Lares 'Chimera' Pet Nat 2021

The vibe: The label asks “we good?” Yes, yes we are very good. This is a friggin’ fruit salad of a pét nat with apples and grapes oh my! Lares is a form of creative exploration for winemakers Meredith Bell and Luke Wylde. With the main winery, Statera Cellars, focused on making honest and elegant Willamette Valley Chardonnays, this little label lends a space to lean on what they’ve learned over the years and to explore new pathways and make wine in their own way. And this wine is certainly that. Not only is it made with grapes they don’t typically work with, it’s a co-ferment style, meaning multiple varietals and fruit fermented together, then bottled as a pét nat. That’s pretty wild even for the Willamette. And honestly, all things considered I’m not even sure it’s that funky! It’s just so drinkable. The apples lend some lifting acidity and green crunchiness, but they don’t take center stage. Rather, this drinks almost like a prosecco or sparkling dry Riesling. And it just so happens to look like Gatorade. It is wild. It is fun. And it is unique AF.

The winemaker: Statera Cellars is owned and operated by two friends, Meredith Bell and Luke Wylde. They are the first winery in the Willamette to exclusively make Chardonnay – they love the grape and have a mission to showcase its potential and diversity. Using traditional winemaking practices results in wines that are compelling and alive. Lares is a small label focused on working with grapes outside of Chardonnay and creating even more honest and eclectic cuvées.

The geeky details: 50% Pinot Gris, 40% Apples, 10% Riesling. Hand-picked, native yeast fermentation. Unfined and unfiltered fruit wine.

Serve: Cold!

Food pairing: Cheeese. I’m thinking Camembert. Or stinky blue or brie, which the lifting acidity and fruitiness will compliment.

Album pairing: Reuben Vaun Smith – Da Cuckoo YaYa