2023 Deux Punx No Comply

Region: Pinot Noir - Barison Vineyard (Tehama County) / Pinot Gris - Heringer Vineyard (Clarksburg)

Grapes: 50% Pinot Noir & 50% Pinot Gris

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming; Pinot Noir was traditionally fermented (destemmed), while the Pinot Gris had 24 hours of skin contact to add texture and character.;bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal added So2; 11.8% ABV

Winemaker: Dan Schaaf & Aaron Olson

Dan Schaaf, former skateboarder now water-resources engineer, and his partner Aaron Olson, former punk band drummer turned software engineer, have no intention of ever trading the security of their straight gigs for full-time winemaking. Because they don't want to be dependent on the income from wine to put food on the table - lest it change their motivation for natty winemaking and affordability.  They met in 2005 and bonded over this shared punk attitude. Their motto: “Deux Punx are the antidote the wine industry needs. Utter crassness! No training, no affiliations and plans to keep it that way. Punk rock ethos insist wines are made frugally and sold for honest prices.”

The parallels between their love of punk/skate culture and the back-to-basics, anti-establishment ethos of natural winemaking are clear.  They're all about risk and freedom, having skipped skilled formal winemaking training, instead taking a DIY approach.  Schaaf says: “Aaron and I have always said, ‘let’s not be influenced, let’s
be outsiders a little bit.” And while they've come a long way, they're still on the fringe -- and happy to stay there.  They started with a 60 case production in 2007, and are now up to a whopping 700 cases total across 8 or so different wines.

But the wines are good.  Really good.  Like this crunchy chillable red that's just right for this time of year.  It's part of their No Comply series -- same label, different varietal every vintage.  No Comply is a classic skateboarding trick, and like every skate trick there are variations.

This vintage bright cranberry, tart cherry, and wild strawberries collide with notes of blood orange, peach skin, and a hint of earthy funk. The palate is juicy and electric, with mouthwatering acidity and just enough grip to keep things edgy. Unfiltered, unfined, and unapologetically fresh, this wine is as rebellious as its name. No rules, no compromises-just pure, punk rock deliciousness.