Leon has Landed!
If grapes, apples, and cranberries all walk into a bar, what do you get? The answer: Leon! This shiny canned ‘fruit wine’ hails from Vermont and was created by CO Cellars in Burlington, Vermont. The ‘CO’ in CO Cellars refers to two key things - collaboration between friends and co-fermentation. CO Cellars is a project from Krista Scruggs of ZAFA Wines (Burlington, VT) and David Dolginow and Colin Davis of Shacksbury Cider (Vergennes, VT).
This trio of friends are bonded together by their extraordinary love for Vermont and nature. They experiment with local grapes, apples and cranberries including the star of the show: Leon! The grape Leon is a hardy red grape named Leon Millet that thrives in cold temperatures. These grapes were grown by Snow Farm in the Champlain Islands in Lake Champlain. The local cranberries come from Vermont’s only commercial cranberry wholesaler, Vermont Cranberry Company. The local apples were grown and foraged by Yoder Farm in Danby, Vermont.
If you’re puzzled by the term co-fermentation here’s a simple definition for you - it’s when two or more fermentable sugar sources (like grapes, apples, strawberries, blueberries, etc.) are fermented in the same vessel together. To make Leon, these grapes, apples, and cranberries were gathered together, placed in a stainless steel tank, and fermented with wild, native yeasts. They were then slightly carbonated, with the addition of CO2, while in the tank before being canned into their bright purple cans.
One of the standout aspects of CO Cellars’ projects is their dedication to using sources, whether maple syrup, grapes, or apples, that all come from Vermont. If you’ve heard the pairing recommendation ‘what grows together goes together’ then that also includes Leon! The beauty of this ‘fruit wine’ is the balance of the fruit together. If you like Lambrusco, French Loire Valley wine, dry cider, or even sour beer, you’ll certainly enjoy this playful, canned 'fruit wine.' It’s tart and dry with notes of balsamic and dark cherry and the finish of a zippy, dry cider. Drink slightly chilled and pair with Ascutney Mountain, Brabander, or Barricato al Pepe! Go Leon! Go!
PS - Purchase LEON! online for shipping within MA, or call the shop at (978) 498-4820 for curbside pick-up or delivery!