May 2025 Wine Selection
This month’s curated collection from WineCollective
White Wines
Brightwater Sauvignon Blanc
Brightwater Vineyards | 2023 | Sauvignon Blanc | Nelson, New Zealand
Located just outside of picturesque Nelson, which is known as the sunshine capital of New Zealand, Brightwater Vineyards is named after the local village of the same name. The vineyards are situated on the Hope Plains of Nelson, and run across an elevated river terrace. Owners, Gary and Valley Neale, returned to New Zealand after what seemed a lifetime of expatriate life and decided to pursue their passion for making wine. In 1993, they planted their first vines and watched the wine industry in Nelson slowly come to life. In 2003, they built their winery giving them utmost control over every procedure.
Their winemaker, Steve Gill, has extensive experience in winemaking, with over twenty years of vintages in Burgundy at Domaine Dujac, Napa Valley at Saintsbury, in Alsace, and in the Mosel Valley in Germany.
Flavour Profile: Grapefruit, Lemon, Floral, Apple, Chalk
Food Pairing: Chicken and rice pilaf, arugula and melon salad, and lemon bars
Serving Temperature: 8°C | Drinking Window: Now–2028
Retail: $28.99 | Club: $23.19
Ronceno Viognier
Sibliana | 2021 | Viognier | Sicily, Italy
Sibliana Vini is a Sicilian wine producer known for its focus on quality and indigenous varietals. Sibiliana is a subsidiary of Cantine Europa S.C.A., one of the largest cooperatives in Europe, established in 1962 with over 2,000 wine growers as partners and 4,500 hectares of vineyards stretching across Trapani, Agrigento, and Palermo. The brand focuses on traditional varieties native to Sicily such as Grillo, Nerello Mascarese, Nero D’Avola, and Catarratto.
The name “Sibliana” is inspired by the Sibliana Tower that presides over Petrosino in Sicily — a tower with a light to guide local sailors home, symbolizing guidance and connection to the local area.
Flavour Profile: Pineapple, Honeycomb, Mango, Melon, Nectarine
Food Pairing: Tropical fruit salad, soft cheeses, and sautéed black cod
Serving Temperature: 9°C | Drinking Window: Now–2026
Retail: $25.99 | Club: $20.79
Perdeberg Grenache Blanc
Perdeberg | 2023 | Grenache Blanc | Paarl, South Africa
The 2023 vintage was very interesting in this region. A cooler growing season allowed for a slow and balanced harvest. The grapes came from two distinctive vineyard sites around 15 years in age, with soils of decomposed granite, sandstone, and Malmesbury shales — no irrigation used. The grapes were destemmed, had two-hour skin contact, with 70% fermented in stainless steel and aged on lees for three months. The remaining 30% was fermented and aged for six months in 500-litre French oak barrels on its lees. No malolactic fermentation ensures the wine’s acidity is retained.
White pear is ever present with complementary notes of green apple and hints of spices such as cumin. Vegetal notes of fennel, combined with a creamy mouthfeel complete the palate. Fresh mango adds a tropical fruit edge.
Flavour Profile: Pear, Apple, Mango, Nutmeg/Clove, Fennel
Food Pairing: Spicy Maitake mushrooms, creamy polenta with braised chicken and leeks, or tempura sweet potato
Serving Temperature: 13°C | Drinking Window: Now–2028
Retail: $21.99 | Club: $17.59
Château Dey Peyrel Blanc
Château Dey Peyrel | 2019 | Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon | Bordeaux, France
Located in the Bergerac region, just east of Bordeaux. The fruit for this wine comes from 60-plus year-old vines. Semillon makes up most of this blend, with a small percentage of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle added in. Aged on its fine lees, which adds depth and texture to this fresh dry white. With no oak, the fruit is vibrant and alive, brimming with vivacity.
Chateau De Peyrel was restored to its original winemaking vocation in 2013. The property was abandoned at the end of WWII and saw its return in 2000 when Franck Decouroux purchased the property. In 2013, he acquired 6.5 hectares of old vines aged between 70 and 100 years. In 2021, the vineyards were officially classified as bio-organic.
Flavour Profile: Melon, Orange, Peach, Almond, Grapefruit
Food Pairing: Thai red curry, Palak Paneer, and grilled prawns with goat cheese
Serving Temperature: 8°C | Drinking Window: Now–2026
Retail: $26.99 | Club: $21.59
Greedy Bird Chardonnay
Greedy Bird | 2019 | Chardonnay | South Australia, Australia
Greedy Bird is one of the singular projects by Brand & Sons, a boutique wine producer based in Coonawarra, South Australia. All of their projects are focused solely on small batch wines that highlight very specific terroirs scattered around the continent. The Brand family legacy dates back six generations and today is managed by fourth generation vigneron, Sam Brand.
Chardonnay has a long history in South Australia, arriving in the 1960s. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, winemakers began to focus on fresher examples without the heavy use of oak — styles which showcased more complexity and brightness of fruit.
Flavour Profile: Peach, Stone, Nectarine, Melon, Apricot
Food Pairing: Ricotta & arugula bruschetta, caramelized onion flatbread, and poached scallops with soft grits
Serving Temperature: 9°C | Drinking Window: Now–2027
Retail: $22.99 | Club: $18.39
Hasher Family Estate Marimist
Hasher Family Estate | 2022 | Chardonnay | Hemel-En-Aarde, South Africa
Frederik grew up in Belgium, but spent his summers in Hermanus, South Africa and fell in love with it. The couple finally made the move thirteen years later with their three kids. As a fully family-owned and operated venture, Frederik and Celine guide every facet of Hasher Family Wines. They are aided by Celine’s uncle, Xavier Haspeslagh and his wife Christine Boukaert, who are co-owners in the estate.
Their winemaker is Natasha Williams, who grew up in the town of Saron, nestled in the Tulbagh mountains. The focus on the estate is prioritizing quality over yield with Burgundian varieties, embracing regenerative farming practices that minimize their footprint on the land.
Flavour Profile: Lemon/Lime, Peach, Floral, Stone, Cedar/Oak
Food Pairing: Creamy pasta with prawns, blanched veal with lemon, and pan-seared salmon
Serving Temperature: 10°C | Drinking Window: Now–2028
Retail: $61.99 | Club: $49.59
Red Wines
Brightwater Pinot Noir
Brightwater Vineyards | 2023 | Pinot Noir | Nelson, New Zealand
From the same Brightwater estate on the Hope Plains of Nelson, owners Gary and Valley Neale have over twenty years of experience and are considered leaders amongst their peers. In 2007, they successfully launched their small volume premium collection, building a solid reputation backed by numerous awards.
Their winemaker, Steve Gill, brings extensive experience from Burgundy at Domaine Dujac, Napa Valley at Saintsbury, Alsace, and the Mosel Valley in Germany — a pedigree that shines in this elegant Pinot Noir.
Flavour Profile: Cherry, Raspberry, Tea, Cranberry, Mint
Food Pairing: Pan-seared duck breast, roasted potatoes in pesto cream, and beef tenderloin with red wine reduction
Serving Temperature: 17°C | Drinking Window: Now–2030
Retail: $36.49 | Club: $29.19
Terra De Asorei Espadeiro
Terra De Asorei | 2021 & 2022 | Espadeiro | Rias Baixas, Spain
Terra De Asorei is located in the Galicia region of Spain in Rias Baixas. Asorei farms 60 hectares of vineyards aged between 15 and 80 years in the sub-region of the Salnés Valley. The winery was formed in 2008 when six families came together to form one entity. Since the 18th century, Espadeiro has been the namesake red varietal in the Salnés Valley, but fell into decline from the 1960s due to low production and an increase in Albariño. Asorei has revived this traditional varietal with very limited production from vines over 50 years of age.
Medium-deep garnet in colour with an overwhelming intensity of red fruit dominated by strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry. Hints of vanilla with balanced acidity and harmonious tannins with a slightly creamy finish. Earthy notes and sun-dried tomatoes with brined olives bring complexity.
Flavour Profile: Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry, Tomato, Vanilla
Food Pairing: Creamy portobello mushroom stew, grilled shrimp skewers, and Spanish Paella
Serving Temperature: 15°C | Drinking Window: Now–2029
Retail: $54.49 | Club: $44.39
Famille Fabre Château Fabre Gasparets Cru Boutenac
Château Fabre Gasparets | 2020 | Carignan, Mourvèdre, Syrah | Languedoc, France
The Fabre family flagship, located in the historical centre of Corbières-Boutenac (cru-classé since 2005). Gasparets sits in one of the 10 municipalities that make up the famous Golden Triangle. Their oldest vines date from 1934. The soils are varied with siliceous pebbles in a mixture of limestone dating back to the Miocene period. Since 1991, Louis Fabre has been one of the first Languedoc winemakers to go organic, constantly developing eco-conscious farming solutions.
Vines are 20 years old from rocky terraces 75m above sea level. All grapes were handpicked and de-stemmed. The wine saw 12 months in French oak (80%) and neutral oak vats (20%). Intensely spicy with Morello cherry, black fruits, and a long, rich finish.
Flavour Profile: Cherry, Tobacco, Cranberry, Nutmeg/Clove, Pepper
Food Pairing: Ribeye steak with trumpet mushrooms, grilled venison sausages with creamy polenta, or creamy corn soup with roasted peppers
Serving Temperature: 17°C | Drinking Window: Now–2030
Retail: $43.49 | Club: $34.79
Alexakis Kapiki
Alexakis Winery | 2022 | Kotsifali, Mandilari | Crete, Greece
Alexakis Winery is a family business founded by Stelios Alexakis and Sofia Alexaki in the 1970s. It is the largest privately-owned winery in Crete, collaborating for decades with all the vine-growers of the island. The winery has a strong focus on indigenous varietals — Greece claims over 300 indigenous grape varieties, with a winemaking history stretching back over 6,500 years.
Kotsifali is named after a blackbird that shows a fondness for this particular grape. It is usually blended with Mandilari and ripens fully in gravel soils at elevated sites. The resulting juice is full of ripe, juicy red fruits with notes of fresh herbs like thyme and bay leaf. Tannins are soft and ripe with moderate acidity.
Flavour Profile: Cherry, Plum, Licorice, Pepper, Herbs
Food Pairing: Moussaka, lamb kebabs with mint, and hearty beef stew
Serving Temperature: 16°C | Drinking Window: Now–2028
Retail: $25.99 | Club: $20.79
Pasico Monastrell-Shiraz
Gil Family Estate | 2023 | Monastrell, Shiraz | Jumilla, Spain
The Gil family celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2016, since great-grandfather Juan Gil Jiménez decided to leave his job as a stone cutter and make wine in Jumilla. The family has expanded across Spain with holdings of over 1,400 hectares and bottling over 8 million wines yearly, exporting to over 74 countries. The wine company is primarily run by Miguel and Ángel Gil, with nine other siblings holding stakes. They own and operate 12 different wineries across the country.
The family is known for producing wines that are ripe and full of red fruit with soft textures in an easy-to-drink style, while focusing on preserving their land for future generations through clean energy and indigenous seeds and vines.
Flavour Profile: Pepper, Currants, Blackberry, Chocolate, Coffee, Herbs
Food Pairing: Chorizo sausages, pecorino cheese, and black bean burgers with mushrooms
Serving Temperature: 18°C | Drinking Window: Now–2029
Retail: $19.99 | Club: $15.99
Dona Matilde Boavida
Dona Matilde | 2020 | Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Francisca, Tinto Cão | Douro Valley, Portugal
The “Quinta” has been single family owned and operated for over four generations. Located on the north bank of the Douro River near the Bagaúste dam, the Domaine has over 28 hectares of rocky schist, super steep terraced vineyards, all classified with the highest ranking “Letter A” by the Douro region register. The old vineyards are aged 60–80 years. The name “Boavida” translates to “The good life,” inspired by an English group’s guest book entry about their memorable visit.
This “field” blend is harvested by hand and placed in vats for open air maceration, then fermented in stainless steel. The wine is plump and bracing with red currants and floral notes, a fruity character that evolves with spicy mid-palate notes balanced with soft tannins.
Flavour Profile: Cranberry, Graphite, Jam, Licorice, Strawberry
Food Pairing: Octopus in red sauce with fresh herbs, grilled tuna, and roasted vegetables with fresh goat cheese
Serving Temperature: 16°C | Drinking Window: Now–2029
Retail: $28.99 | Club: $23.19
Château De Tourtes Bordeaux
Château De Tourtes | 2019 | Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon | Côtes De Bordeaux, France
Located in the Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux appellation in the village of Saint-Caprais-De-Blaye, this estate is part of Vignobles Raguenot, a family-owned wine company producing wines since 1967. The estate covers slightly over 70 hectares. The family business was begun by Lise and Philippe Raguenot, later taken over by their daughters Emmanuelle and Marie Pierre with their husbands — dubbed “the four Musketeers.”
They also own Château Haut Beyzac in the Haut Médoc appellation (acquired 1998). The company holds the highest level (Level 3) High Environmental Value (HEV) certification, based on biodiversity, phytosanitary strategy, fertilization management, and water resource management.
Flavour Profile: Black Currant, Olives, Plum, Tea, Leather
Food Pairing: Herbed rack of lamb, Brie and Saint Albray cheese, and beef stroganoff
Serving Temperature: 17°C | Drinking Window: Now–2032
Retail: $29.49 | Club: $23.59
Undurraga Vigno
Undurraga | 2019 | Carignan | Maule Valley, Chile
Undurraga is one of the oldest wine producing companies in Chile, situated in Talagante in the Maipo Valley. Founded in 1885, it has 1,700 hectares of vineyards distributed across the valleys of Maipo, Rapel, Leyda, and Maule. With over 135 years of experience, Undurraga was one of the founding pioneers of the Chilean wine industry. In 1903, Viña Undurraga became the very first Chilean winery to export wine to the United States.
Founded by Francisco Undurraga who brought vines from Germany and France — Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer. The winery now has over seven different lines, each representing a different example of what Chile can produce.
Flavour Profile: Herbs, Raspberry, Blueberry, Mint, Cherry
Food Pairing: Smoky beef brisket, grilled zucchini and risotto, and vegetarian lasagna
Serving Temperature: 16°C | Drinking Window: Now–2028
Retail: $45.49 | Club: $36.30
Montaria Red
Montaria | 2023 | Trincadeira, Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet | Alentejano, Portugal
Montaria is made by Parras Vinhos, founded in 2010 by Luís Vieira and headquartered in Alcobaca. Luís began the Parras wine project in 1998, starting off making bulk wine. He credits his family background — his father and grandfather were also bitten by the wine bug. In 1999, the company started working its own vineyard land in Vilar, in the region of Lisbon. The property has over 200 hectares in total with 120 planted to various traditional vine varieties.
In addition to the vineyards, the land houses the Palácio Dos Marqueses De Pombal, the Chapel of Santa Rita, a wine store, a distillery, and the cellar. Parras Wines are expanding their offerings across distinctive Portuguese appellations including the Douro Valley, Vinhos Verdes, Dão, Tejo, and Alentejo.
Flavour Profile: Chocolate, Blackberry, Pomegranate, Tea, Nutmeg/Clove
Food Pairing: Veal meatballs, lasagna, and BBQ vegetarian skewers
Serving Temperature: 15°C | Drinking Window: Now–2029
Retail: $22.49 | Club: $17.99