I’m guessing that the 2025 “Trashfire” blend – 60% Chardonnay and 40% Grenache – is Winemaker Kyle’s playful take on so-called “natural wine”. Kyle, tell me if I’m wrong.
The grapes went through whole-cluster co-fermentation using native yeast and open stainless steel; No fining, no filtering, no use of new oak; not to mention the somewhat unorthodox blending of Chardonnay and Grenache. The result is a funky and fun mashup rosé-red blend.
Its color is cherry red – blood orange, which says it all. Bright red, tart fruit, and spice are balanced with medium acidity and herbal notes. And, at only 12% alcohol, you can sit awhile with this wine and friends on a warm summer day or night, or both.
I just returned from a trip to Croatia. The locals there would enjoy a wine like this “Bevanda” style, mixing red wine with soda water. Although don’t tell Kyle I said so 😉
Read Kyle Knapp’s Wine Characters interview. Learn more about the history of this wine.