2019 Raen Winery The Monarch Challenge Rosé

Region: Sonoma Coast < California

Grape: Sangiovese, Grenache Blanc, Pinot Noir

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming; sandy loam soils; 12.8% ABV; 45 cases

Winemaker: Carlo & Dante Mondavi

NEW VINTAGE ALERT!  We're proud to support the 2019 Monarch Challenge!

The name 'The Monarch Challenge' comes from the fact that, since Roundup's introduction into the market in 1974, the Monarch butterfly population has declined by 90% and is currently under the threat of extinction. The environmental impact goes beyond the Monarch to frogs, bees, other pollinators, not to mention human health.  Through the sale of this wine (and others made by like-minded vintners who have produced a special bottle for the The Monarch Challenge), Carlo and Dante are building a team that works directly with farmers to eliminate chemical farming, especially glyphosate (the active ingredient in RoundUp) from the Napa & Sonoma valleys.  Sadly, the cost at the moment is a bit more than spraying glyphosate -- roughly $0.02 to $0.16 per bottle more. But an important part of their mission is developing technology that can make farming without herbicides equal to, if not less costly, than with them. We love that the Mondavi brothers are not just talking the sustainability talk (RAEN stands for ‘Research in Agriculture and Enology Naturally’), but walking the walk with the Monarch Challenge.

Oh, and the wine speaks for itself.  A crisp, nervy Provençal-style, Bandol-inspired rosé that you'll want to drink all day, every day, especially knowing that 100% of the proceeds, donated by RAEN, support the Monarch Challenge's critically important goals.