Region: Humboldt County, California, USA (Elk Prairie Vineyard)
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Brambly red and black berries with a rustic, wild edge, native-yeast funk, and a lean, savory finish
Pairing: Grilled salmon, roast chicken, mushroom dishes, or lightly chilled with charcuterie
The Producer
Deux Punx was founded in 2008 by Dan Schaaf and Aaron Olson, two self-described "aging punkers" who came to wine from skateboarding and hardcore drumming rather than a classical cellar path. Working out of the shared Punk Dog Wineries space in Napa's River East neighborhood, the pair sources fruit from growers they've built relationships with across Northern California, including the brambly, native-rootstock Pinot Noir of Elk Prairie Vineyard high above the Eel River in Humboldt County.
The Wine
Deux Punx's Pinot Noir leans into the wild, untamed side of Elk Prairie's fruit rather than smoothing it into something polished. Organically farmed grapes undergo spontaneous native-yeast fermentation and age in neutral oak at ambient cellar temperature before bottling unfined, unfiltered, and with minimal sulfites. The 2024 comes across brambly and direct, with dark berry fruit shot through by a rustic, slightly funky edge.
Region: Humboldt County, California, USA (Elk Prairie Vineyard)
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
Body: Light to Medium
Notes: Brambly red and black berries with a rustic, wild edge, native-yeast funk, and a lean, savory finish
Pairing: Grilled salmon, roast chicken, mushroom dishes, or lightly chilled with charcuterie
The Producer
Deux Punx was founded in 2008 by Dan Schaaf and Aaron Olson, two self-described "aging punkers" who came to wine from skateboarding and hardcore drumming rather than a classical cellar path. Working out of the shared Punk Dog Wineries space in Napa's River East neighborhood, the pair sources fruit from growers they've built relationships with across Northern California, including the brambly, native-rootstock Pinot Noir of Elk Prairie Vineyard high above the Eel River in Humboldt County.
The Wine
Deux Punx's Pinot Noir leans into the wild, untamed side of Elk Prairie's fruit rather than smoothing it into something polished. Organically farmed grapes undergo spontaneous native-yeast fermentation and age in neutral oak at ambient cellar temperature before bottling unfined, unfiltered, and with minimal sulfites. The 2024 comes across brambly and direct, with dark berry fruit shot through by a rustic, slightly funky edge.
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.