We have been on quite the rollercoaster here in 2023, which is to say we have been feeling slightly out-of-control excited with everything coming at us so quickly. There is a ton to share, so we are going to dive right in!
SOLD OUT WINES
When we started making these wines nearly 6 years ago, selling them was NEVER really part of the conversation. And even though we realized 3 years ago that we probably should sell them, we didn’t start that process until March 2022. And even then, we did not begin selling our wines to most retailers or restaurants until last October. So you could say we took it slow, but those of you who love our wines were quick to show us love. We have now SOLD OUT of the following wines:
- 2020 SOREN Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2020 SOREN Cuvée
- 2021 VOLTA Cuvée
- 2022 FESTA Rosso
Thank you all so much for purchasing and enjoying these special bottles along with us. We feel so lucky to make these wines for others with the people we love most.
PEOPLE SAYING NICE THINGS ABOUT PUPPIONE FAMILY WINES
In the last month or so, we have been lucky to have lots of light shined on us by some wonderful people in our industry. Their kind words and support have been overwhelming and greatly appreciated. Check it out:
“Unless you live in Northern California, chances are you’ve never seen or heard of Puppione Family Wines. In fact, even if you do live in Northern California, these wines are as rare as they come. Chris Puppione is a true “garagiste” based in Forestville, in Sonoma County. He made his first few barrels of wine in 2017, to celebrate the birth of his daughter, and Puppione Family Wines has grown—albeit modestly—from there. Yet while these wines are produced on a “garage” scale, they’ve got all the polish and pedigree one could ask for, not to mention some glowing critical reviews. FESTA [Rosso] is a multi-regional blend of both red and white varieties, crafted in a bright, chillable, “crushable” style. It’s a Californian red reimagined as an Italian-style Sunday Dinner quaffer, and it succeeds on every level.” – SommSelect.com
“Low-alcohol, high-acid, chillable refreshment: All the component varieties have a voice in this translucent, ruby-hued red, with the Syrah leading the way: Notes of black raspberry, cranberry, black pepper, and violet share the stage with some Cabernet cassis and Friulano florals. The wine is light-bodied, tangy, and delivers lots of mouth-watering minerality. Designed as an easy-drinking red for pizza, baked pastas, or burgers off the grill.” – SommSelect.com on our 2022 FESTA Rosso
“Sonder is defined as that moment when you realize that everyone around you has an internal life as rich and as conflicted as yours. I didn’t know there was a word for this, but I am so glad Chris taught it to me. Chris is all about sonder. He is a consummate observer, curious and open. Chris makes wine as an homage to his family. What started as an ode to the births of his children has blossomed into an homage to his Italian family heritage. Friulano makes you feel like the Italian wind is whipping your face as you wander a field of giant sunflowers. Syrah that is both rustic and refined, meaty and spicy and juicy. And a Cabernet Syrah Cuvée that is all cherries and mocha deliciousness. These wines are part of a story. They are not demanding, they lift up everything around them and make the whole story more complete, complex, and divine.” – Ownroot Collective
“These wines are like the promise of sunshine, the whisper of a warm breeze. They feel like old world wind and not quite summer. Friulano is a classic Italian white, native to the northwestern part of Italy and is marked by minerality, white grapefruit and stone fruit. Delicious with seafood and sunflowers. The Puppione Syrah is old world with cured meats, cranberry, and citrus with the bright tones that make it distinctly California. The Cuvée is a blend I would not think I would like on paper, but in tasting I was totally sold. An homage to a cult wine of the same blend, this wine is like a that perfect balance of leather and roses. Chris is a newcomer to the winemaking scene, but this is a brand I promise you will hear more of.” – Terra Jane Albee, Ownroot Collective
“Named after the turning point in Italian poetry, Volta seduces with 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre whole-cluster, native yeast fermentation. It’s unbridled with lots of personality. Both fresh and dried fruit swirl on the nose—baskets of cherries and plums with a touch of garrigue. On the palate—cherry, juicy plum, rhubarb, dried sage, and pipe tobacco. The tannins are approachable so it can be enjoyed now but will also age gracefully.” – Kerry Kirkham, K&L Wine Merchants on our 2021 VOLTA Cuvée
“This chillable red is a smile in a glass. Made of 45% Syrah, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Friulano. On both the nose and palate comes a jasmine whisper from the Fruilano, followed by fresh red cherries, black plum, pomegranate, and violet. Vivacious acidity with food-friendly tannins. I can see Festa Rosso being an invigorating reward at day’s end. The ideal pairing would be with friends, music, great conversations, and yummy snacks—or in a comfy chair with a good book and a purring cat in your lap. Don’t forget to give this wine a light chill—it’ll really shine at a lower temperature.” – Kerry Kirkham, K&L Wine Merchants on our 2022 FESTA Rosso
“Artfully composed of 100% organically farmed, whole-cluster pressed Friulano that underwent native yeast fermentation and aged in stainless steel and neutral French oak. It rings clear as a bell both on the nose and palate. Brisk aromas of white blossoms, bright citrus, fresh ripe pear, and tangerine zest. The palate is dry, with subtle jasmine florals, crisp pear, bright tangerine, and a wisp of bitter almond on the finish. Winemaker Chris Puppione refers to it as a casual white blend, which is a humble under-promise as it provides a colossally generous and complex delivery.” – Kerry Kirkham, K&L Wine Merchants on our 2022 FESTA Bianco
Wow. And thank you.
NOW FOR GREAT NEWS OVERKILL
In case you have not noticed these on the interwebs, we offer them here for your edification and enjoyment.
- Puppione Family Wines are now available in Arizona! We were thrilled to be asked to join the portfolio of hot new distributor Hereafter Wines. To have our bottles featured alongside industry heroes like Drew Wines and friends Belong Wine Co. and Joseph-Jabril feels incredible. And to know that our bottles are in Arizona’s best restaurants, wine bars, and bottle shops is incredibly gratifying.
- New Interview Alert! Chris was recently interviewed by Kerry Kirkham of K&L Wine Merchants before an in-store tasting featuring our wines. It is one of our favorite segments so far, with Kerry posing wonderfully thoughtful questions and tasting through five of our wines—including our two newest wines which will be released in August—the 2021 INTERO Syrah and 2021 MAGARI Cuvée. Watch and hear some fun stories, gain new insights on our wines, and learn why you need to mark August 8th on your calendar for the release of these new two award-winning wines.
PUPPIONE FAMILY WINES IN THE WILD
We have a crazy amount of events and important dates coming up, and we wanted to share the excitment with you–and maybe even see you out there?
Friday, May 19 – Weekly Wine Focus Tasting
Calistoga Wine Stop – Calistoga, CA – 4:00-6:00pm | Shop info [here].
Saturday, May 20 – Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Grand Tasting Experience
Healdsburg Plaza – Healdsburg, CA – 12:30-4:30pm | Event and ticket info [here].
Saturday, June 17 – Garagiste Festival: Urban Exposure Los Angeles
Glendale Civic Auditorium – Glendale, CA – 1:00-5:00pm | Event and ticket info [here].
Friday, June 23 – Featured Winemaker Tasting
AutoCamp Russian River – Guerneville, CA – 5:00-7:00pm | Location info [here].
Wednesday, July 19 – Bottling Day: 2022 INTERO, 2022 MAGARI, 2022 STRETTA DI MANO
Moshin Vineyards – Healdsburg, CA – 1:00-5:00pm | Wanna help? Email us!!!
Saturday, July 22 – Featured Winemaker Tasting
AutoCamp Russian River – Guerneville, CA – 5:00-7:00pm | Location info [here].
Tuesday, August 8 – Fall 2023 Release Day: 2021 INTERO & 2021 MAGARI
Release opens at 8:00am | See great reviews on these wines [here].
Is that all? Whew…
C’ENT ANNI!
Chris, Dee, Ariya & Soren