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Orange You Glad We Said Skin Contact?
Skin-contact wines offer some of the most interesting, thought-provoking drinking experiences on the planet—that being said, not all orange wines are created equal. Here at Windmill, we hold our skin-contact wines to the same standard we do across the board, meaning they must be well balanced, responsibly made, and of course, super tasty to drink.
This week, we're excited to announce the return of Sanctum Leptir, one of our favorite orange wines, to the shop. Produced from a 50/40/10 blend of Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris, this Slovenian gem comes from high-altitude, dry-farmed vines rooted in marl, clay, and sandy soils.
For Leptir, all grapes are hand harvested and processed separately. The Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris spontaneously ferment in open-top vessels and see 14-21 days of skin contact prior to aging in Slovenian oak barrels. The Chardonnay is whole-bunch pressed and fermented with native yeasts in a combination of Slovenian and French oak. After 10 months, all three varieties are blended in stainless steel tanks and bottled without filtration.
On the palate, fruit-driven flavors of dried apricots, wildflowers, spicy pear, black tea, and orange marmalade lead to a honeyed, savory finish. The tannin presence is bright and non-aggressive, rendering this a great intro to the orange wine category without being overly funky. Pair with grilled poultry, Mediterranean-inspired mezze, curry dishes, or a variety of hard cheeses.
Cheers!
Loire Valley #CheninCheninChenin – A Windmill Favorite!
Loire Valley Chenin is the gift that keeps on giving. The variety's naturally high acidity renders it capable of being made into both still and sparkling wines, and its unique ability to become inflicted with noble rot makes it a rare contender for creating some of the world's most exquisite sweet wines. In short, Chenin can truly do it all.
This week, we're excited to share one of our favorite expressions of Loire Valley Chenin, Bigottière. Produced at the hands of Terra Vita Vinum—and hailing from the renowned appellation of Savennières—fruit for this wine comes from sandstone-schist soils and is aged on fine lees in barrel for 18 months prior to bottling.
Textured, mineral driven, and wildly food friendly, this bone dry bottle exudes flavors of green apple, honeyed stone fruit, beeswax, and crushed rocks. Although easy to drink, make no mistake—this is a serious wine that promises to drink beautifully both now and later (hello, cellar candidate!)
Cheers!
It's Here! Isolation Proof Summer Gin (Locally Produced!)
It's here! Isolation Proof Summer Gin is back in stock for the season—that is, while supplies last.
Founded by our friend Jake Sherry, this locally-produced brand of gin is crafted right in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. Sustainably produced and distilled with minimal intervention, Isolation focuses on seasonal iterations of small-batch gin, which are made with a variety of barks, herbs, and botanicals.
Isolation's Summer Gin is made with the brand's core stash of botanicals (juniper, angelica root, orange peel, and more), coupled with seasonal summer ingredients such as blood orange peel, locally-grown rhubarb, pink peppercorn, and a hint of raw honey sourced from bees on the distillery's property—however, the iteration's true standout feature is its rhubarb emphasis, which is reflected in the gin's beautiful pale pink hue.
Fresh, earthy, and seriously delicious, this locally-produced spirit is great on its own, yet also makes a stellar component for seasonal twists on Summer G&Ts.
Cheers!
Natural / Chillable Red & Rosé from Claus Preisinger!
Although France's natural wine scene generally gets all of the glory, Austrian delicious, acid-forward wines have long been giving the country a run for its money. This week, we're excited to share the return of Claus Preisigner's Puszta Libre and Rózsa Libre, two of our favorite picks for early summer.
Located on the north shore of Lake Neusiedl, Claus Preisinger has been making biodynamic wines from native Austrian grapes for just over 20 years. In the cellar, all wines are fermented with native yeasts, and little to no sulfur is added unless absolutely necessary. A fan of reduction—and a true wild spirit at heart—the energy found in Claus' wines are a direct reflection of the hands that make them.
Claus' Puszta Libre is an easy-drinking blend of Zweigelt and St. Laurent, two of the region's signature grapes. Light and juicy, the wine shows flavors of tart red fruits and hints of spice, and most definitely comes alive with a chill. Think of it like Austrian glou-glou in one of its finest forms. (We particularly love it with pizza or BBQ fare.)
Additionally, Claus makes a pink version, Rózsa Libre. Crafted from Zweigelt and St. Laurent, the wine is vinified and aged entirely in steel so as to preserve its natural freshness, then is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Expect vibrant notes of strawberry, citrus, and hints of saline to lead to a vibrant, bone dry finish.
Cheers!
Biodynamic Bubbles from One of Our Favorite Austrian Producers!
The sun's out, the temps are warm, and it's finally beginning to feel like spring—what better way to celebrate than with delicious and affordable bottle of bubbles?
We've carried Meinklang wines at Windmill for a while, and our love for them has only grown over time. Biodynamic, budget-friendly, and seriously delicious, these wines truly overdeliver for their price point (and are consistently reliable in pleasing a variety of palate preferences!)
This week, we're excited to announce the return of Meinklang 'Epic' Pét-Nat to our shelves, just in time for some of the best weather of the year. Crafted from a biodynamically-farmed blend of Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner, and Muscat, this pleasantly fizzy bottle of bubbles offers bright and juicy flavors of tropical fruits, green apple, and freshly sliced citrus. It's a no brainer for picnics, lunches, and brunches everywhere—and the only thing better than its taste is its price tag!
Stop by, grab a bottle, and say hello, we'd love to see you in person. (P. S. We are now offering 18% off case discounts on in-store purchases on Mondays!)
Cheers!
Tailleurs Cueilleurs Grenala Gamay
This week, we're excited to share an extremely limited amount of one of our favorite expressions of the grape (and interestingly enough, it isn't from Beaujolais!)
Tailleurs Cailleurs, which translates to 'pruners-pickers,' is rooted on the northern side of Bugey, a small Alpine appellation located between Lyon and Geneva. Spearheaded by Chloé Bey and Jordan d'Osualdo, this miniscule project focuses on organic / biodynamic farming and no-sulfur vinification.
Their Grenala Gamay comes from a plot of 50-year-old vines rooted in clay-limestone soils. In the cellar, fruit is fermented whole bunch with partial carbonic maceration and aged in large demi-muids prior to bottling. The resulting wine embodies everything we love about chillable reds—expect high-toned flavors of chilled raspberries, cranberry, damp earth, and refreshing notes of dried herbs to lead to a cooling, lip-puckering finish.
The wine's only downfall? Its extremely small production—we've got just six bottles of it in stock.
Stop by and say hello all weekend long. We'd love to see you in person.
Cheers!
Rustic Natty Red
With the early days of spring finally upon us, we’ve been craving crunchy-yet-rustic reds that, when served with a chill, pair perfectly with the moderate weather (and longer days!) ahead.
While certain regions—think Loire Valley and Beaujolais—are often our go-to picks for finding fun, chillable natty reds, there are so many other off-the-beaten-path regions and varieties to discover. Enter this gem from Stéphane Lucas, produced in the Côtes du Tarn appellation in South West France.
Stéphane farms just 0.77 hectares of vines that yield two small-production cuvées, and La Papillon d’Orphée is one of them (note, he does indeed purchase some grapes from neighbors, which helps to beef up his annual production numbers). However, his entire production is dedicated to Braucol, an old local variety otherwise known as Fer Servadou.
In the vines, Stéphane is a fervent believer in organic farming, and he also implements biodynamic principles. All vineyard work is done by hand, and cover crops such as legumes and grains are cultivated between rows. Papillon d’Orphée undergoes a short maceration prior to native yeast fermentation and is aged for 10 months in steel.
On the palate, the wine is flavor packed, crunchy, and offers an ever-so-slight grip – think of it like your favorite Cabernet Franc from Chinon, but with more earthy, tart fruit flavors but less tannins. It’s rustic and natty, yet also very bright and clean—and at just 11.5% ABV, the wine is perfect for sipping with a slight chill on warmer evenings.
Stop by and say hello all weekend long. We'd love to see you in person.
Cheers!
Tasty, Spring-Approved Pét-Nat
To kick April off on a high note, we're excited to share that Agnès and René Mosse's Moussamoussettes Rosé Pét-Nat is back in stock—and we can't think of a better bottle to usher in spring.
Based in the Coteaux du Layon area of Anjou (Loire Valley), the Mosse family has been pioneering natural winemaking far before it was as fashionable to do so as it is now. Today, the pair is joined by their sons, Jo and Sylvestre, who also work with them in the village of St-Lambert-du-Lattay.
Generally speaking, the Coteaux du Layon area of the Loire is known for its sweet wines, though a small number of producers (including the Mosses) have chosen to cultivate a variety of different grapes in the area's schist and sandstone-based soils, as well as vinify them in a number of styles—from bone dry Chenin to pleasantly fizzy pét-nats with a hint of residual sugar and beyond.
In addition to being an industry favorite since its early days, Moussamoussettes is also one of our go-to bottles at Windmill. Produced dfrom a blend of Grolleau and Pineau d'Aunis, the wine is disgorged and recorked prior release. On the palate, fruit-forward flavors of raspberry, strawberry, cream, and grapefruit rind lead to a frothy, fizzy finish. In addition to being incredibly easy to drink, the wine also clocks in under $30—a true win-win!
We also just received the latest vintage of the Mosse's Bangarang Rouge this past week. Grab one of each to truly start the month with a bang (see what we did there?)
Stop by and say hello all weekend long. We'd love to see you in person. Cheers!
Classic Bubbles That Won't Break the Bank
As we turn the corner into March, we can finally see the light at the end of the winter hibernation tunnel (despite the recent snow storm, that is!) This week, we're excited to share our new favorite bottle of French bubbles that drinks like Champagne, though will run you less than half the price.
If you've not yet tried the wines from Albert Mann, we truly cannot recommend them enough. Based in Alsace, he's one of our favorite biodynamic producers in all of France, especially for sparkling wine.
Produced from a blend of Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois, fruit for this sparkling wine comes from vines averaging 30 years in age that are rooted in sandy clay-limestone soils.
This budget-friendly bottle presents a clean and classic feel on the palate, yet promises to keep your wallet happy, too. Pair with a variety of foods, from pizza to cheeseboards to simple chips or popcorn and beyond. You really can't go wrong here.
Fun (but Not Funky) V-Day Pairings from Altar Uco!
This week, we're excited to share that Altar Uco's 2021 Malbec and 2020 Cabernet are both back in stock. We've carried both of these stunning wines before, though rarely at the same time.
Crafted by Tupungato-based winemaker Juan Pablo Michelini—who is also the head winemaker at his family's winery, Zorzal—these Argentinian wines are everything we look for in South American reds: they're fresh, they're youthful, and they're incredibly vibrant. Both of these bottles are fun without being funky, rendering them perfect crowdpleasing bottles for red wine lovers of all preferences.
The cherry on top? The bottles are absolutely stunning (we've been known to repurpose them as flower vases or water bottles once drained!)
On a separate note, this Valentine's Day we'll be hosting a very special, four-course wine pairing dinner at Millstream Tavern, hosted by our resident chef, Dan Silverman. Chef Dan will talk us through each course, followed by a pairing explanation by our in-house wine director. Seating takes place at at 6pm. Reservations in advance are required.
To book your table, click here.
We'll be at Windmill with regular hours all weekend long. Stop by, say hello, and grab a bottle or few – we'd love to see you.
Our Go-To Italian Table Wine of 2023
If you're anything like us, Italian table wine was likely one of the first wines you tasted—whether sipping while study abroad, vacationing with family in Italy, or simply stealing a swig from your parents' at-home collection.
Although our palates have expanded, our love for classic Italian table wine remains, though unsurprisingly, a good amount of it isn't made very well. When we stumbled upon Atilia, we knew that this was the bottle we'd been looking for!
Rooted in central Italy, the Jasci family has been making wine for three generations, with quality and responsible farming always at the helm of their work. The estate has impressively been cultivating vines organically since 1980, far before it was fashionable to do so in their region. The same love and attention to detail are paid both in the vines and the cellar by the current generation, Donatello and Piera, today.
Crafted entirely from Montepulciano, fruit for this wine comes from pergola-trained vines rooted in clay-heavy soils. Fruit is hand harvested, fermented with native yeasts, and macerated for two weeks in stainless steel prior to short aging / bottling. On the palate, the wine is everything you want it to be: juicy, fruit driven, and laden with flavors of cherries, red plum, and dried herbs.
Best of all, the wine comes in a liter-sized bottle and costs just $16, meaning the bang for your buck is seriously real. Next time pizza, pasta, or anything with red sauce is on the menu, this should hands down be the wine on the table.
Stop by, say hello, and grab a bottle (or few) to sip this season – we'd love to see you in person.
Cheers!
New Year, Same Us
While a good deal of people are partaking Dry January, rest assured, we've got your back. After all, what's the start to the New Year without a few great bottles?
This week, we're sharing one of our longtime, lower-ABV hits to ring in 2023: Mosse Bisou Vin de France 2021. This biodynamic, "kitchen sink" blend of Grolleau Noir, Grolleau Gris, Gamay, Cabernet Franc, and Chenin Blanc is produced at the hands of one of the Loire Valley's most legendary producers – and best of all, runs at the mid-$20 price point.
Fun and fruit-driven, this high-toned wine jumps with flavors of pink and red fruits (strawberry, raspberry) and exudes a refreshing minerality that balances the wine's tart acidity. Palate-cleansing undertones of white pepper lead to a long, silky, finish (and at just 11.5% ABV, the wine drinks beautifully with a slight chill or at room temperature).
Stop by, say hello, and grab a bottle (or few) to kick off the New Year on a high note – we'd love to see you in person.
Cheers!
'Tis the Season for Holiday Cocktails!
As much as we love wine, sometimes the occasion calls for something stronger—especially around the holidays. This week, we're excited to share one of three new Canadian spirits we've brought in this week, perfect for ringing in the season.
Produced in Nova Scotia, Fundy Gin is one of our favorite go-to bottles for mixing up seasonal libations. This maritime spirit is double stilled from corn using local water (over local beach stones, too!) then re-distilled a third time to ensure the gin is as pure and precise as possible. Hand-picked local seaweed, as well as juniper, coriander, and a handful of other local botanicals are used in Fundy Gin, rounding out its coastal-meets-herbal flavor profile.
Best of all, a portion of proceeds of every bottle of Fundy Gin sold goes to the Whale Sanctuary Project. Drinking gin for a good cause? Sign us up.
While Fundy Gin is delightful on its own, we find that mixing it with a splash of tonic and a squeeze or fresh citrus makes for the perfect crowdpleasing (and easy-to-make) holiday cocktail.
Cheers!
Old Vine Chablis
Come mid-November, our brain is completely dominated by thoughts of food and wine pairing, particularly in the context of the upcoming holiday season.
This week, we're excited to share one of the newest additions to our shop shelves, which happens to also be one of the most perfect food-pairing wines on the planet: Christophe et Fils Vieilles Vignes Chablis.
Sébastien Christophe produces some of the most beloved expressions of Chablis year in and year out. His wines are classically styled, produced from sustainably-farmed/organically-farmed fruit, and come from the region's signature Kimmeridgian clay soils.
On the table, classic Chablis is one of the most versatile bottles to pair with food. The wine's lean structure, ample acidity, and mineral-driven profiles are perfect for cutting through rich dishes, yet simultaneously complement salty fried foods, raw bar favorites, and more.
We can't think of a better bottle to have on your Thanksgiving Day table. If you're only going to stick with one white for the day, this bottle promises to carry you through the entire meal (and beyond).
Stop by and grab a bottle (or few) for before the big day. We'd love to see you in person.
Juicy, Chillable Gamay from Laurence et Remi Dufaitre
Our love for Beaujolais knows no limits, especially during the fall months. However, as the region's wines become more and more popular, finding solid bottles at a great price is becoming a difficult feat – thankfully, we've still got this reliable gem from Laurence and Remi Dufaitre to count on.
Based in the Brouilly area of Beaujolais, husband-and-wife duo Laurence and Remi began purchasing vines back in 2006. After reviving the land via organic farming—while also monitoring the estate's indigenous yeast population—the pair officially made their first wine in 2010. Upon catching the attention (and heart) of renowned local legend Jean Foillard, the rest was history.
Captivated by the wine, Jean immediately introduced the pair's bottles to all of Paris' best natural wine bars. Today, the Dufaitre wines are some of the most beloved within the natural wine community – including at our shop.
Fruit for this Côte de Brouilly hails from 80-year-old vines rooted in blue granite soils. The juice ferments in concrete tanks and ages for about six months prior to bottling. Although the most powerful of the Dufaitre's lineup, this juicy, well-balanced wine is super easy to drink. Expect flavors of bright cherry, cranberry, and dried herbs laced with prominent acidity and profound mineral-driven undertones.
The wine is drinking beautifully now, though will definitely age well over the next 5-10 years!
Stop by and grab a bottle (or few) for the weekend ahead. We'd love to see you in person.
Nestarec Wine Back in Stock
We've been on the Milan Nestarec train for quite some time now—and as his wines continue to grow in popularity, they're only getting better and better.
This week, we're lucky enough to have gotten a few cases of his very limited-edition Transcendent cuvée back on our shelves, a thirst-quenching rosé that drinks like a light red (and is perfect for popping around mid-October fire pits).
Produced from an organically-farmed blend of Regent, Neuberger, and Riesling, the wine bursts with juicy flavors of fresh forest berries, sea salt, and flowers. The wine's electrifying acidity makes it ideal for enjoying with a variety of fall fare, though you could definitely sip this one solo, too. We recommend decanting it about a half hour before enjoying it to really savor all of its classic Nestarec goodness.
Most interestingly of all is that each bottle of this particular wine is spray-painted by hand. Repurpose it in any way you see fit – water jar, single-flower vase, etc. (we're open to ideas).
Stop by and grab a bottle (or few) for the weekend ahead. We'd love to see you in person.
New Bloomer Creek Drops
Located in the Finger Lakes region of New York, Bloomer Creek is a true pioneer of low-intervention winemaking within the Empire State. Founded by Kim Engle and Debra Bermingham, Bloomer Creek has been eschewing the use of pesticides, as well as using homeopathic composts and minimal intervention in the cellar, far before these practices were fashionable.
At their core, the pair remains fervent stewards of the land; their unbelievably tasty wines are simply the cherry on top. These two orange wines, produced from Gewurztraminer (still) and Riesling (pét-nat) respectively, ferment with wild yeasts and see extended skin contact prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Grippy, aromatic, and perfect with a variety of early fall fare, we can't think of two better bottles to kick off the season.
Stop by and grab a bottle (or one of each) for the weekend ahead. We'd love to see you in person.
Beaujolais for September Sipping
Anne-Sophie is one of the new, forward-thinking winemakers driving the next generation of Beaujolais. Originally from Champagne, she cut her winemaking teeth in Burgundy – however, as we all know, breaking into the Burg scene can be quite pricey, if not impossible, for most. She looked to nearby Beaujolais and the rest was history.
This week, we're excited to share her Les Labourons Fleurie with you. On the palate, the wine shows great depth and spice, marked by fresh, mineral-driven flavors of strawberry, pencil shavings, and a ripe, cherry core laden with notes of pepper. It's more intense and compact in flavor than lighter styles of wine we generally enjoy from the region, though thanks to its bright acid and low tannins, it's still simply a breeze to drink – especially on cooler nights.
Throw in the fridge for 10-20 minutes and enjoy with a slight chill. You won't regret it! Stop by grab a bottle (or few) for the weekend ahead. We'd love to see you in person.
Thibaud Capellaro - Limited Natural Wines from the Rhône
Good news! Labor Day Weekend is upon us, and we received our tiny allocation of Thibaud Capellaro wines in just in time for the long weekend.
Based in the northern Rhône appellation of Condrieu, Thibaud—a first-generation winemaker—has been forging his own path across this renowned viticultural region. After pursuing studies in business, he followed his passion and set out to create a winery. After working alongside some of the region's greats (including André Perret), as well as in Australia, Thibaud returned to his native region, rented a basement winery space, and the rest was history.
Thibaud's project has two sides to it: estate and négoce. This week, we're focusing on his négociant business, called Slope. Here, Thibaud sources fruit from organic farmers across the region and crafts a handful of fun, easy-to-drink cuvées. Fruit comes from all around the Rhône, Ardèche, and the Coteaux du Lyonnais.
This week, we're excited to share his Le Temps d'Une Bise, a natural Marsanne-Viognier blend sourced from organically-farmed vines in Saint-Joseph, as well as Ombre & Lumière, a chillable Grenache/Syrah/Viognier blend perfect for chilling and sipping on cool September nights that hint at the upcoming fall season.
These rather unconventional wines (for the region) are making waves across the natural wine scene and Rhône alike; we've been lucky enough to get our hands on one case of each.
Stop by grab a bottle for yourself this LDW weekend. We'd love to see you in person.
Cheers!
Fun & Fizzy "Koppitsch Rozsa" Rosé Back In Stock!
As much as we hate to see summer go, sending August out with a bang (via copious amounts of seasonally-appropriate wine, of course) is something we most look forward to every year.
This week, we're excited to share that Koppitsch Rozsa is back in stock – for a limited time only, though. Every year, we get a small allocation of these bottles and they fly off our shelves, and it's really no surprise why.
Produced by husband-and-wife duo Alex and Maria Koppitsch, this small-batch, organic/biodynamic rosé is the definition of artisan wine. It's made with low intervention and meticulous attention to detail, but most importantly, it's delicious to drink.
Crafted from a kitchen sink blend of Blaufränkisch, Pinot Noir, St. Laurent, Syrah, and Zweigelt, this steel-vinified, low-ABV (11%) wine jumps with flavors of red currants, crushed stones, and strawberry cream. Think of it like Austrian glou-glou in the best way possible.
Stop by this week and grab a bottle (or few). We'd love to see you in person.
Cheers!