{"title":"SUMMER 2026","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnother summer of big changes. Graduations continued with Boyd’s middle child receiving a degree in architecture and joining a firm, Eric’s youngest headed to college and his oldest is starting a cherry new fashion job and it is local! Plus, Eric now joins Boyd as a freebirder. And America turns 250. All this is to say that we, like  many of you, are likely experiencing some excellent reasons to celebrate as well and do we ever have some wines for you to do just that!  We’re making returns to Croatia, Greece and Uruguay and heading high up into the mountains of Italy and Germany for crisp, cool varietals. Even some of the reds deserve a bit of a chill. It all adds up to the selected wines pairing perfectly with whatever you are cooking or eating on the back patio with those you hold dear as you celebrate new beginnings or just a great day.   \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"weingut-niklas-2024-fuxs-schiava-schiava-suditrol-alto-adige","title":"Weingut Niklas -- 2024 'Fuxs' Schiava -- Schiava -- Suditrol, Alto Adige","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the farthest northern vineyards in Italy, Alto Adige\/Sudtirol, a region that was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War I and where German is still the dominant language, we have a red grape thought to be indigenous to the region but which has at the very least been provably grown in the region since the 13th Century. As is the case with many Italian regions and grapes, the reputation of the naturally productive Schiava (AKA Vernatsch or Trollinger) grape began to suffer in the post war era when industrial farming and lax rules governing yields produced excessively light and characterless wines, but the grape’s reputation has been revived by the current generation’s focus on quality and pride in their indigenous grapes. In the village of Niklas the husband and wife team of Dieter and Eva Sölva, with the assistance of their three sons, sustainably farm old vines grown using the traditional pergola method in mixed clay and calcareous pebble soils. The wine is vinified and aged in stainless steel tanks, to give a classic representation of Schiava with roses, raspberries, exotic spice and a citrus-tinged acidity. The moderate tannins suit this wine to charcuterie, pizza, pasta and white meats. Enjoy this at cellar temperature or even well below.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kompas Wine Club","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43242089218125,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/4515\/0797\/files\/Niklas_Schiava.png?v=1783977898"},{"product_id":"bodega-cerro-chapeu-2024-castel-pujol-folklore-tinto-tannat-petite-mansang-80-20-rivera-uruguay","title":"Bodega Cerro Chapeu -- 2024 Castel Pujol Folklore Tinto -- Tannat, Petite Mansang (80\/20) -- Rivera, Uruguay","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginally from southwest France, Tannat, as the name implies, makes intensely tannic and age-demanding wine in its Madiran homeland. In the new world, similar to the story of Malbec, Tannat has taken on a new life in Uruguay due to its more approachable structure and more emphatic fruit flavors when grown here. The Rivera region in northern Uruguay close to the Brazilian border, features iron rich, red sandy soils and distinctive flat-top, dome-shaped hills that dot the landscape and give the winery its name. With a latitude of 31 degrees, the climate is quite warm in the summer, but this heat is mitigated by the 350 meter elevation. The founder of Bodega Cerro Chapeu, Juan Francisco “Quico” Carrau Pujol, was the eighth generation of his family to make wine when he founded the winery in 1975 and now his son and grandchildren make the ninth and tenth. The Folklore Tinto is a unique blend of sustainably farmed Tannat fermented with the skins of Petit Manseng, a white grape that also comes from southwest France, where its high acidity, loose clusters and thick skins make it well suited to making desert wines such as Jurançon. The fermenting must is drained off the skin, not pressed, after just 6 days, thus mitigating Tannat's notorious tannins, while the Petit Manseng gives extra acidity and, counter-intuitively, a darker color. The wine ages for just 3 months in second use barrels to retain the fruit. Aromas of dark fruits, violets, cedar and smoke with flavors of black currants, black cherries and black berries on ample, chalky tannins. Aged cheeses, grilled meats and tomato pastas will sing with this wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kompas Wine Club","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43242089447501,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/4515\/0797\/files\/Bodega_Cerro_Chapeu.png?v=1783977898"},{"product_id":"clos-figueras-2023-serres-del-priorat-tinto-grenache-carignane-syrah-cabernet-sauvignon-priorat-spain","title":"Clos Figueras -- 2023 'Serres del Priorat' Tinto -- Grenache, Carignane, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon -- Priorat, Spain","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePriorat, making its first appearance in Kompas Wine Club, has a fascinating and roller coaster history. The steep hills of llicorella (yicko-RAY-uh) slate and quartz soils southwest of Barcelona were first planted and terraced by the Romans and further developed by the Carthusian Monks of Burgundy fame (Priorat is Catalan for priory) in the 12th Century. Phylloxera wiped out the vineyards in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries and the high cost of replanting and farming in the naturally low-yielding llicorella soils, along with labor migration to urban centers and centralized viticultural policies under Franco, meant the area languished until Spain’s political rebirth in the late 70s and 80s. By the late 90s, wines produced by the pioneering new wineries using the oldest vines of Garnacha (Grenache) and Cariñena (Carignane) as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot had won Priorat critical acclaim and stratospheric pricing. Indeed, Priorat is the only region besides Rioja to have DOCa status (called DOQ in Catalonia) and commands among the highest prices in Spanish wine. The alcoholic and oaky style of wine that was championed by many critics in the late 90s and 2000s created a backlash in the 2010s, however, and while the style of the average Priorat has changed dramatically towards fresher and less oaky wines, the inherently low-yielding yet labor-intensive vineyards meant that prices could only come down so far. That kept the large majority of Priorat wines above even the baller category for Kompas Club and those that were priced for the baller category were, alas, uninspiring. Enter Clos Figueras (pronounce those esses in Catalan). Founded in 1997 by wine exporter Christopher Cannan with vineyards that had been abandoned eight years earlier with the help of Rene Barbier of Clos Mogador, one of the pioneers of Priorat, he has since been joined by his daughter Anne, who assumed lead winemaking duty in 2014. The Serras del Priorat bottling comes from the certified organically farmed vines planted in 2000 that are aged in second use French oak puncheons (500L). Fresh red cherries, cranberries, and plum with a touch of dried herbs and graphite with elegant, velvety tannins. Can accompany ultra fresh white fish to pork, especially with a mushroom sauce.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kompas Wine Club","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43242090004557,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/4515\/0797\/files\/serras_del_priorat.png?v=1783977898"},{"product_id":"henri-bourgeois-2022-sancerre-rouge-pinot-noir-loire-france","title":"Henri Bourgeois -- 2022 Sancerre Rouge -- Pinot Noir -- Loire, France","description":"\u003cp\u003eSancerre Blanc is ubiquitous these days, and deservedly so, but did you know that the region also produces red wines of Pinot Noir, around 10% of the total acreage, and that prior to the phylloxera epidemic, the larger majority of wines from Sancerre were Pinot Noir? We will not suggest that Sancerre Rouge rivals Burgundy in quality of Pinot Noir overall, but those pre-phylloxera Sancerre Rouge wines were being produced because people enjoyed them, and were it not for the runaway success that Sancerre Blanc became over the last 70 years, who knows what percentage of Pinot Noir would be planted here today? Plus, with climate change diminishing the quality of wine in Burgundy, while the reverse is true in Sancerre, it makes Sancerre Rouge worth seeking out. Not just any Sancerre Rouge will do, however. The Kimmeridgian limestone soils in the far west of Sancerre, which is where Henri Bourgeois is located, are the most prized and are very similar to the soils in Chablis such as the Maison de la Chapelle Irancy rouge we had a few years back. Experience making Pinot Noir, such as is imparted by 11 generations of winemaking wine in the same region, are helpful, as well. The certified organically farmed grapes are lightly oaked in a mixture of French oak and stainless steel vessels. Aromas of Morello cherries, raspberries, mild spices, as well as the same charming minerality as Sancerre Blanc. Fine tannins and fresh acidity give a medium bodied wine that would be perfect with braised meats, fresh water fish and fresh cheese such as the local specialty, Chavignol.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kompas Wine Club","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43242094231629,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/4515\/0797\/files\/Henri_Bourgeon_Sancerre.png?v=1783977898"},{"product_id":"margerum-2024-cinsault-cinsault-los-olivos","title":"Margerum -- 2024 Cinsault -- Cinsault -- Los Olivos,","description":"\u003cp\u003eDoug Margerum, now in his 25th year as the proprietor and winemaker of his namesake winery, grows Rhone varieties on his organically farmed Los Olivos District AVA estate. Cinsault (SAN-so) is a southern French grape that is primarily used there as a blending grape in rosé, but here, as in other parts of the world that have well-farmed old Cinsault vines, it is earning soloist status due to the grape’s ability to produce light-bodied, fruity and floral wines that match the world’s growing taste for lighter and chillable reds. Notes of fresh dark berries, saddle leather, and Santa Barbara garrigue and sage on a plush, juicy, rounded palate that calls to mind Cru Beaujolais. Lovely on its own or with intensely flavored and\/or spicy food such as Vietnamese-style sauteed ground pork. Give this a good hour in the fridge and enjoy!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kompas Wine Club","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43242094329933,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/4515\/0797\/files\/Margerum_Cinsault.png?v=1783977898"},{"product_id":"breaking-bread-2025-gamay-gamay-fountain-grove-district-sonoma","title":"Breaking Bread -- 2025 Gamay -- Gamay -- Fountain Grove District, Sonoma","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBreaking Bread is the natural wine offshoot of Erik Miller’s Kokomo, whose Sauvignon Blanc was a previous club selection. Attracted to the best attributes of natural wine, Erik waited until he had 14 vintages and deep knowledge of his vineyards under his belt before diving into the natural waters and his experience shows itself in the intensity of the fruit and lack of funk. The \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fountaingrove_District_AVA#\/media\/File:TTB_Map_Sonoma_County_AVAs.png\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFountain Grove District AVA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is slightly warmer than the neighboring Russian River Valley, but slightly cooler than its other neighbors, Knights Valley, Spring Mountain and Sonoma Valley, with much variation in soil types in this Western section of the Mayacamas Mountains. Grown in his literal back yard on alluvial soils from neighboring Santa Rosa Creek, the viticulture is completely organic. Gamay, a grape most known for Beaujolais, needs slightly warmer climates than Pinot Noir, so the climate in Fountain Grove is suitable. Vinified like a Cru Beaujolais, with whole clusters in open top fermenters and aging in neutral French oak barrels, it is ripe yet fresh with all the flavors of a Beaujolais, but with a bit more heft. Gamay is one of the most versatile grapes for pairing and can accompany fish, poultry and pork, and can take a chill.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kompas Wine Club","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43242094559309,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/4515\/0797\/files\/Breaking_Bread.png?v=1783977898"},{"product_id":"saints-hills-2023-posh-posip-dalmatia-croatia","title":"Saints Hills -- 2023 Posh -- Posip -- Dalmatia, Croatia","description":"\u003cp\u003eWinemaking in Croatia goes back at least to the Greeks with one vineyard on the Island of Hvar, thought to be the oldest continuously cultivated vineyard in the world, dating to the fourth century BCE. Viticulture continued to flourish under the Romans, the Ottomans and the Hapsburgs and it wasn’t until the twin calamities of phylloxera and communism that Croatian wine disappeared from the world stage. With Croatian independence declared in 1991 and the war with Serbia and its aftermath occupying the country through the 90s, the country of 4.1 million has staged a remarkable comeback since then, with around five times that number of tourists visiting in 2023. Pošip (POE-ship) is a varietal indigenous to the island of Korčula and until about 15 years ago was the only place you could find the grape, but has recently won itself much more acreage in the wider region. Ernest Tolj found success in wire and cable manufacturing, but his family’s tradition of making wine for their own consumption offered him a new challenge and 20 years later he now owns vineyards and wineries along the whole Dalmatian Coast. This  wine has the signature heft of Pošip, with mineral cut and flavors of dried apricot, fig and caraway. Pairing options are diverse, from mussels and white fish to prosciutto, aged cheeses and pork chops.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kompas Wine Club","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43242094952525,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/4515\/0797\/files\/Saints_Hills_Posh.png?v=1783977898"},{"product_id":"tenuta-hans-rottensteiner-2024-pinot-grigio-pinot-grigio-suditrol-alto-adige","title":"Tenuta Hans Rottensteiner -- 2024 Pinot Grigio -- Pinot Grigio -- Suditrol, Alto Adige","description":"\u003cp\u003eAs befits the world’s most popular white wine grape, we have had a few bottles of Pinot Grigio\/Pinot Gris in the club over the years, but, surprisingly, we’ve never had one from its most respected Italian terroir, Alto Adige. The high-altitude vineyards of the Dolomite Mountains combine intense Mediterranean sun with cool alpine night breezes, resulting in lower grape yields but superior flavor concentration, crisp acidity, and a distinctive mineral depth. While not native to the region like the below Schiava is thought to be, this pink\/blue-skinned mutation of Pinot Noir has been grown here since the 18th century and there is no place in the world with more renowned Pinot Grigio\/Pinot Gris. The Rottensteiner family take their name from the red-tinged rocks in the area of Bolzano where the third and fourth generation produce the family’s wines. As is the norm here, this Pinot Grigio is fermented and aged briefly in stainless steel. Intense fresh pear, green melon, acacia and tarragon notes on a crisp, medium body that will accompany salads, creamy pastas, grilled chicken or white fish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kompas Wine Club","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43242095083597,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/4515\/0797\/files\/Rottensteimer_Pinot_Grigio.png?v=1783977898"},{"product_id":"domaine-bourdin-chancelle-2023-samur-blanc-chenin-blanc-samur-loire-valley","title":"Domaine Bourdin-Chancelle -- 2023 Samur Blanc -- Chenin Blanc -- Samur, Loire Valley","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe are undoubtedly big fans of Chenin Blanc, but it has been a few years since we have had an example from the home turf of the grape, the Loire Valley. The central Loire Valley, where Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc are the historic grapes, is the darling of people in the wine industry, producing age-worthy wines of character for a relative bargain. This example is grown in the classic Saumur combination of clay and limestone pebbles over tuffeau, a soft and porous limestone bedrock that was used extensively for construction of the chateaus and cathedrals of the Loire. Its effect on viticulture is to act as a sponge for water which the roots may access by burrowing ever deeper. A husband, wife and son team, Thierry, Lydie and Léonard Chancelle are sixth generation producers that produce lovely Cabernet Franc, but Chenin is their passion. Their organic grapes are fermented with indigenous yeast and aged in old barrels. The flavors here are classic Loire Chenin; white blossoms, honeyed apple (sometimes bruised), straw and lanolin, so we hesitate to mention that this is also a natural wine. It certainly wasn’t chosen for that reason and you wouldn’t really know it just from tasting it, but this knowledge could come in handy if you’re hosting a hipster or a Gen Zer. With its zippy acidity, Chenin is lovely with rich, creamy dishes, as well as intensely spiced fare, though if you do get into hotter spices, then an off-dry Chenin would be better.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kompas Wine Club","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43242095247437,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/4515\/0797\/files\/Dom_Chancelle_Samur.png?v=1783977898"},{"product_id":"monemvasia-2024-corax-asproudi-field-blend-multiple-indigenous-varietals-lakonia-peloponnese-greece","title":"Monemvasia -- 2024 \"Corax\" Asproudi Field Blend -- Multiple indigenous varietals -- Lakonia, Peloponnese, Greece","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe winery takes its name from the ancient port city of Monemvasia, whose wine became famous in the medieval world and whose recipe is lost to the mists of time. Along the way, the name Monemvasia was corrupted in Italian and Spanish to Malvasia and that name was then given in turn to a multitude of grapes whose wines were attempting to intimate the qualities of Monemvasia wine. Founded in 1997 by chemist Yorgos Tsimbidi and his wife Elli, Monemvasia Winery is dedicated to studying the ancient local varieties and historical production methods to attempt to recreate the legendary sweet wine, along with dry examples such as this present wine. Asproudi is thought to have been part of the original blend and the many clonal variations of the grape as well as the fact that the name in Greek simply means “white”, are an indication of its long history of use here. From vineyards just outside the city of Monemvasia, Asproudi creates wine of great structure. Fermentation is spontaneous, in small stainless steel tanks and maturation is done on the fine lees with periodic stirring for 12 months. Medium yellow-green color, fine aromas of yellow flowers, citrus fruits, and pear with fresh acidity and a full body. Serve with entree green salads, light soups or white pasta dishes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kompas Wine Club","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43242095345741,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/4515\/0797\/files\/Monemvasia_Corax.png?v=1783977898"},{"product_id":"weingut-furst-2024-elbling-dry-elbling-mosel-germany","title":"Weingut Furst -- 2024 Elbling Dry -- Elbling -- Mosel, Germany","description":"\u003cp\u003ePossibly native to the Mosel region, Elbling has been grown there since at least the Roman era and was the dominant white grape in Germany and Luxemburg until the early 19th century. Low in sugar and very high in acidity, the grape is often made into sparkling wine and is now grown only in the parts of the Mosel with limestone soils instead of slate, where Riesling struggles to ripen. In the very southern reach of the Mosel, within sight of the border with Luxemburg, the Fürst family has been growing grapes since the 13th century and Michel Fürst is the third generation of his family to bottle wine. They specialize in Elbling and one can see why. With its prickling acidity, low alcohol, aromas of fresh asian pear, straw, and cut flowers and flavors of the same, it is supremely refreshing and suitable for sipping all day. As it comes in a liter bottle you could almost do that. It is one of the few wines that we would agree to describe as more-ish. On the patio with light appetizers, at a picnic with sandwiches, or with ceviche or oysters. Long live Elbling!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kompas Wine Club","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43242095411277,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/4515\/0797\/files\/Weingut_Furst_Ebling.png?v=1783977898"},{"product_id":"quinta-do-crasto-2024-douro-branco-voisinho-rabigato-gouveio-douro-portugal","title":"Quinta do Crasto -- 2024 Douro Branco -- Voisinho, Rabigato, Gouveio -- Douro, Portugal","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor a country with an ancient winemaking tradition and which has the highest percentage of land under vine in Europe, it is somewhat surprising that relatively little wine besides Port makes it to the US market. The isolationism, dictatorship and centralized control of wine production that defined a large majority of the 20th century goes far in explaining this phenomenon, though, and it wasn’t until the Carnation Revolution of 1974 that democracy and economic revitalization began. Portugal’s entry into the European Union in 1986, with the accompanying access to capital,  really accelerated the modern era in Portuguese wine, yet even today, the legacy of their isolation is manifested in our relative lack of familiarity with the multitudes of indigenous grapes and regional styles despite their tremendous quality. If the reasonable prices on offer by those few Portuguese brands that do manage to make it to American wine shelves aren’t  enticement enough, contemplate how much confidence an importer\/distributer must have in the wine to even make the attempt. While everyone has heard of Port, many fewer would know that the Douro DOC label is used for dry, unfortified wines made from the same region and vineyards as Port, and fewer still that white wines are made there. Surprising to even wine aficionados, is how fresh the Douro whites,  with their indigenous grapes that are well suited to the legendarily hot climate, manage to be. Quinta do Crasto (CRAHSH-doe), established in 1615, is now run by the fourth generation of the Roquette family. This blend of 40% Viosinho, 30% Rabigato and 30% Gouveio is grown at the substantially cooler elevation of 600 meters, with north and east orientations. The wine is fermented low and slow then aged in a combination of stainless steel and neutral French oak. Orange blossom, fresh pear and citrus with a touch of minerals with a crisp and full bodied mouthfeel. It is positively lovely with roast fowl, seafood in cream sauce and alpine cheeses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kompas Wine Club","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43242095607885,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/4515\/0797\/files\/Crasto.png?v=1783977898"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0078\/4515\/0797\/collections\/Screenshot_2026-07-13_2.23.43_PM.png?v=1783977918","url":"https:\/\/kompaswineclub.com\/collections\/summer-2026.oembed","provider":"Kompas Wine Club","version":"1.0","type":"link"}