Starting November 1st we’ll be launching a fun, tasty, educational, wine buying club that features one ConsciousWinery per month. What’s special about a ConsciousWinery? They follow ConsciousWine’s 4 Principles: 100% organically grown grapes, sustainably (or holistically farmed), creating vital products that rock! All wineries on consciouswine.com have been ‘vetted’ in person to meet these principles. Our focus on the website and in CW’s Winery of the Month Club will be primarily wines & wineries from the West Coast of the United States.

What’s special about CW’s Winery of the Month Club?

Lots! Club Members receive a Winery of the Month 2-bottle pack either monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly. You choose how often you want to receive a pack at time of sign up. You can change this at any time. The pack ranges in price from $50-$70 plus shipping, handling & taxes (where applicable). Shortly after each month’s packs are shipped, Club Members receive an e-mail which includes 3 main features:

1. The date, time and link to attend a Club Member Only Webinar where Jeff Weissler (aka The ConsciousWineGuy) will taste the 2 wines in the pack, introduce the ‘Winery of the Month’, share wine & food pairing ideas, take questions, and probably embarrass himself a little. The webinar will be 30 minutes in length. You can taste along at home or just gather some ideas for when you do enjoy the wines. A separate e-mail will be sent to all Club Members on the details of being part of the on-line event. If you don’t attend the actual event, it will live on YouTube & ConsciousWine’s Facebook Page.

2. A list of all the wines presently available from ConsciousWine’s Winery of the Month. If you choose to place an additional order (12 bottle minimum with mix & match allowed) within the calendar month that the winery is highlighted, you will receive a special 20% discount off the normal retail prices!!!

3. A short introduction to CW’s Winery of the Month, and links to both information on the winery & the wines in the club shipment.

 Additional Club Member Features & Benefits:

1. The Menu & The Wine List Video Series–6 videos created to help you with pairing wine & food while dining out.

2. Discounts on all ConsciousWine Dinner’s, Events & Tours!

3. You’ll be entered in a monthly drawing for a 1 hour consultation with Jeff Weissler (aka The ConsciousWineGuy) on anything wine.

4. If you’re traveling to West Coast Wine Country you can call for a 1 hour consultation (FREE only as a Club Member) to help make your trip rock! Tell us what you like in wine & we’ll tell you where to go. You’ll have a hand tailored itinerary based on ConsciousWine’s commitment to supporting vital choices to both palate & planet. Normal rate for this service is $75/hr.

How do you sign up for CW’s Winery of the Month Club?

The sign-up on the website will be available the end of the 1st week in October.

For now, you can comment on this post, drop us a note at info@consciouswine.com or call 541-531-7653 and we’ll get you hooked up!

Totally excited to be getting this together & looking forward to sharing these amazing wines with you.

Cheerio!

Jeff & The ConsciousWine-ers

In Basic Wine Enjoyment, Jeff's Blog, Tasting Wine, The Shop, Uncategorized, Wineries | Tagged with california, education, oregon, organic, sustainability, the 4 principles

Driving south of McMinnville on Highway 18, you’ll make a right turn before winding a few miles then starting to climb. There’s lots of climbing to do on your way to arriving at the top of the hill where you’ll find The Inn at Youngberg Hill.

After a few exhales taking in the view, I could feel the relaxation take over. Surrounded by vineyards & forest, it’s quite the place. We’re stoked to say it’s the destination for 3 nights for the winners of our Willamette Valley Wine & Food Experience Sweepstakes, May 1-3. The drawing is March 31st, and all you have to do to be entered is sign up on our e-mail list!

Coming through their gate, there were 2 cows to the left. That’s a good sign in ConsciousWine land. Why? Animals on the farm is one of our 12 practices that we look for. It’s also a common practice with biodynamic® farming. I had not heard that Youngberg Hill was doing biodynamic farming practices, but a big surprise was unveiled in the upcoming conversation.

Starting in 2011, Rudy Marchesi of Montinore (a wonderful biodynamic certified property in the Northern Willamette Valley), was brought on to guide the vineyard practices. I’ve filmed a bunch of video with Rudy, and he’s a rock star in his approach, practices and personality!

Youngberg Hill is the most recent addition to the ConsciousWine List. After 2 hours with owner & winemaker Wayne Bailey to learn about their practices, see their vineyard & taste their wines, I knew they were a match with the 4 Principles of ConsciousWine. What are those principles?

Organically grown grapes
Sustainably farmed
Creating vital products
That taste great!

Congrats to Wayne Bailey, his team and Youngberg Hill for making it to the ConsciousWine List. We hope to have their wines available in our Shop before too long & are looking forward to their hosting the Sweepstakes trip!

Rock on’ …

In Jeff's Blog, Wineries | Tagged with events, oregon, organic wine, willamette valley

Sulfites in wine are a long standing tradition. The Romans got the sulfite ball rolling a few thousand years ago. More on that story shows up a bunch of paragraphs down the page. The main purpose of sulfites in wine is to prevent oxidation and bacteria from running wild.

Many people say they have reactions to sulfites. They most often describe these reactions by saying that they get headaches from sulfites. Here’s a video we did in regard to sulfites in wine, with a focus on the headache factor.

Not too long ago, ConsciousWine received an e-mail saying the following: “I am allergic to so many foods I will not list them out, but found I also have a lot of problems with sulfites. I was directed towards organic wines and was told this was a great place to check out.”

I responded to this e-mail by writing the following:

Hi,

My name is Jeff Weissler. I am a partner in ConsciousWine, and The ConsciousWine Guy. Thanks for reaching out to us. I hope we can help.

I want to be clear that I am not a doctor, although I’ve spent some time studying nutrition to go along with 30 years in the fine wine business and researching the different pieces of ConsciousWine since 2005.

Wine is an interesting and can lead to a group of different reactions in people. I believe the main culprits for someone having a reaction with a wine are sulfites, histamines, dehydration, sugar, and the “energetics” of the wine.

Sulfites in wine are used to prevent oxidation and bacteria from running wild. There is a legal maximum of 350 parts per million (ppm) allowed to be added to wine for these purposes.

Many folks believe sulfites cause headaches, although there is no scientific evidence of that. There is evidence of sulfites causing a reaction in asthmatics. It’s most commonly described as a cotton or stuck feeling in the throat. The Harvard Health Letter has had reports on a condition they describe as “Red Wine Syndrome” where research was done on this.

At ConsciousWine, a big part of our purpose is to help folks figure out what is a good choice (a healthy choice), for both them and the planet.

In regard to your specific question this is what I can say:
When an American wine says,“Organic Wine” on the label, it is a guarantee that there have been zero sulfites added during the winemaking process (that includes right before bottling which is when most wineries add a fair amount of sulfites). This sounds sulfite free, but it is not completely. Sulfites are a natural bi-product of fermentation, and there can be 6-8 ppm sulfites in a wine without adding anything. That was the good news of this little tale. The bad news is to make wine without adding sulfites at all, is incredibly difficult (although not impossible) to end up with a consistent quality product. If no sulfites are added, a single extra yeast or microbial anything can lead to a microbial universe (and flavors not so fun). FYI, sulfites (in small amounts) have been added to wine since Roman times (sulfur was in the candles they used to see when cleaning the vats; burning the sulfur created sulfites).

The most common “Organic Wine” you can find at a store (including most health food stores) is from Frey Vineyards in Mendocino County, CA. They represent outstanding farming practices, are made with tremendous love, but I also feel there is a problem with a frequency of inconsistent quality. They are the most popular and available wines in the US with no sulfites added.

In terms of labels, you should know there is another one called, “Made with Organically Grown Grapes” which does allow for sulfites added. This brings me to sharing a little more with you about ConsciousWine. ConsciousWine goes to vineyards and wineries to find those committed to making what we call wines “Vital to Both Palate and Planet.” We find those wineries and then tell their stories on our website, and offer some of those wines for sale through The Shop on ConsciousWine.com.

All wines on our site have been vetted for 4 Principles. They are:

• 100% organically grown grapes
• sustainably farmed
• creating vital, living products
• that taste great (there is a quality finished product is in the bottle!)

Here’s the link where you can click to get further descriptions of any of the Principles: The 4 Principles

The wines on our site have a maximum of 100 ppm sulfites added. Having said that, most of the wines are more in the 20-50 ppm range.

We have one winery on our site that does not add sulfites to some of their wines – AmByth Estate. Philip & Mary Hart are the owners. Their passion for natural grape growing and winemaking runs to their core. Here’s the link to their page on our website: AmByth Estate Featured Winery Page. You can watch a video or two to get a taste of their style. With the exception of several wines, their wines sell for $45 per bottle, so they are not inexpensive. For comparison, Frey starts in the $15 range. But like they say, you get what you pay for.

Wines on our site do contain minimal sulfites added (with the exception of a few Ambyth Wines and I’ve included that link here: http://consciouswine.com/shop/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=1). Having said that, with all ConsciousWines you do get wine made with a gentle touch that keeps the “life force” from a vital soil and environment intact. I don’t know if they would cause a reaction for you or not, but if you can drink wine without having a reaction, these wines should have a high possibility of success for you.

Thank you so much for reaching out to us, and we’re here to make a difference, and help where we can. Feel free to continue the conversation.

Cheers & Best of Health,

Jeff Weissler & ConsciousWine

AmByth Estate (in Templeton, CA near Paso Robles) has been working hard at making wines without any sulfites being added. That is one of their goals, and what I love most is that they won’t force it. They have an understanding of what it takes from start to finish for a well made product to arrive in bottle at your door, and they stick to that commitment. When nature lets them create a no sulfites in wine opportunity, they jump on it, and the results speak for themselves.

ConsciousWine is excited to be offering 4 wines (2 reds, 2 whites) from AmByth Estate with no sulfites added. They’re all made in tiny amounts. 100 cases were made of the Zinfandel, which is more than the total of the other 3 wines combined. Click on the wine name to discover more about the individual wine and to buy some through our Cyber-Shop (3 bottle minimum order). Their natural winemaking style leads to a balance and diversity of flavors, alcohol levels not in the stratosphere, wines that unwind with air & love being paired with food.

’09 Syrah $35
’10 Bailey’s Zin(fandel) $38
’10 Marsanne $45
’10 Grenache Blanc $45

When the addition of sulfites in wine has been eliminated, the first quest is to discover a stable, quality wine. When you come across one, it’s a blessing! When you discover AmByth Estate it’s amazing! Big shout out to Philip & Mary Hart!!

Trying these naturally made American wines is a delicious opportunity for yourself or anyone that loves wine expressing balance, place, purity and specifically wants to avoid sulfites in wine. They’re available in our Shop.

Cheers and Happy 2012!

In Basic Wine Enjoyment, Demystifying Natural Wine, Jeff's Blog, Natural Winemaking, Storytelling, The Shop, Wineries | Tagged with ambyth, biodynamic, sulfites

What exactly are sustainable farming practices? Good question! There’s many certifications based on sustainable farming practices yet do they go far enough?

ConsciousWine has been on the look out for wineries following our 4 Principles (Organic, Sustainable, Vital, Quality), and came up with a list of the 12 most common sustainable farming practices of wineries following our 4 Principles.

We’ll be doing a series of 12 posts to dig a little deeper into each of those practices. As sustainable farming practices go, animals on the farm is my favorite place to start.

During 2009 and 2010, I took a year long Biodynamic Farming Course at the Rudolf Steiner College in Sacramento. With each class, we were given an opportunity to approach the topic from a new perspective. I thought of it like putting on a new pair of glasses to look at the world through, except it was a pair of glasses through which to experience the topic of each individual class.

When it came to the class on animal husbandry (animals on the farm), we were given this pair of metaphorical glasses: “What if, domesticated animals chose to become domesticated? What if, they knew that humanity had lost their way,… and through offering themselves to the farm, they could support the health and well being of the whole. By doing so, humanity’s way of being would return to a balance for the good of all.”

From that perspective, animals on the farm is quite the sustainable farming practice.

I’ve become conscious of (or aware of), that when I’m living in (or visiting), an area that welcomes animals into it (wild and domesticated), something about that just perks me up. It makes me want to be more attentive and conscious, which reminds me of why we named ConsciousWine ConsciousWine.

The idea is to bring awareness to how we taste, and to what’s happening on the farm and in the winery. That’s what our principles, practices and mission are all about. Now back to the sustainable farming practice animals on the farm…

Animals are part of nature. They are part of the balance. When removed, something is missing, and we can feel it. Do you agree? Maybe we even end up losing a very basic connection to nature and natural law.

Over and over I am reminded there’s a vitality when you go outside that all animals and all life are meant to be part of. When this natural system is whole do things just work better? Go for a walk in the woods and see how that feels. Do you know what I’m talking about?

There’s a book called Ishmael by Daniel Quinn that comes to mind as I’m writing this. It speaks a lot to the effects of agriculture onto society and the world.

I’m a believer that a farm with animals just kicks it up a notch.

What types of animals are vineyards including?

-Sheep, cows, pigs, goats, chickens, birds, horses, cats, dogs, bees…

What’s the benefit of having them there?

-From eating weeds, to helping fertilize the soil, to adding their particular personality, to supporting the natural predatory cycle. Animals on the farm bring their special unique vitality, and very importantly support biodiversity.

What are some of the individual benefits of each type of animal, and what’s the name of a few wineries with that type of animal on their farm?

-Sheep: Natural lawn mowers controlling unwanted vegetation (alternative to herbicides and mowing); can be an extra special help in wet years when farmers may not be able to get tractors easily into the vineyard. Wineries with sheep? Benziger (Sonoma, CA), Tres Sabores (Napa, CA).

-Cows: Provide manure for compost; a major piece of a biodynamic approach to farming. Wineries with cows? Ambyth Estate (Paso Robles, CA), Araujo Estate (Napa, CA).

-Goats: Goats can be a problem in that they do like to eat grape leaves and chewing on things, but they also produce whey. Once a goat gives birth, they produce milk. From the milk can come cheese, and in the course of producing curds (from which cheese is made), a large quantity of whey results. Whey is a nutrient rich liquid that when diluted becomes a potent ‘mildew-cide’ (fungicide). Wineries with goats? La Clarine Farm (Sierra Foothills, CA), Belle Pente Winery (Willamette Valley, OR).

-Chickens: Contribute to the overall biodiversity cycle supporting an harmonious interaction of soil, vegetation, insects and the whole. One example was described to me as, “the chickens keep the horses’ paddocks and stables free of ticks and mites as they love to forage for insects and will even overturn stones to find them. By keeping chickens in the vineyards, we are free of vine weevils and mealy bug activity and along with our sheep, they ensure that our vineyards are kept in tiptop shape whilst their nitrogen rich droppings fertilize the soil.” Wineries with chickens? Big Table Farm (Willamette Valley, OR), Dark Horse Ranch/Paul Dolan Wine (Mendocino, CA).

-Birds: A diverse bird population is a sign of a healthy diverse eco-system. Some birds present problems in the vineyard (Robins and Starlings), but a diverse population in the environs is a very good sign. Recently, Southern Oregon’s Cowhorn Vineyards won an award for most “Bird Friendly Vineyard” in a competition created by the Klamath Bird Observatory.

-Bees: There are 2 documentaries that spell it out far better than I could explain. “Vanishing of the Bees” and “Queen of the Sun” are 2 movies that transform perspectives. If the honey bee goes away, so probably do we. Wineries with bee hives? Michel Schlumberger (Dry Creek Valley, CA), Littorai (Russian River Valley, CA).

If your passion for animals runs deep, there’s a non-profit to know about in Southern Oregon’s Applegate Valley. They are a “care farm” where people, animals and the earth work together for mutual healing.  In discovering the wonderful things happening at Sanctuary One at Double Oak Farm, we might start embracing  that sustainable farming practices really do include animals on the farm!

Watch winemaker and co-owner of AmByth Estate, Philip Hart, speak about animals on his farm.

In Biodynamics, Digging Deeper, Jeff's Blog, Sustainable Practices, Wineries | Tagged with biodynamic, natural wine, sustainability

In our ongoing journey to re-frame organic in the wine world, we’re going to play with the term, “Living Wine”.

Wine in general needs to open a while, and we’re talking more than an hour. Imagine wine that gets better for several days once opened, maybe 3, 4, or 5 days. Continue reading “Chew on This” »

In Demystifying Natural Wine, Digging Deeper, Glossary, Natural Winemaking, Wineries | Tagged with sustainability

This short video lays it out! We’ve worked hard at vetting wineries in person and creating a unique platform that makes buying wine a vital choice for both palate and planet. Continue reading “Why Buy Through ConsciousWine?” »

In Jeff's Blog, The Shop, Wineries | Tagged with organic wine, sustainability

What Thanksgiving wine is on your table? What pairs well with the orchestra of foods Thanksgiving offers? Thanksgiving wine is not so much about a particular flavor, but about the wine’s ability to match up lots of flavors. Think of it like a catcher’s mitt. The pitcher throws a variety of pitches and the catcher catches them all. A wine to handle them all is what we call a Thanksgiving wine! Continue reading “Thanksgiving Wines” »

In Jeff's Blog, Tasting Wine, The Shop, Wine & Food, Wineries | Tagged with ambyth, brooks, cowhorn, dominio iv, Food Related, lumos, michel-schlumberger, tasting notes, Thanksgiving

As we engage in thoughts, ideas and conversations about environmental sustainability and social equity, we don’t want to leave out economic sustainability. The financial health and well-being of wineries following our 4 Principles and related practices makes a big difference to us, them, and hopefully to you. Continue reading “Environmental Sustainability, Social Equity and Economic Sustainability” »

In Jeff's Blog, Sustainable Practices, Wineries | Tagged with sustainability

Studying biodynamic® vineyards and practices can be a brain twister but the proof is in the bottle. What they share is an approach to the health of the whole farm and eco-system of which they are a part. Attention to detail, a tight relationship with the assets of the farm, understanding the farm as a closed nutrient system, and working in tune with nature’s rhythms and cycles are pieces to what makes a biodynamic vineyard what it is. Continue reading “Biodynamic Vineyard: Dominio IV’s Three Sleeps” »

In Biodynamics, Jeff's Blog, Storytelling, Tasting Wine, The Shop, Wineries | Tagged with biodynamic, oregon, tasting notes

Scinagro! What’s that? That’s Organics spelled backwards. I got so fed up with the present definition for organic wine that I threw myself into a mission: reframing organic wine as a positive in the fine wine lovers mind. Continue reading “Organic Wine” »

In Demystifying Natural Wine, Jeff's Blog, Storytelling, Sustainable Practices, Tasting Wine, Wineries | Tagged with natural wine, oregon, organic, organic wine, tasting notes, Vitality

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