Big Table Farm Wirtz Garden Edelzwicker 2013 (Willamette Valley, Oregon)

“Big Table Farm” (BTF) refers to the 70 acres of very real farm that surrounds the winery. While currently establishing their vineyards - the duo behind BTF, Brian Marcy and Clare Carver, are actively and organically farming; producing heritage beef, pork and chicken. After respective careers in California in winemaking and fine arts the pair moved to Oregon in the late 90s and began a journey that really synthesizes their career choices and their philosophies. By 2006, they cleared slopes for grape vine propagation and started planting.  We all look forward to wines made from their own fruit, but for now the very natural non-commercial and wild ferment (i.e. no cultivated yeasts) wine making choices are giving us fresh and alive wines that are truly special with, an elegance and contrasting rusticity that’s delicious.

This month’s wine is their Wirtz Garden “edelzwicker” - a blend of riesling, pinot gris, gewurztraminer and more. The grapes for this wine all come from the Wirtz Vineyard and the resultant wine is an American analog to the Marcel Deiss Engelgarten that graced the boxes in April.  The wine has a clear yellow color, with an aromatic, fruity and harmonious nose. The palate is supple and well-balanced and is a great accompaniment to summer fare - salads and charcuterie really let it shine.