Made in Vermont
If you picture the ideal land for winemaking, Vermont ain’t it! With its frigid winds and freezing temperatures, the Green Mountain State is too cold to grow most well-known grapes like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Owners and winemakers of La Garagista, Deirdre Heekin and Caleb Barber, manage Vermont’s tough climate by growing hybrid grape varieties.
These hybrids are achieved by crossing (like mating) Vitis vinifera grapes (the family that includes grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) with native North American grape species of Vitis Labrusca (like the Concord grape). The result is new types of heartier grapes that can withstand cooler temperatures and harsh, wintery climates. The reason why Vitis labrusca grapes like Concord and Niagara aren’t international grape stars like Cabernet Sauvignon, is that wines from these grapes tend to be less complex and have spicy, wet-fur, rustic, foxy notes that can be quite intense. However, research institutions and universities are dedicated to further developing these grape hybrids to enhance their complexity as well as their resistance to cold weather. All of the grape vines planted at La Garagista are from hybrids created at the University of Minnesota.
While performing as modern dancers in Italy during the 1990’s, Caleb and Deirdre became appreciative of Italian cuisine which inspired them to open their Italian themed ‘garden to table’ restaurant Osteria Pure e Salute in Barnard, Vermont. With their all natural wine list, Deirdre became extra curious about biodynamic and organic wine, bought grapes, and started making wine in their bathtub. (Don’t worry they have a proper cellar nowadays.)
Today La Garagista’s natural wines are some of the most sought after in all of New England! Elegant, complex, and downright delicious, each cuvée offers an unforgettable personality.
2020 La Garagista Harlots & Ruffians
This orange wine is made from a blend of La Crescent and Frontenac Gris. These grapes are fermented whole-cluster in a flex-tak and spend five weeks on their skins. The resulting wine has stunning notes of marmalade, chamomile, and lemon squares.
2020 La Garagista Damejeanne
This is one of Deirdre’s flagship reds, is made from the grape Marquette, which is fermented with native yeasts and spends a year aging in glass demijohns. It has notes of blackberries, pomegranates, and violets.
Vermont Bonus!
Another Vermont winemaker we love? Kobey Shwayder of Vermont Vermouth. Based in Brattleboro, Kobey founded his company as a creative outlet for his love of flavor and recipe experimentation. His Vermont Vermouth Sweet Boreas has a base of La Crescent grape that is then fortified and blended with a plethora of local botanicals and spices including mugwort, yarrow, allspice, cinnamon, and caramel. This slightly sweet vermouth has notes of caramel apples, ginger, and orange candy. Mix this tasty vermouth into your favorite cocktail, or simply pour over ice and enjoy its full complexity!