Summer Wines to Sip On All Season Long

by Alexis Michele Higgins on May 29, 2019 in Food+Drink, Drink,
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This summer, travel around the world from your backyard with a palette of great wines for every palate. From California and Oregon to Argentina, France and beyond, indulge in this season’s most summery sips.

Jon Bon Jovi’s Hampton Water Wine

Who knew JBJ was an oenophile? Jon Bon Jovi and his son have created a hand-picked blend from the finest wine makers in Southern France. As 2018’s best pink, this New York company continues to hold a top 100 spot in the world. With tastes of grenache, cinsault, and mourvedre grapes, it’s an excellent companion to Alfredo pasta and other hearty carbs. Serve this rose chilled while “Livin’ on a prayer!” To buy: Wine On Sale

Jon Bon Jovi and his son Jesse have created Hampton Water Wine Co. Photo Doron Gild

JACK’s Wine, Cabernet & Pinot Noir

We ran a previous article about Dallas-based JACK, owned by former Major League Baseball players Vernon Wells and Chris Iannetta. The wine is produced in Napa with grapes from Vernon Wells’ estate in the Atlas Peak appellation. Their Pinot Noir is aged for 16 months to produce scents of roses and plum. In contrast, the Cabernet Sauvignon delicately pleases the palate with aromas of violets, mocha and black cherry. Likely, you’ll want to go with a pinot noir on a hot summer evening. To buy: JACK

Dallas-based JACK is owned by former Major League Baseball players Vernon Wells and Chris Iannetta.
Courtesy photo

Liberation Wines

Producing a large range of French libations, Liberation Wines has remained a family-owned operation for the last 20 years. The collection Liberation de Paris is a tribute to the United States’ efforts in World War II. This bronze medal winner offers nine different wines from diverse grape families. We recommend this one for 4th of July parties! To buy: SPEC’s

Federalist Wines

Raise a glass in the name of a Founding Father with this wine. (Also appropriate for 4th of July parties!) A mixture of complex, crisp and fruit forward wines offers variety in taste. Combine these bold tastes with your weekly steak and vegetables. To buy: Uncorked

California-based Federalist Vineyards has only one white in its cellar, an oak-laden chardonnay. Courtesy photo

Vida Wines

Kendra Ferraro,  CEO of Vida, is passionate about bringing consumers in the United States high quality, equitable wine. As a new importer, this small-producer released an Argentine portfolio last fall. Cornerstones of the collection include terroir representation and natural winemaking practices. Sip on this while dreaming of travels to Argentina! To buy: Vida Wines

Louis M. Martini Wines

A cornerstone of Napa Valley since 1933, this world-class brand is launching a winery restoration, along with a new collection. Crown Bar, the visually stunning epicenter of the main tasting room will greet you with an airy and open environment while Chef Jeffrey Russell will serve seasonally-driven creations inspired to complement the winery’s collection. Now, we’re ready to book a ticket to Napa! Reserve your place at Louis M Martini

Big Salt from Ovum Wines captures the sea breezes of summer memories. Courtesy photo

Ovum Wines

Husband and wife Ksenija and John House pair up to bring you Big Salt. This white wine captures the beach breeze in a bottle. The aroma leaves a fresh, dry taste well suited for sitting in the sun, or hanging with friends at a backyard cookout. Big Salt is the wine the South could use more of. To buy: Ovum Wines

Illahe, 1899 Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir was made without electricity or fossil fuels! It travels by canoe and cargo bike to bring an authentically aged taste to your palate. Illahe gives you an old-world wine hand de-stemmed, hand pressed, hand corked, and hand delivered to your front door. To buy: Illahe Vineyards

Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Life Pinot Noir

Owner Robert Gross bottles supple smoked blackberries in a pure expression of life. This fresh, watery rim emits a powerful elixir to include cola and a hint of coffee. When we visited Oregon, we realized they are really known for their pinot noirs, and rightly so. To buy: Cooper Mountain Vineyards

Cooper Mountain continues the tradition of excellent Oregon pinot noirs. Courtesy photo

Spoken Barrel

Bold, boastful and blended are three characteristics to describe one of our new faves, Spoken Barrel. With a cabernet sauvignon and Meritage red blend from Washington’s Columbia Valley, this wine is both rugged and refined. Easy to drink and perfect to pair with a creamy pasta dish, this powerful, polished profile is ideal for year-round entertaining. To buy: Spoken Barrel

Grochau Cellars, Joyride

Oregon’s Willamette Valley produces this lovely sparkling rose. The winemaker has perfected a sweet, savory and dry wine with grapes picked early and made like the French varieties. You’ll want to pack Joyride for your road trip this summer! To buy: Grochau Cellars

Montinore Estate

The estate’s Red Cap pinot noir is a true reflection of the Willamette Valley. The 2017 wine is a medium-bodied creation with wafts of raspberry, black cherry, cranberry, plum and a kiss of chocolate. This bright, vivacious silky wine begs to be shared at your backyard gathering. To buy: Montinore Estate

Mullan Road Cellars

This 2015 blend was created with meat in mind (brisket and wine anyone?). Hailing from Walla Walla, Washington, the label received a Gold Medal from San Francisco Chronicle’s Wine Competition in 2016. The perfect complement to tailgate eats. To buy: Mullan Road Cellars


Cover photo bruce mars on Unsplash

Alexis Michele Higgins, a Texas State University alumna from Houston, has a professional background in the music and entertainment. With graduation behind her, Higgins looks forward to the launch of her own company.