Breaking 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 Fountain Grove District AVA 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.
