Perfect Pairings: The Winemaker Edition

What happens when love meets winemaking? Magic in a bottle. This month, we're celebrating couples who turned their passion for each other into passion projects that'll make you weak in the knees. These dynamic duos prove that the best wines, like the best relationships, are all about chemistry.

Happy February, love birds. We hope this month’s lineup makes you swoon.

The Halfseas Team

ALL CLUB MEMBERS GET TO ENJOY THESE 3 BOTTLES:

Les Errances Topette

Grape: Chenin Blanc
Region: Loire Valley, France
Retail: $28
Pronunciation: "SHEN-in BLAHNK"

Meet Warren and Maïté Perrocheau, the corporate world escapees who traded PowerPoints for pruning shears. After their meet-cute in business school (2009), this adventurous couple wandered through Mexico and Sweden before finding their true calling in France's Loire Valley. In 2018, they founded Les Errances (meaning "Wanderings" - how fitting!) and now tend to 6 hectares of vines using permaculture principles. Their Topette Chenin Blanc is like their love story - pure, authentic, and with just the right amount of French charm.

Pairs well with: Fresh crab cakes with herbed aioli

2023 EZY TGR

Grape: Pinot Noir
Region: Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA
Retail: $28
Pronunciation: "PEE-no NWAHR"

When Serbia-born Ksenija Kostic fell for Oregon's landscapes, she didn't just fall for the terroir - she fell for winemaker John House too. Together, they've been crafting liquid poetry at Ovum Wines since 2011. This Pinot Noir is their latest masterpiece, proving that like any great relationship, the best wines are about finding perfect balance.

Pairs well with: Herb-roasted chicken with root vegetables

Villa Venti

Grape: Sangiovese
Region: Romagna, Italy
Retail: $20
Pronunciation: "san-joh-VAY-zeh"

"Everything started with my father's dream," says Beatrice Giardini of Villa Venti. "He came home one day in 2002 and asked my mom, 'What about if we completely change our lives?' Instead of living as normal people, what if we buy a piece of land and start making wine?" For reasons unknown but eternally celebrated, Manuela said yes to Mauro's wild proposition. Now practicing organic and biodynamic farming, this romantic leap of faith has transformed into something magical. As Beatrice puts it perfectly: "When you drink our wine, you're drinking our soil, our land, and the air you breathe in Villa Venti." Some love stories are written in the stars - this one was written in the soil.

Pairs well with: Wild mushroom risotto with fresh herbs

6-BOTTLE MEMBERS ALSO GET TO ENJOY THESE 3 BOTTLES:

2023 Dm. de Majas VDP Cotes Catalanes Rosé

Grape: Cabernet Franc
Region: Roussillon, France
Retail: $26
Pronunciation: "cab-er-NAY FRAHNK"

Alain and Agnès Carrère's love story sits at 350-400 meters above sea level, where Mediterranean breezes kiss their 30 hectares of vines. Since 1992, they've been proving that the best relationships, like the best rosés, are about finding the perfect elevation.

Pairs well with: Korean fried chicken with gochujang glaze

Ruggeri Corsini

Grape: Dolcetto
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Retail: $22
Pronunciation: "dol-CHET-to"

When two agriculture nerds fall in love, beautiful things happen. Loredana Addari and Nicola Argamante met while geeking out over viticulture at the University of Turin - she was mastering grape growing, he was PhD-ing in vine diseases. In 1995, they ditched city life for a dreamy estate in Monforte d'Alba. Now that's what we call a power couple!

Pairs well with: Classic pasta Bolognese with fresh parmigiano

2020 Domaine de la Biscarelle 'C&J Grieco'

Grape: Carignan
Region: Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France
Retail: $24
Pronunciation: "care-ee-NYAN"

"L'histoire continue..." (The story continues...) isn't just a fancy French phrase on the label - it's Christelle and Jérôme Grieco's love letter to their journey together. When they took over her father's estate in 2009, they didn't just inherit great terroir - they inherited a legacy of love for the land that shows in every bottle.

Pairs well with: Slow-cooked beef stew with fresh herbs

Looking for past lineups? We got you.

REMINDERS

• As always, our food suggestions are just starting points. Wine is nostalgic and we’re big fans of making what you like, drinking what you like, and not giving a damn if they “go” together.

• Email us at info@halfseaswine.com to buy more single bottles or a 12-bottle case with special pricing.

• Wine pairs best with friends. Tell your friends.