We have included websites with each choice so you can explore the producers.
Try these accessible wines to sip while prepping or to pair with your next summer meal.
Northstar 2022 Columbia Valley Merlot – This wine, from Washington’s benchmark Merlot producer, is lush and rich, with concentrated aromas of red and black fruit and dark chocolate. It’s great with dry-rubbed pork ribs, or to pair with an elegant prime rib dinner.
Spring Valley Vineyard 2022 Nina Lee Syrah – From a sixth-generation family farm in the Walla Walla Valley, this savory, spice-driven Syrah shines alongside barbecue, burgers, roasted mushrooms, and elevated summer dinner parties with friends.
Mezzacorona DiNotte Red Blend 2023 – This wine brings an energetic “Alpine freshness” to the classic summer BBQ. Made from indigenous Dolomite grape varietals, this versatile red wine is a seamless blend of Teroldego, Marzemino, and a touch of Merlot. Because of the cool mountain nights where these grapes grow, the wine retains a vibrant acidity and a velvety texture. It delivers rich flavors of red currant, along with wild blackberry and blueberry. Its touch of acidity with a lingering finish makes it incredibly food-friendly.
Spring Valley Vineyard 2022 Katherine Corkum Cabernet Franc – This is a true representation of Spring Valley Cabernet Franc. The glass welcomes you with floral notes, along with blackberry and vibrant bright fruit, perfect for backyard grilling, herb-crusted lamb chops, steak, and relaxed summer dinners outdoors.
2024 Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc – A refreshing alternative to Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, with bright citrus, pear, and honeysuckle aromas leading to flavors of green apple, white peach, and subtle minerality. Crisp, textured, and food-friendly, it is perfect for summer sipping.
2022 Rosa Marie Estate Sparkling Rosé – Made with Sangiovese, an Italian grape far less common than Paso Robles’ mainstream plantings, this sparkling rosé opens with aromas of brioche, baking spice, dried rose petal, and apple, pairing beautifully with oysters, seared scallops, cheeses, and light desserts.
Spirit lovers know what to select for the next great cocktail!
Loca Loka Tequila is an innovative tequila brand that blends the vibrant cultures of India and Mexico. Their tequilas are distilled from 100% pure highland agave, perfectly balancing sweetness and spice. This blend captures the essence of the festive spirit of Mexico and aromatic spices of Indian cuisine, delivering a bold and exquisite experience. More than just a tequila, Loca Loka celebrates a cultural tapestry woven from the rich heritage of India and Mexico. The tequila name, combining the Spanish “LOCA” (crazy) and the Sanskrit “LOKA” (world), captures the essence of a spirit that transcends borders, offering a unique blend of traditions, tastes, and communal joy.
Oxbow Rum has an Estate Range that makes a quiet, confident statement: no additives, no shortcuts, nothing but the rum itself. The range comprises four distinct expressions: a Small Batch White Rum, a Barrel Aged Straight Rum, a Rhum Louisiane Unaged Agricole, and a Rhum Louisiane Single Barrel Aged Agricole, each one estate-crafted and bottled without coloring, flavoring, or sweetening of any kind. In a category where additives remain widespread and largely undisclosed, Oxbow’s commitment to additive-free production gives rum drinkers and consumers alike a genuinely compelling reason to pay attention.
Chicken Cock Whiskey, since its inception, has navigated a path unlike any other distillery. From 19th-century sales by the barrel to surviving the Whiskey Trust era, the brand famously refused to go quiet during Prohibition. By moving operations to Canada, Chicken Cock Rye became a staple of the underground scene, smuggled into iconic venues like Harlem’s Cotton Club. Simultaneously, it survived domestically as a prescribed “medicinal” spirit, often aged 10 to 16 years. The newly labeled core range is available at fine retailers nationwide and via the Chicken Cock Whiskey online shop.
Devil’s Grin Texas Gin, launched in 2024 and proudly rooted in Texas, offers an approachable alternative to traditional juniper-heavy gins. Named after the mesquite tree’s nickname, “the Devil with Roots,” the award-winning spirit derives its signature character from a blend of 14 botanicals sourced from six continents. Rather than allowing juniper to dominate, Devil’s Grin balances bright citrus notes, earthy complexity, and subtle spice, making it equally appealing to longtime gin enthusiasts, vodka drinkers, and those who may be newer to the category.
Top Shutterstock photo by Vadym Huzhva
