Hoppestill Winter is a new cuvée from 2023 from the Les Carouges {Vergennes} vineyard. 100 % Frontenac Gris, it was aged in clay anfora made from Champlain Valley basin clays. The wine is grown in clay, limestone, and shale.

This is a different expression of Frontenac Gris from all our other wines that we make from this vineyard and this block: Ci Confonde Rosé, Lupo in Bocca, Fleurine. It is the sister wine to Arlette, our sparkling white Frontenac Gris, picked earlier in harvest and usually longer aged, and not made every year because it is difficult to catch just the right moment when the fruit is opalescent rather than copper yet still fruity and ripe enough. Hopestill Winter was also picked earlier in that difficult season of 2023 where we also lost a fair amount of fruit to frost. We were able to catch the bunches when they were shimmering, and decided to see what would happen with anfora aging.

The aging has taken longer to knit together the flavors of bright citrus, salt and the silkiest of textures. But often wines from complicated vintages have quite a bit to say over time. This is a glass that we keep coming back to, chasing the story it tells.

Destemmed, footcrushed, pressed, then aged in the clay. Native yeasts from a vineyard that has been practicing biodynamic since 2013. It's been sleeping quietly in bottle since 2024 and is ready to make her debut.

WE LIKE THIS WINE WITH
Oysters
Salty ham
Deviled eggs or omelets
A salad of orange, capers, red onion, grapes, and lots of parsley
Chorizo or shrimp tacos.

STORING & SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Drinks well now and ages well. Serve chilled but not frigid.