2019 Lula 'State Flower' Valdiguié

Region: Redwood Valley AVA < Mendocino County < California

Grapes: Valdiguié

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Dry farmed & certified organic fruit grown in red clay soils; whole clusters went through carbonic maceration for less than a week then saw light treading before being pressed on day 7; aged for 5 months in neutral oak before bottling unfined/unfiltered with zero-added So2; 12.5% ABV; 20 cases

Winemaker: Megan Sekermestrovich

We first met Megan Sekermestrovich at the WineFare tasting in early March, which showcases women making natural wine.  Her beautiful label caught my eye, but her joyful juice and contagious energy sealed the deal.  This is her very first wine, which is as hands-off as they come -- as in, nobody touched the wine at all, because Megan moved to Texas once the wine began spontaneous malolactic fermentation, and it just sat alone in the corner doing it's thing. 

Her story is inspiring as well.  No wine professional here, Megan was working full-time in the fashion industry when she visited Purity Wine (our buddy Noel!) for a tasting and left with an invitation to make her own wine at Noel's Richmond Co-op.  As a long-time curious (but also nosey) consumer, Megan didn't hesitate to take her passion to the next level, buying grapes the next week.

Lula's first vintage, State Flower, produced only a single barrel -- but dang, we wish she made more!  Because this lovely light, chillable red is SO GOOD -- bright and bursting with the punctuated tartness of raw cranberry, seeds and all, and a slight grip at the finish that grounds this otherwise splashy red. Super limited quantities -- Megan only made 20 cases and we got 3!  Grab some bottles quickly before they disappear, and remember, as you watch Megan's star rise, that you were in on the ground floor of Lula's very first vintage.  Which is pretty cool.

SERVE SLIGHTLY CHILLED.