Region: Finger Lakes, New York, USA (Seneca Lake AVA)
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Mixed dark berries, marinated red peppers, tilled earth, subtle green olives, savory herbs, with racy acidity and an energetic, crunchy finish
Pairing: Sunday pot roast, grilled pork chops with apple mostarda, roasted autumn squash, or a mature cheese and charcuterie board
Barbichette is a highly dynamic, small-scale natural wine project bringing a fresh, low-intervention perspective to New York's Finger Lakes region. Founded by partner vignerons Louisiane Remy and César Vega, this boutique négociant operation challenges the historically conservative winemaking templates of the area. Sourcing fruit from pristine, responsibly managed vineyards along the steep glacial slopes of Seneca Lake, Barbichette focuses intently on capturing raw terroir rather than varietal conformity. Their cellar methodology follows absolute "zero-zero" principles: relying exclusively on spontaneous fermentations with native, autochthonous yeasts, bypassing mechanical filtration and industrial fining, and bottling entirely without added sulfur dioxide to deliver pure, vibrant, and incredibly honest cool-climate expressions.
The 2024 "Cache Cache" (French for "hide and seek") completely reimagines standard expectations of New York red wine, turning a heavy grape into a remarkably bright, high-energy glou-glou style. Crafted from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon rooted in well-draining glacial silt loam soils with prime eastern exposure, the hand-harvested fruit is handled with minimalist care. The whole grape clusters are gently foot-stomped and crushed directly into open-top fermenters, undergoing a 20-day native maceration to extract aromatics and color without pulling aggressive, overpowering seed tannins. The juice is then pressed into a large, 18hL neutral old oak foudre for the remainder of its active fermentation and a gentle 12 months of élevage (aging) before being bottled in the fall of 2024. The resulting highly scannable vintage is nimble, light on its feet, and beautifully unmapped; it masterfully balances crunchy black forest fruits with a savory, high-toned acid backbone and a texturized, mineral-driven finish.
Region: Finger Lakes, New York, USA (Seneca Lake AVA)
Grapes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Mixed dark berries, marinated red peppers, tilled earth, subtle green olives, savory herbs, with racy acidity and an energetic, crunchy finish
Pairing: Sunday pot roast, grilled pork chops with apple mostarda, roasted autumn squash, or a mature cheese and charcuterie board
Barbichette is a highly dynamic, small-scale natural wine project bringing a fresh, low-intervention perspective to New York's Finger Lakes region. Founded by partner vignerons Louisiane Remy and César Vega, this boutique négociant operation challenges the historically conservative winemaking templates of the area. Sourcing fruit from pristine, responsibly managed vineyards along the steep glacial slopes of Seneca Lake, Barbichette focuses intently on capturing raw terroir rather than varietal conformity. Their cellar methodology follows absolute "zero-zero" principles: relying exclusively on spontaneous fermentations with native, autochthonous yeasts, bypassing mechanical filtration and industrial fining, and bottling entirely without added sulfur dioxide to deliver pure, vibrant, and incredibly honest cool-climate expressions.
The 2024 "Cache Cache" (French for "hide and seek") completely reimagines standard expectations of New York red wine, turning a heavy grape into a remarkably bright, high-energy glou-glou style. Crafted from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon rooted in well-draining glacial silt loam soils with prime eastern exposure, the hand-harvested fruit is handled with minimalist care. The whole grape clusters are gently foot-stomped and crushed directly into open-top fermenters, undergoing a 20-day native maceration to extract aromatics and color without pulling aggressive, overpowering seed tannins. The juice is then pressed into a large, 18hL neutral old oak foudre for the remainder of its active fermentation and a gentle 12 months of élevage (aging) before being bottled in the fall of 2024. The resulting highly scannable vintage is nimble, light on its feet, and beautifully unmapped; it masterfully balances crunchy black forest fruits with a savory, high-toned acid backbone and a texturized, mineral-driven finish.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.