Region: California (Mendocino County / Fox Hill Vineyard), United States
Grapes: Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Souzão (with a dash of Sauvignon Blanc)
Body: Medium
Notes: Wild strawberry, tart pomegranate, blood orange zest, pink grapefruit, dried hibiscus, and subtle crushed slate, with a driving natural acidity, a pleasant structured phenolic grip, and a bone-dry, savory, saline finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, grilled octopus, pork carnitas tacos, roasted white meats, or wood-fired Margherita pizza
The Producer
Ruth Lewandowski Wines is an iconic low-intervention project founded by Evan Lewandowski. Named in honor of his mother Ruth and referencing the biblical theme of death and rebirth (symbolic of organic viticulture), Lewandowski made his mark sourcing organically farmed Italian and Portuguese grape varieties from ancient soils in Mendocino County (primarily Fox Hill Vineyard). Practicing strict zero-zero winemaking, Evan works exclusively with hand-harvested fruit, native ambient yeasts, extended lees contact, no temperature manipulation, no fining, no filtration, and zero added sulfur from harvest to bottle.
The Wine
"Rosé Cuvée Zero" is Evan Lewandowski's deep, savory, and structured take on natural rosé, crafted from an unexpected blend of traditional Portuguese varieties grown at Fox Hill Vineyard. The vinification is dynamic: the Tinta Roriz is whole-cluster direct-pressed, while the Touriga Nacional and Souzão are foot-trod together and left on their skins for roughly two hours before pressing to extract a vivid coral-ruby color and delicate phenolic structure. Co-fermented with wild yeasts and aged for five months on fine lees, the 2023 vintage balances tart red berries and citrus zest with a firm, chalky backbone and a bone-dry, lip-smacking finish.
Region: California (Mendocino County / Fox Hill Vineyard), United States
Grapes: Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Souzão (with a dash of Sauvignon Blanc)
Body: Medium
Notes: Wild strawberry, tart pomegranate, blood orange zest, pink grapefruit, dried hibiscus, and subtle crushed slate, with a driving natural acidity, a pleasant structured phenolic grip, and a bone-dry, savory, saline finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, grilled octopus, pork carnitas tacos, roasted white meats, or wood-fired Margherita pizza
The Producer
Ruth Lewandowski Wines is an iconic low-intervention project founded by Evan Lewandowski. Named in honor of his mother Ruth and referencing the biblical theme of death and rebirth (symbolic of organic viticulture), Lewandowski made his mark sourcing organically farmed Italian and Portuguese grape varieties from ancient soils in Mendocino County (primarily Fox Hill Vineyard). Practicing strict zero-zero winemaking, Evan works exclusively with hand-harvested fruit, native ambient yeasts, extended lees contact, no temperature manipulation, no fining, no filtration, and zero added sulfur from harvest to bottle.
The Wine
"Rosé Cuvée Zero" is Evan Lewandowski's deep, savory, and structured take on natural rosé, crafted from an unexpected blend of traditional Portuguese varieties grown at Fox Hill Vineyard. The vinification is dynamic: the Tinta Roriz is whole-cluster direct-pressed, while the Touriga Nacional and Souzão are foot-trod together and left on their skins for roughly two hours before pressing to extract a vivid coral-ruby color and delicate phenolic structure. Co-fermented with wild yeasts and aged for five months on fine lees, the 2023 vintage balances tart red berries and citrus zest with a firm, chalky backbone and a bone-dry, lip-smacking 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.