August 30, 2023
Weingut Werlitsch
Who are they?
+ Weingut Werlitsch, winemaker Ewald Tscheppe took over his family farm and winery in 2004.
Where are they from?
+ Styria, Austria - The region is covered by steep hills and some places cannot be accessed by tractors or other machines. As a result, he does most of the work in the 19 acres of vineyards by hand.
+The region rests on the same latitude as the Jura and shares some of its soil types like Limestone and Marl, known locally as Opok.What are they making?
+ The Werlitsch winery sits at bottom of the surrounding hills of vineyards with plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, Welshriesling and Morillon, a local variety of Chardonnay.
+ The Ex Vero line, meaning “honest and true,” is divided into 3 categories - the vines at the bottom of the hill go into the Ex Vero I, the vines on the slopes go into the Ex Vero II, and the steepest part, with the most austere soils of the vineyard are reserved for the Ex Vero III.+ He also makes skin contact wines like the Glück (meaning good fortune) which is detemmed before maceration, bottled in clay and fermented on its skins anywhere from a week to a full year.
Why do we like them?
+Ewald was one of the first producers to bring biodynamic techniques to his region and today, creates some of the most compelling white wines in the world.
-Michelle McDermott-
August 25, 2023
Paperback
In 2013, a fortuitous interoffice email sparked the genesis of Paperback Brewery. Strangers Chris and Brandon, united by their shared interests in art, food, music, and craft brewing, embarked on a journey together. From the inception of a small pilot brewery known as "The Lab" in Brandon's garage, they spared no expense in equipping it with top-notch tools, including a ½ BBL brewing system and microscopes for precision yeast cell counting. Despite legal constraints on selling their creations, "The Lab" became a haven for refining diverse beer recipes.
Over the years their commitment to the craft has never wavered. Countless hours of trials, experimentation and extremely hard work landed them in a place where there was only one thing left to do. Chris and Brandon had crystalized their vision. Their passion and expertise now well combined to bring us Paperback Brewing Co.
Each beer is wrapped in what looks like the cover of a steamy romance novel or your favorite childhood adventure tale. But don’t be fooled by this playful branding, the beer inside these eye-catching cans is seriously good.
Needless to say we are big fans of their ales and have been for some time now. You can usually find at least two of their releases in our beer fridge. Although right now we have 6! AND two on draft at the bar. We love them so much that they will also be featured in this September's Beer Club. So if haven’t tried Paperback, now is the time! Come pay us a visit and stay for a pint or follow the link and let us bring it to you with Stanleys Home Delivery.
-Charlotte-
August 17, 2023
Presqu’ile Winery
Presqu’ile (‘press-keel’) began in the early 2000s, when Madison and Suzanne Murphy and their children, Matt, Jonathan, and Anna, had a goal to start a winery with a focus on Burgundian-style wines in the U.S. In 2007, they undertook extensive research to find the best land suited to growing Pinot Noir, which ultimately landed in the Santa Maria Valley, where they acquired 200 acres of land to establish what is now Presqu’ile Winery.
The French/Creole translation of their winery name means “peninsula”, or translated literally, “almost an Island,” and was the name of a beloved family gathering place on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall, destroying their home and ending an era. They named their winery in honor of that place and a way of life.
Presqu’ile’s founding winemaker, Dieter Cronje’s love for wine traces back to his winemaking family in South Africa. While sipping on a 1997 Domaine Clos de la Roche, he realized he wanted to spend the rest of his life making Pinot Noir and so he travelled around the world continuing his winemaking and agriculture education, earning a degree in enology and cellar technology.
Part of his journey led him to the Santa Maria Valley where he continues to perfect his Pinot Noir’s along with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Deiter and the Murphy’s meticulously planned the design of the Presqu’ile Vineyard with an emphasis on diversity; mapping out the site's deep sandy soils, distinct airflows, patterns of sunlight, hillside angles and elevations.
The family is committed to farming naturally and conserving resources. Their estate vineyard is Sustainability in Practice (SIP) certified. Unlike organic certification, which looks exclusively at chemical usage, SIP also audits social responsibility, carbon footprint, water conservation, energy efficiency and clean water.
Each wine produced at Presqu'ile is a direct reflection of a specific vineyard site's variety, vintage, and unique climate conditions. All wines are vinified with a minimalist mentality in the cellar, with the pursuit of terroir-reflection, purity, and delicious drinkability placed first.
-Michelle-
August 02, 2023
MOMMENPOP
One summer, Mommenpop founder Samantha Sheehan embarked on a quest to create the perfect summer beverage – something that would be citrusy, colorful, and best served chilled. However, she wanted to steer away from the usual fuss of cocktails and overly sweet spritzes. Drawing inspiration from her expertise in winemaking, Samantha combined locally-grown Seville Oranges with her own Chardonnay to create something that would not only tantalize the taste buds but also deliver a whole new drinking experience for her family and friends. The result of her creativity was something beyond wine – more playful and vibrant. Thus, Mommenpop was born!
Mommenpop captures the essence of California in every bottle. Each batch starts with a base wine made from organic Northern California grapes, setting the stage for a delicious and refreshing drink. To add depth and character, they fortify the wine with Napa-made grape neutral spirit and infuse it with the flavors of whole, organic California citrus. To ensure an authentic and pure taste, only select botanicals and organic, whole ingredients are used.
Mommenpop refrains from using dried peels, powders, essences, dyes, or flavorings. Their aperitifs contain no added sugar or sulfur, making it a healthier way to enjoy a delightful summer beverage. And they are always gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan!
Beyond just the taste and ingredients, Mommenpop represents a passionate female-led venture, produced in the renowned Napa Valley in California. The combination of innovation, natural ingredients, and ethical production practices makes Mommenpop not just a drink, but a story that people can connect with.
So, this summer, let Mommenpop’s versatile, fruity aperitifs transport you to paradise. Cheers to Mommenpop – the wine bursting with thousands of pounds of organic California citrus!
-Charlotte-
July 27, 2023
"The Sun Also Rises” - Stanley’s Cocktail Kit 2023
As some of you may be aware, we recently and somewhat reluctantly said goodbye to our Cocktail Club subscription program. It has made way for some new and exciting projects, but we understand that there is still a need for cute curated cocktail kits, so here we are, with a new and more flexible option for you home mixologists and entertainers. Each season we will be putting together a weather appropriate ensemble for you to purchase online or in store.
This season we have put together a delightful little spin on the traditional Hemingway Daiquiri. “The Sun Also Rises” is a nod to this tried and true classic with some fresh new ingredients. The star of the show is one of our favorite new spirits, San Zanj White Rum. This is a deliciously clean and grassy Haitian rum that hits all the right notes.
Best supporting role goes to a beautiful amaro driven botanical liqueur from our talented friends up in Oregon, Accompani. They make some incredible liqueurs and amaros whose ingredients read like an herbalists' apothecary. If you’re not familiar with these folks then I recommend you make yourselves acquainted or better yet, let one of the Stanley’s team help you out. We would love to introduce you.
Next up we have a perfectly versatile Ginger Simple Syrup from Raft. This is great little card to have up you sleeve for all sorts of cocktails and mocktails. Bright and fresh with just the right amount of ginger heat.
And last but not least, Fee Brothers Orange Blossom Water. This adds an etherial prettiness that is subtle but essential. Now all you’ll need to complete the scene is some freshly squeezed lime juice and some ice. So what are you waiting for? Grab a Summer Cocktail Kit and get the party started!
-Charlotte-