Westport Rivers Winery, Estate Pinot Meunier 2020, Westport, MA

A deep brick color, this wine is a little rustic, with an expressive nose of slightly stewed blackberries, vegetal notes of charred red pepper. The palate is fresh, balanced with a beautiful attack and a tender dripping finish of red fruit liqueur, vegetal and notes of undergrowth mushrooms. Exclusive to Bonde.

COUNTRY: USA

STATE: MA

APPELLATION (AVA): Southern New England

REGION: Buzzards Bay

VINEYARD: Westport Rivers Estate Vineyard

VINTAGE: 2020

GRAPES: 100% Pinot Meunier

SOIL: Granite over glacial outwash

PRACTICE: Sustainable

VINIFICATION: Grapes were de-stemmed and crushed upon arrival from the vineyard. After two days of cold soak, grapes were fermented in small 1-ton fermentors with twice daily punchdowns. Pressing after fermentation is completed and wine racked to older French oak barrels. Aged in barrel for one year before bottling. Unfiltered so it will develop a natural sediment in the bottle. 

STYLE: Still

COLOR: Deep brick color with a pale garnet heart

BODY: Light to medium bodied

TASTE: Dry

TANNINS: Fine and delicate

PRIMARY AROMAS: White blackberries slightly stewed, vegetal notes of charred red peppers, charcoal, hot tar, rustic

FLAVOR: Fresh, balanced, red fruit liqueur, vegetal and notes of undergrowth mushrooms

FORMAT: 750 ml

ALCOHOL: 13%

SERVICE AND FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTION: Pair with our BBQ-Grilled Butterfly Quail, Black Cherries, and Cherry Tomatoes—a recipe developed specifically for this wine.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Westport Rivers Winery

In 1982 Bob and Carol Russell sought to re-enter the wine-growing business that Carol’s father, Herbert Grifenhagen, and grandfather, Max Grifenhagen, loved so dearly.  Herb and his father had grown their upstate New York Germania Wine Cellars brand into a nationally celebrated sparkling wine.  The Russell couple dreamed of returning to the family’s tradition of raising grapes and making champagne.  In 1982, after searching the globe for the perfect place to farm flavorful sparkling wine, they chose Westport, MA.  Their bold vision and daring tactic was proven to be revolutionary.

Several years later, the vines arrived and oldest son Rob came aboard to plant and manage the vineyard. Rob and his crew planted the first vines in 1986. Since then, our vineyard has grown to 80 acres, the largest vineyard in New England.

Hugo and Luis Quezada joined Rob in the vineyard during the 90’s. The winery opened to the public during the summer of 1991 and has earned over 20 gold medals and endless praise from wine critics worldwide.

The Russell’s founded both Buzzards Bay Brewing and Westport Rivers Winery upon this deep regard for local agriculture and education. As of 2012, the Russell Family has permanently preserved 400 acres of working farmland and forest.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD: 80-acre sustainable vineyard planted in 1986

ABOUT PINOT MEUNIER: Pinot Meunier is a legendary grape variety that was known in the 12th century under the name of "Morillon taconné." It probably originated in Burgundy, and is the King of Champagne just after Pinot Noir. Its frost resistance and hardiness give it a prominent place in our New England climate. Often produced in mono-varietal in regions outside Champagne, it is found in Touraine, Alsace, and the Loire, but also in Germany, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England. Stateside, it can be found in California, New York, and Massachusetts.