Arneis with friends’ Cortese in Bis-lacco Bianco), but also to bring Luca’s careful hand and deft cellar work to new grapes, including the beautifully fresh Freisa in Bis-turna. Winemaking here is similar to the all-estate wines: light skin-contact for the whites, gentle macerations in concrete for the reds, with aging predominantly in concrete. 

Like Luca and Carolina themselves, the wines of Valfaccenda are generous but thoughtful, energetic but not at all simple, clear in their vision but never strident.”

We will taste the three wines listed above, jovial bottlings that come from wonderfully loving human beings. How beautiful this world of wine is – let’s cheers to that as the first chill, fall evening unfolds. 

We're hanging out with fall flowers, a big, fat harvest of early autumn’s fruits and veggies, and our friends at Nerine, and you’re invited! At this party--err, workshop! WORKSHOP!--Nerine will show you how to create a beautiful, sculptural centerpiece using local, autumnal blooms and fall produce. Attendees will learn sustainable mechanics, best practices for modern floral design and leave with a seasonal, unique vase arrangement. We’ll make sure you don’t go hungry or thirsty, too. Your ticket includes the workshop and all materials, plus a glass of wine and tasty snacks from All Together Now.⁠

Get tickets here.

———————

ABOUT NERINE
Nerine is a floral design studio run by Liz Topp and Sinéad Cleary. Nerine’s focus lies in combining the organic ephemerality of flowers with the artistry of sculptural design, creating floral works unique to the flowers and foliage each season offers. Nerine takes orders for flower delivery and pick up, does weddings and events, as well as residential and corporate floral styling. Nerine recently opened a brick-and-mortar studio in Humboldt Park (3236 W Division St).

We’re letting the Spanish art of doing nothing (but doing it very well) flow free and strong for La Hora del Vermut, a joyful, tasty evening with Cueva Nueva. Spain’s “vermouth hour” is akin to Italy’s aperitivo, France’s apéro, and our own American happy hour. But the tradition of la hora del vermut diverges decisively from its peers in its insistence on wallowing unapologetically in the magic of the moment. So what the heck does that mean for you on the evening of September 25? Expect a laidback party with salty Spanish-style snacks aplenty, great music, and generous quantities of bittersweet, herbaceous Cueva Nueva Vermut Rojo. And Phi , Cueva Nueva’s co-founder, will be around to make sure we’re getting it right. 

Your ticket to this party includes two Cueva Nueva cocktails, snacks (gildas! pan con tomate! croquetas! and more!), and a real good time. 

** Please note that this gathering will be held at Present Company, All Together Now's event space a few doors down from the restaurant. **

Purchase tickets here.

We're gonna be wine-ing and dyeing with natural dyer Liz Mortenson of Laila Textiles. Liz is joining us for a hands-on exploration of a couple of excellent 'natural' things: making lovely stuff with plant dyes, and drinking delicious low-intervention wines.

This is a three-hour workshop with a primary focus on discovering the art of natural dye and how to bundle dye with plants. The ATN team will punctuate the experience with a guided natural wine tasting and picnic-style dinner.

Liz's natural dyeing workshop will cover:

- Basics of natural dyeing including fabric prep, mordants, and modifiers
- Overview of natural dye plants and how to extract plant dye
- How to naturally bundle dye fabric with plants
- Each student will create and leave with a one-of-a kind bundle dyed 100% silk scarf as well as a PDF with information covered at workshop

$115 ticket includes natural dyeing workshop and all materials, guided tasting of three natural wines, and light dinner.

Get tickets here.

Free of pretense and full of life. The wines of Domaine des Sablonnettes transmit this quality powerfully, going on 20+ years of natural wine production. Christine and Joel Menard grow grapes and make wine in the Coteaux du Layon AOC of the Loire Valley, an appellation known for sweet white wine production. With large monocultural estates surrounding them, the Menards have quietly built up to 13-hectares of vines that have been treated biodynamically since 2007. The couple prioritizes a balanced ecosystem to optimize the soil health and vine strength, which results in exceptionally detailed wines although they carry the spirit (and pricepoint) of humble cave or bistro glass pours. 

The whites are streamlined and focused with a slight honeyed touch. The macerations intrigue with their tangy, lactic aromas and enamor with their lush, sensuous flair. And the reds carry a charm built off pretty light fruit with a kiss of primal, rugged edge. It’s a true joy to share these bottles with you. We’ll taste ‘P’tit Blanc’ (direct press Chenin Blanc), ‘Zeste’ (macerated Chenin Blanc), & ‘Les Copains D’Abord’ (Gamay & Groslot). See you soon.

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Tasty Tuesday is our weekly wine tasting where we’ll  introduce you to bottles that make our hearts sing, intriguing and rare grape varietals, and winemakers we dig. 

$10 to taste and FREE for wine club members

Tuesday 9/16, we’ll travel west of Frankfurt into the small village of Mandel with an exciting tasting of a newer producer to the shop: Glow Glow. The wine world of Germany today is a scene full of creativity and opportunity, as climate change has allowed for the production of lush whites that retain that chiseled acidity. Not to mention lightweight reds offering qualities that mesmerize us in the ways that great Northern French wine has. Glow Glow’s bottles will be a prime example of the Baumberger’s invigorating winemaking.

The approach – nothing new but endlessly refreshing – is as follows: “nothing is added, nothing is taken away. We want to capture pure vividness in the wines.” The power and magic there is in this simplicity is undeniable. You feel the balance that the Nahe River brings into the mix, the cool climate translating into refreshing, low-alcohol tonics, and much more. The siblings behind this project, Pauline and Carl, began with a pure curiosity for organic farming and natural vinification in a place where that wasn’t happening much. 

We’re grateful for these efforts. Despite how simple it may sound, returning to the ancestral methods has become a bold effort in the face of climate change, complying to stylistic trademarks of a region, and many other factors. We will taste a Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), a Riesling, and a Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir). Come sip the purity and spirit!

Pop by between 4-6pm on Tuesday 9/9 - $10 to taste and free to Wine Club members.

As people who spend a fair amount of time with our noses in wine glasses, we appreciate a thoughtfully-crafted sensory encounter. Thus, we LOVE Diptyque. This French candle crafter makes some of the dreamiest, most evocative, just plain enjoyable fragrances we've ever had the joy of sniffing, and we're thrilled to welcome them to All Together Now for an evening of scents, sips, and nibbles.

At this special session, guests will move through thoughtfully-selected groupings of wine, snacks, Diptyque candles, and personal fragrances. Each station will transport you to a classic autumnal experience. Think crispy hikes, leaf voyeurism, cable knit sweaters, an oven full of root vegetables, fuzzy slippers, and that book you've been meaning to read all summer long.

Tickets are $135 each and include a guided wine tasting, small bite pairings, and scent lesson, plus a classic-size Diptyque candle of your choice to take home and an in-store shopping discount at All Together Now.

Get tickets here.

This transition into fall is a special season for drinking wine. I feel like we dine and drink a bit more slowly and presently during these months. The smells of slow cooker and sheet pan roast dishes circulate and there’s magic in opening a bottle to sip pre, intra, and post dinner. You experience the evolution of what’s inside the bottle, piecing together the essence of its place and steward. With our excitement for the fall’s commencement, it’s a pleasure to share wines from the iconic Clos du Tue-Boeuf estate. Ethereal juices that serve as reference points for our team – pristinely mineral whites with charming texture and subtle reds that balance refinement and countryside soul so wonderfully. 

The Puzelat’s family roots in the Loire-et–Cher department date back to the 1400s. Nowadays, the estate is led by Thierry Puzelat – a thoughtful vigneron with an immeasurable influence in sparking the Loire natural wine movement in the 90s – and his daughter, Zoe. What I find incredibly inspiring about the family’s story is the persistence and steadfast commitment to organic and natural approaches despite constant rejection from local appellation authorities. Belief in their terroirs and the magical potions they could yield was never in question, but the family remained rooted in how to manifest this on their own terms. For 30+ years, they’ve been champions of organic viticulture and intuitive stewardship in the cellar. True OGs that have touched many around the world – it’s a joy experiencing the Puzelat's story as it continues to evolve.  

You’ll notice the wines vibrate and have pulse, yet finish as swift liquids that are primed for the prolonged dinners this season brings. Iconic bistro wines with the depth to accompany a wide range of dishes and remarkable finesse that make them just so yummy on their own. We’ll taste the following and hope you’ll find something to accompany the relaxed autumnal evenings to come: ‘Le Petit Buisson’ (Sauvignon Blanc), ‘Pineau d’Aunis’, & ‘La Guerrerie’ (Cot & Gamay). Nos vemos.

Pop by between 4-6pm on Tuesday 9/9 - $10 to taste and free to Wine Club members.

Wines that walk a tightrope across multiple styles are endlessly thrilling. In particular, the dark rosé-meets-light red category is one that pulls our heart strings as something we can turn to for cozy dinner parties, sunny outdoor hangouts, pizza and couch wine, and many more contexts. What’s possible in this dynamic lane of wine is the intersection of depth, finesse, and aromatic allure.

We’ll joyfully celebrate these wines and taste distinct versions of them by three projects we adore: Bichi (Tecate MX), Le Coste (Lazio IT), and Riley O’Neill Latta (Anza CA). Bichi’s ‘Pepe Nat’ is a pet-nat of Dolcetto that sports a gorgeous hue. Primal and delectable, a riveting juxtaposition that displays the magic of Baja’s rugged terrains. What will follow is a certified classic: Le Coste’s Litrozzo in rosato form. Clementine & Gianmarco’s wines are spirited and have a verve that is difficult to replicate. Few wines can match the summer-y and festive character that this bottle surges with. Capping it off in stunning form, we’ll open Riley O’Neill Latta’s ‘Loon’, a blend of Viognier, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Mourvedre. A friend and inspiring artisan, the brightness in the wine is a pure reflection of the hands they come from. The future of California wine is so bright.

As we kiss the summer goodbye, these wines are a beautiful reminder of how we can celebrate the end of the season and embrace the autumnal surroundings to come. In shorts under the sun or in your first layered outfit of the fall, the pure nature of the vinos will sing in the same way. A wonderful treat to share with you all!

-Ivan

This Tuesday, we will be popping open three bottles from the humble and charming Romain des Grottes. I remember first meeting Romain last fall when he was in Chicago for a long weekend. I found out many things about him: his love for crisp, light beers; that goat cheese is a favorite of his to pair with his delicate Gamays and exciting hybrid bottlings; and that he finds Chicago’s wine scene amongst the freshest and most exciting, even compared to Paris (which I thought was crazy cool). 

But what has remained atop of mind and memory is his laid back and sweet character. He’s a passionate vigneron who left Parisian city life to live slowly and presently with his family in Saint-Etienne-des-Ouillieres, about an hour north of Lyon. He spoke about his work and wines with great enthusiasm, but also with deep curiosity and contemplation. This is when he told me about working with hybrid grape varietals and producing mixed-fruit bottlings to see through his vision on Beaujolais winemaking: honest, lifted wines that are tres digeste. And even the Gamays, like his flagship ‘Brut de Cuve’, manage to feel nostalgic in the Lyonnais bistro spirit yet completely individualistic at once. Energy and vivacity are the main qualities that come to my mind.

Romain and I crossed paths again in California this past March at a wine fair. Before I said hello, his smile widened as he greeted me with a hug. Again, he was quick to speak on the inspiration  and the deep sense of community he felt during his US visits. Like him, the wines have a spark that make you smile and fill the heart as quick as you’ll refill the glass. I hope we can explore that feeling together this Tuesday with the following bottles: ‘Passion Paradise’, ‘Amphore Rouge’, and ‘Brut de Cuve’. Santé and see you soon!

-Ivan