Previous Staff Selections • Drew Fuller
Spring 2026
Alveo Zinfandel by Klinker Brick
(Lodi, California)
Surdyk's Price
As March approaches, I look forward to warmer temps and the opportunity to take the cover off the grill and use fire and smoke to create boldly flavored meals. The grilled meats and vegetables cry out for a wine equally rich and bold to enhance the meal, and there is no wine better suited to this than those made from Zinfandel grapes. The gnarled old vines in Lodi, California have been producing small yields of intensely flavored grapes for over 100 years. They create wines of power with gobs of dark fruits, lush tannins, and thankfully enough bright notes of acidity to keep the wines perfectly balanced. I am not a fan of huge, extracted Zins that are solely about dark fruit and brute power. That is why I so enjoyed sipping this Alveo Zinfandel made by Klinker Brick Winery and discovering the rich dark fruit was balanced by lively acidity and a long, velvety finish. Klinker Brick winery was founded in 2000 by owners Steve and Lori Felton, who carry on five generations of grape farming dating back to 1893. They use sustainable farming practices to produce wines from 750 acres of vineyards in the Lodi AVA, and have incorporated the sixth generation of the Felton family in key roles of the business. The Alveo Zinfandel in the glass exhibits a light purple color that shimmers with brightness. The nose begins with lush red and black fruits, slight earthiness, warm baking spices, and hints of vanilla. Rich dark fruit flavors envelop the palate with enough bright acidity to provide focus and a long silky finish. Pair this with anything grilled, meat-sauced pastas, blue cheeses, Aged Cheddar or Gouda, and don’t forget to grab a slice of flourless Chocolate Cake in the Cheese Shop! Enjoy this incredible value Zin at all of your picnics and dinner parties this year, and I am sure your guests will be quickly asking for another glass, and another and… Cheers!
Winter 2025
Viña Borgia By Bodegas Borsao
(Campo de Borja, Spain)
Surdyk's Price
Wines from Spain have often appealed to me, whether they be old world reds from Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions, or aromatic whites made with the Albarino grape. I have also enjoyed many Garnacha wines and recently came across an incredible wine from the iconic producer Bodegas Borsao called Viña Borgia. Located in northeastern Spain, the Campo de Barja D.O. is famous for producing world class red wines since Roman times using the Garnacha grape (62% of all planted vines). Continental climate with the Atlantic Ocean influence of cool breezes combined with the warm Mediterranean sun leads to wines with good acidity, vibrant color, and soft tannins. The average age of the vineyards is 30-50 years old with low yields creating intensely flavored grapes. Bodegas Borsao winery is certified organic and vegan and was founded in 2001 as a merger of three cooperatives made up of hundreds of family farmers. They make both expensive wines and affordable table wines, with Viña Borgia falling under the incredibly affordable style! Fresh aromas of red currant, plum, blueberry, and cassis combine with earthy notes and subtle anise aromas. These aromas carry over to the palate where the fruit and acidity combine perfectly to produce a fresh and vibrant wine that is complex with a surprisingly persistent, long finish that leads to you wanting your next sip of wine, preferably with your next bite of food. This is relatively easy to achieve if the wine is $30-$50, but is incredibly difficult to achieve when the wine is $15 ($10 on sale!!!). Pair this gem with paella, salads, pasta, chicken, pork, and cheeses such as the Casa Lusa Zimbro sheep’s milk cheese from Portugal that you can get in Surdyk’s Cheese shop. “Salud!”
Spring 2025
Tiberio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
(Italy)
Surdyk's Price
Azienda Agricola Tiberio is located in central Italy, 23 miles inland from the Adriatic seaside city of Pescara near the hillside town of Cugnoli. At 1150 feet, it has a unique microclimate that enjoys moderating sea breezes coming from the Adriatic and cool and fresh mountain air coming from the Majella and Gran Sasso Mountains. The vineyards are dry farmed and follow biodynamic farming techniques to encourage the grapes to be an accurate reflection of the land, soil, and climate. Long, spontaneous fermentations using natural yeasts, aging in stainless steel vats, and no fining or filtration to enhance the mouthfeel and structure of the wine. I normally enjoy wines that have some barrel aging to provide a sense of weight and structure, but the age of the vines helps produce a low yield of intensely flavored grapes that provide enough tannins so that barrel aging is not needed. Beautiful aromas of red and blue fruits, subtle floral notes intermingle with hints of tobacco and earth, with a streak of stony mineral notes. All of these carry over to the elegant palate, with fresh lush fruit flavors of plum and cherry, with bright acidity and mineral notes helping to focus the wine and lead to a long, precise finish. Silky yet substantial tannins make this wine a wonderful companion to a wide variety of foods. Pasta with Bolognese meat sauce, grilled meats, portobello mushrooms, fennel sausage, and lamb kebabs. Enjoy this beautiful wine for as long as it lasts, as this wine is not imported in huge quantities. Salute!