Skin Contact Wines

Salty & Fresh

Joan Ramón Escoda has been shaking the pillars of winemaking in his home-country and abroad since the 90's. He is an absolute anarchist, a radical winemaker, a rock'n'roller and a grass-roots innovator; and his wines are everything but banal.

Mas del Gaio is the top white from Celler Escoda-Sanahuja. An old-vine expression from rustic limestone vineyards next to the winery, blending Garnacha Blanca, Macabeu, and Parellada. Garnacha Blanca and Macabeu are fermented together. Once everything is combined, the wine is aged mostly in large amphora and old French barrels. Mas del Gaio has aromas of stone fruit, lemon verbena, and fuzzy peach skins, with a long, fleshy and salty finish. Fantastic acidity and viscosity from the lees aging. Tropical too, with subtle notes of passion fruit.

Pair it with fish dishes and cured cheeses.

Bright & Zippy

Amidst the rolling hills and the river Po, nestled within the forests, fields and meadows, Daniele Saccoletto's winery sits quietly watching over their ten hectares of land spread between the towns of San Giorgio and Rosignano for over forty years.

I Tigli is a wine made from the indigenous piedmontese varieties Bussanello and Timorasso. The grapes are exposed to a skin-contact maceration for about ten days, it is not quite an orange wine but in that direction, and Daniele does not filter, so it is a bit cloudy with the wine retaining both great acidity and texture.This zesty skin-contact white has aromas of citrus fruits such as lemon verbena, fresh red apples and ginger. It has an interesting mineral character to it; and on the palate is vibrant and crisp, with flavours of lime and pears. 

This wine is the perfect pairing for fresh seafood, crunchy greens, root veggies and big-personality cheeses.

Juicy & Round

Elios was born from the passion of two young Sicilian friends who, in love with their land, decided to take over their families' farms and focus on producing natural wines and other products such as olive oil and honey.

Katamacerato is Elios' orange wine made from Catarratto grapes. The grapes are cultivated in their estate in Alcamo, and harvested by hand. Once at the winery, the Catarratto grapes macerate on their skins for a whole week, fermenting spontaneously. The wine has a deep orange colour and great aging potential. Both on the nose and on the palate, it is intense and structured, with beautifully integrated tannins and notes of thyme, rosemary, and ripe fruit. These notes come together creating a fresh and very drinkable Sicilian orange. Pure Mediterranean essence!

Herbal & Textured

Located in Snežatno in the Goriška Brda zone of Slovenia, near the border of Italy, Štekar winery is known for producing wines in the traditional manner, with extended skin contact and little or no sulphur added.  The hilly rugged terrain is marked with monuments to both world wars.

Rebula, also known as Ribolla Gialla, is a grape native to Friuli in Italy and this little corner of western Slovenia. As the natural fermentation began, the skins remained with the must for 24 days before being removed. The wine remained in giant Acacia wood barrels for eight months before being bottled without filtration. The result is expressive and spectacular; aromatic and inviting on the nose, the Rebula showcases yellow fruit, a firm structure. 

You can pair this wine with a variety of cuisines, from brothy Asian-inspired dishes, to steak and potatoes.