Every Wine Has a Story to Tell
Here are four that we think you’ll love.
Wine is all about people. People who dedicate time and passion to the craft, from selecting the right grape to creating beautiful label art… and people who enjoy a nice glass of the finished product! That’s why our wine experts, category manager Patrick Maulfair and his team, are here to help you enjoy it just that much more. This month, we’re highlighting four amazing wines from our extensive selection, along with stories of the people who inspire and create them. Be sure to look for them in the wine aisle on your next shopping trip!
Franciscan Chardonnay
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Description |
Flavor Profile |
Food Pairings |
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full-bodied white |
Poached pear, crème brûlée, minerality & marzipan notes. |
Shellfish, pork, chicken & creamy seafoods. |
Once upon a time—in 1973, to be exact—Franciscan Estate was founded by two San Franciscans who turned a passion for winemaking into a business. Today, that business is flourishing, yet the original founders’ passion is echoed in the winery’s distinctive, long-standing traditions, such as the use of a portion of native or “wild” yeast in this elegant chardonnay. Enjoy it with lemon-poached fish (such as salmon or trout) and lemon-pepper asparagus, a hearty pasta (such as fettuccine, tagliatelle, or pappardelle) with lemon-cream sauce, or herbed roasted chicken.
1000 Stories Gold Rush Red
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Description |
Flavor Profile |
Food Pairings |
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full-bodied red |
Rich cherry, cassis, leather & spices. |
Beef, lamb, veal & poultry. |
This red blend, a tribute to the spirit of boldness and curiosity inspired by the miners of the California Gold Rush, really could inspire a thousand stories—or more! Cabernet, syrah, and zinfandel varietals come together with a touch of petite syrah and merlot. The wine is aged in an assortment of old and new bourbon barrels for an exciting complexity of flavor. Pair it with a robust, meaty dish, just like they used to cook over an open fire.
AVA Grace Chardonnay
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Description |
Flavor Profile |
Food Pairings |
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light-bodied & fruity |
White peach, apple, almonds, vanilla & delicate oak. |
Simple seafoods, salads & vegetables. |
Though the acronym AVA stands for American Viticultural Area, AVA Grace Vineyards was named with another meaning in mind. The name Ava shares a Latin root with the word for life, and it’s this concept that inspires the winery’s elegant collection—a sense of grace that captures the vibrant sunshine and abundant growth of a vineyard in every glass. This unoaked, fruit-forward chardonnay reflects the delicacy of the grapes, which are sourced from various areas of California. Pair it with grilled cayenne prawns over risotto, or a rustic garden vegetable soup.
Made by James Merlot
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Description |
Flavor Profile |
Food Pairings |
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full-bodied red |
Velvety & lingering; dark fruit, vanilla & spice. |
Red meats, aged cheeses, herbed chicken, braised dishes & chocolate desserts. |
James Foster has been crafting beloved wines for other labels for decades. He recently struck out on his own and created this flagship vintage to strengthen the connection between his passion for winemaking and his joy of sharing that art with enthusiasts like you. Foster sources grapes from lower-yielding vineyards in pursuit of more concentrated flavor, and believes in making very few winemaking “touches” in the cellar to allow the essence of those grapes to shine.
Meet our Experts
Wine category manager Patrick has a background in fine dining, where he found his passion for wine. He has visited numerous wineries and California is his go-to wine region.
Scott is a wine buyer who specializes in whites and sparkling wines, but in his leisure time he enjoys a full-bodied cabernet sauvignon with a full plate of chicken parmesan, pasta, and red sauce.
Tobi is a wine buyer who loves wines that have depth, but are approachable. Her advice on choosing a good bottle of wine is always to keep exploring new varietals that are comparable to your trusted favorites. Enjoy cabernet sauvignon? Extend your palate to Sangiovese.
Erik, a wine buyer, has tried wines produced all over the world. He loves big bold cabs from California to fresh rosés on a warm summer evening. He is always looking for the next great wine.
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