Previous Staff Selections • Noelle Starr
Summer 2026
Hubba "Dreamland" Red Blend
(Central Coast, California)
Surdyk's Price
Ever had wine déjà vu? That happened to me during a staff tasting of Hubba's Dreamland Red Blend from California’s Central Coast. From the first sip, I felt like I knew this wine. The strange part? I'd never heard of Hubba Wines before. Curious, I flipped the bottle around and started reading the back label. A little context: for years, my family spent summer vacations in Paso Robles, California, just as the region was gaining national recognition. We fell in love with the winding hills, family-owned wineries, and especially the wines. The clues started adding up quickly. The blend—43% Grenache, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Graciano, and 5% Zinfandel—reminded me of the creative style of Vailia Esh of Desparada Winery. Sure enough, Hubba owner and winemaker Riley Roddick worked under Esh before launching her own label. Then came the vineyard sources: Bassetti, Lopai, and Lone Madrone. For anyone who loves Paso Robles, that's an all-star lineup. Suddenly, the familiarity made sense. I hadn't tasted this wine before, but I had experienced these vineyards and their personalities many times, just separately and in different bottles. Inspired by Spain's Priorat region, Dreamland is bold and expressive, with Grenache and Cabernet providing structure, Graciano adding freshness, and Zinfandel contributing spice. Despite its intensity, the wine remains balanced and surprisingly elegant at just 13.3% alcohol. Only 168 cases of the 2022 vintage were produced, and we secured Minnesota's entire allocation. This is serious winemaking from exceptional vineyards at a remarkable value. Once it's gone, it's gone.
Spring 2026
Field Recordings ‘Fiasco’ Red Blend
(Paso Robles, California )
Surdyk's Price
I first visited Paso Robles in 2009—the year before I began working at Surdyk’s—and I credit that trip with my decision to make wine a career. At the time, there were just over 170 wineries. Today, there are more than 300, and the region now encompasses 11 distinct AVAs. That growth is evident in our store as well. What was once just a handful of bottles has become a strong presence in our domestic aisles. And while I can find a reason for you to drink any of the Paso wines we carry, Field Recordings is a particular standout. Where most people begin their love of wine with the glass, owner and winemaker Andrew Jones started in the vineyard. As a vine nursery fieldman, he fell in love with the vines and the soil first. That work allowed him to become familiar with nearly every vineyard in the region—knowledge he now uses to source specific grapes from specific sites to create the exact wines he’s aiming for. Fiasco is his take on an Italian Super Tuscan and is named for the straw-wrapped bottles that famously held Chianti. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, it offers raspberry and blackberry, along with menthol and a hint of graphite from the Cabernet, balanced by cherry, spice, and acidity from the Sangiovese. It’s a big, bold wine—perfect for pizza, burgers, or pasta (basil pesto is a home run). One sip brings me right back to all that I love about Paso.
Winter 2025
Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône
(Rhone Valley, France )
Surdyk's Price
Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône has always held a special spot in my heart. When I first got serious about wine, I was drawn to the estate’s history (owned by the Barruol family since 1490) and their dedication to sustainable vineyard practices, culminating in the move to 100% biodynamic production in 2010. The bottle’s label felt satisfyingly old-world, and most importantly, the wine inside was delicious. If you’re tempted to overlook this because it’s a “basic” Côtes-du-Rhône, don’t. This is a serious wine from one of the leading estates in the Rhône Valley, made by Louis Barruol, whom Wine Spectator called the “Genius of Gigondas.” It’s pure Syrah, with no oak used in either its creation or aging — every flavor comes solely from grapes, soil, and stewardship. One of my favorite qualities is how beautifully it ages. Now, you’ll find fresh notes of berry, mineral, pepper, and herb. With time, it deepens into dark fruit, olive, and subtle florals. I love both stages equally — so much so that I buy it by the case to enjoy its evolution over several years. If enjoying it now, pair with lamb, beef, or a well-chosen charcuterie board (the Cheese Shop can help here), and stash a few bottles away — your future self will thank you.