I love the social aspect of summer, spending time with family and friends and trying new wines. Owning a wine shop I have the pleasure of sampling wines every week. When presented with a new bottling at a value price point, I wonder if it’s going to be a “homerun” or a “foul ball”. Why do some wines succeed and others fail?   I believe it’s the winemaker’s winning philosophy that is crucial to the creation of great wines.  Shoofly, A to Z, D’Arenberg and Innocent Bystander are all wineries that exhibit different winning philosophies and each of them succeed in creating great value wines.

Each of these summertime sippers hit one right out of the park.  I hope these wines make your time with friends and family more memorable!


Shoofly “Buzzcut” White Blend ~ $10.99
From famed winemaker Ben Riggs, this blend of Viognier, Riesling, Chardonnay, Verdelho and Semillon is sharply focused with plenty of ripe orchard fruit and zippy acidity.  Shoofly garnered the renowned skills and connections of winemaker Ben Riggs. He’s a South Australian native who knows his stuff, and where to get it. His roster of grape growers is one of the most sought after contact lists in the country, meaning the grapes come from a “who’s who” of Australian growers.

A to Z Rosé ~ $14.99
So you think you don’t like rosé? Give this Sangiovese based wine a try.  It has a smooth, rich body with abundant flavors and aromas of summer strawberry and raspberry.  A to Z winery also began with expert experience and skills, but they also only make one cuvee of each wine a year, ensuring quality over quantity.

D’Arenberg Custodian Grenache ~ $18.99
Turn your Pinot-loving friends on to this delicious Grenache from world famous d’Arenberg winery.  It displays vibrant cherry fruit with flowery aromas and notes of licorice.  D’Arenberg has been producing wines since 1912 and they have been farsighted enough or as they say “they enjoy doing things differently” not to have submitted to trends. In the 1980’s many Australian wineries began ripping out Grenache vineyards to plant “popular” varieties. Replanting a vineyard is an expensive process and it can take years for the grapevines to mature. Most of those costs are passed on to the consumer. D’Arenberg kept their Grenache vineyards and now produce lovely and expressive old vine Grenache at truly delicious prices. 

Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato ~ $13.99 half bottle 
Innocent Bystander is a relatively new winery that reveres food and wine. These folks roast their own coffee beans. The winemaker is known as a flavor junkie. He was a chef and cheese maker previously. Good people passionately involved with the art of taste.  Brand new to Ohio, this little sparkler is making quite a sensation!  It’s slightly sweet with flavors of Watermelon, strawberry and kiwi and a gentle spritz. With a bottle cap for easy opening! 

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