May 23: Wines for the Long Weekend

Memorial Day weekend has a way of moving everything outside, even if spring has been slow to cooperate. It’s the weekend for gathering with family and friends, opening the pool, firing up the grill, and hoping the weather finally gets the memo. This Saturday’s lineup is built for exactly that kind of weekend, with wines that feel fresh, festive, and easy to share, from a lively Armenian pet-nat and a textured Spanish white to classic Provençal rosé and a grill-ready California Syrah. Whether you’re serving vegetables, seafood, cheese, chicken, burgers, or barbecue, there’s something here for the table.

2024 Tushpa X Lab Pet Nat:$25

A lively, gently sparkling Armenian wine made from the rare native Lalvari grape. Fresh, bright, and lightly fizzy, with citrus, green apple, herbs, and a little texture from its natural pet-nat style. Fun for a holiday toast, salty snacks, cheese, grilled shrimp, or fried chicken.

A generous Santa Ynez Syrah from Andrew Murray, one of Santa Barbara’s longtime champions of Rhône-style wines. Full of blackberry and dark cherry, with notes of black pepper, herbs, and black olive, it has plenty of flavor without feeling heavy. Made for burgers, barbecue chicken, ribs, sausages, grilled lamb, or mushrooms.

A distinctive Spanish white from Finca Torremilanos, a biodynamic estate in Ribera del Duero better known for reds. Fresh and textured, with pear, lemon, white flowers, almond, chamomile, and a quiet savory edge from barrel fermentation. Great with grilled seafood, roast chicken, Manchego, Marcona almonds, or anchovy toasts.

2024 Penalba Lopez White:$26

2024 Domaine de Paris Rosé:$18

A dry, pale Provençal rosé made in a fresh, aromatic style, with cool fermentation in stainless steel to preserve its delicate fruit. Light, crisp, and easygoing, with wild strawberry, raspberry, citrus, and a clean finish. Perfect with salads, grilled fish, charcuterie, white meats, or summer vegetables.

2022 Andrew Murray Tous les Jours: $20

Free Saturday Wine Tastings 12-5 PM

May 16: Springtime in Italy

Spring has fully arrived in Italy, and this week, it looks like it may finally be starting here too. We’re leaning into the moment with a lineup of fresh, vibrant Italian wines that feel just right for warmer days, longer evenings, and food that gets a little lighter.

This tasting travels from the hills of Veneto to two very different corners of Tuscany, then on to Le Marche, with four wines that show just how varied Italian wine can be. There’s a bright, mineral white from the Valle d’Agno, a pale Tuscan rosé with a Provençal wink, a fresh and floral Rosso di Montepulciano, and a juicy Rosso Piceno from the hills between the Adriatic and the Apennines.

In other words, Italy in spring: lively, colorful, food-friendly, and ready for the table. Come taste with us.

2023 Masari AgnoBianco: $16

A bright, mineral Veneto white made from Riesling and Durella, with citrus, white flowers, herbs, and a creamy-crisp texture from lees aging. Fresh, fragrant, and great with oysters, grilled shrimp, goat cheese, or spring vegetables.

A juicy Rosso Piceno from Le Marche, blending Montepulciano, Sangiovese, and a little Merlot. Red currant, wild strawberry, licorice, and a spicy finish make it an easy table red for pasta, grilled sausages, roasted chicken, or aged cheese.

A pale Tuscan rosé inspired by Provence, made from Sangiovese and Prugnolo Gentile. It’s crisp and polished, with wild raspberry, strawberry, citrus, white peach, and a clean mineral snap, perfect for antipasti, grilled shrimp, or anything salty and summery.

2025 Il Rosé di Casanova della Spinetta: $22

2024 Poderi Boscarelli “Prugnolo” Rosso di Montepulciano: $29

A fresh, ruby-red Tuscan wine made from Prugnolo Gentile and Mammolo, with cherry, plum, violet, and a little savory spice. No oak here, so the fruit stays bright, perfect for pizza, tomato pasta, salumi, or pecorino.

2021 Failoni Rosso Piceno: $25

May 9: Wine and Roses for Mother's Day

Mother’s Day has a way of calling for something a little more thoughtful, but that doesn’t mean it has to be overdone. This week’s lineup is built for exactly that: beautiful, food-friendly wines that feel special without making a fuss;

There are pink bubbles for the first toast, a bright Austrian Grüner for appetizers and spring dishes, a fresh Lake Garda red that plays beautifully with lighter fare, and a classic Southern Rhône red for the main course. Whether you’re cooking for Mom, bringing a bottle to the table, or taking her out and opening something good later, there is a bottle here worth sharing. Pick up the flowers. We’ve got the wine!

Dibon Cava Brut Rosé: $16

A pretty pink Cava made from 100% Garnacha, with fresh raspberry, blackcurrant, and fine, lively bubbles. It’s dry, festive, and easy to love, perfect for appetizers, brunch, or the first toast.

2023 Cantrina Riviera del Garda Classico Groppello: $23

2024 Kermit Lynch Côtes du Rhône Villages: $20

2023 Christina Grüner Veltliner: $21



A juicy Southern Rhône red with red and purple fruit, wild herbs, lavender, and peppery spice. Fresh enough for casual dinners, with enough weight for lamb, burgers, sausages, or anything off the grill.

This organic Austrian Grüner is bright, fresh, and full of personality, with crisp apple, green fruit, white pepper, and lively acidity. It’s a natural fit for spring vegetables, seafood, salads, fried chicken, or schnitzel.

A light, fresh red from Lake Garda with cherry, raspberry, wild berries, and a gentle touch of spice. Serve slightly chilled with charcuterie, salmon, roast chicken, pasta, or lighter spring dishes.