Dynamic Domestic Wines: New Discoveries and Inspiration
Ryan Woodhouse, K&L Domestic Wine Buyer
The endless diversity and discovery of domestic wine are on full display in today’s buying guide. Leading the way is the vintage that almost wasn’t but has become one of our absolute favorites: 2022 in Oregon. We’ve also consulted our domestic wine experts in each store to share their favorite picks. Next, we highlight STiRM, showcasing stunning expressions of a minimalist approach at remarkable prices. We’re also ready to take non-alcoholic wines seriously, as evidenced by the offerings from Kally. Rounding out the guide is a review of our most exciting Insider's Advantage opportunities, featuring some of the fine wine market's best deals in the domestic category.
Oregon's Brilliant 2022 Vintage
Current Faves from Our Domestic Wine Team
Minimal Intervention, Maximum Value
Getting Serious About Non-Alcoholic Wines
Unmatched Value from K&Ls Insider Finds
Oregon’s Brilliant 2022 Vintage: The Harvest That Almost Wasn’t!
The wines from the 2022 season are fantastic across the board. Their fruit profiles are pure, expressive, rich, and vibrant, with plenty of freshness and definition. These wines are easy to love—supremely accessible, flavorful, and energetic. We're thrilled to offer such an impressive array of 2022 wines in stock right now. Below is a list of some of the very best wines from this vintage, allowing you to enjoy the wonderful bounty of the season that almost wasn’t! Click here to read more about this rollercoaster vintage and its brilliant wines.
2022 Arterberry Maresh "Maresh Vineyard" Dundee Hills Chardonnay 98 $79.95 View
2022 Cristom "Louise Vineyard" Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay 97 $54.95 View
2022 Hundred Suns "Old Eight Cut" Willamette Valley Chardonnay 95 $32.95 View
2022 Walter Scott "Koosah Vineyard" Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay 97 $79.95 View
2022 Walter Scott "La Combe Verte" Willamette Valley Chardonnay 94 $34.95 View
2022Arterberry Maresh Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 96 $29.95 View
2022 Brick House "Select" Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir (Biodynamic) 95 $39.95 View
2022 Cristom "Jessie Vineyard" Eola-Amity Pinot Noir 96 $79.95 View
2022 Cristom "Marjorie Vineyard" Eola-Amity Pinot Noir 97 $79.95 View
2022 Cristom "Mt. Jefferson Cuvée" Eola-Amity Pinot Noir 95 $39.95 View
2022 Evesham Wood Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 95 $29.95 View
2022 Hundred Suns "Old Eight Cut" Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 94 $32.95 View
2022 Ken Wright "Shea Vineyard" Yamhil-Carlton Pinot Noir 97 $64.95 View
2022 Lavinea Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 94 $36.95 View
2022 Love & Squalor Willamette Valley Gamay Noir 95 $26.95 View
2022 Purple Hands "Freedom Hill Vineyard" Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 97 $54.95 View
2022 Purple Hands "Haakon / Lenai Vineyard" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 98 $54.95 View
2022 Purple Hands "Shea Vineyard" Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 96 $54.95 View
2022 Roserock (Drouhin) "Zéphirine" Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 97 $64.95 View
2022 Walter Scott "Cuvée Ruth" Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 95 $49.95 View
2022 Walter Scott "La Combe Verte" Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 94 $34.95 View
2022 Walter Scott "Sojeau Vineyard" Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 95 $79.95 View
Our Domestic Wine Experts Weigh In on Current Faves
Nothing we do at K&L happens without our amazing team. As much as our talented buyers shape the stories we tell at K&L about our wines and spirits, it is our team members that make them come to life, sharing their enthusiasm and genuine excitement about the hundreds of products on our shelves. Click here to read more about hand-picked favorites from Scott Beckerley (SF), Alexandre Tweedie (RC), and Carlo Delgado (CC).
Scott Bekerley (San Francisco)
On Wednesday, September 10th, I had the opportunity to taste a couple of dozen newly released wines with Ryan Woodhouse, our Domestic Buyer here at K&L. I’ve always appreciated his palate and taste in wine because it is eclectic; he tends to favor the unusual and champions releases from small family wineries. Here are three of my favorites from that day, including a pure and extremely tasty Rhône blend, a small-production Cabernet, and a simply stunning dessert wine from Arbe Garbe.
2019 Big Basin Vineyards "GSM - Gabilan Mountains" Monterey Rhône Blend (Elsewhere $40) 95 $29.95 View
2021 Patria "Oakville Ranch" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 97 $119.95 View
2022 Arbe Garbe "Catie's Corner Vineyard" Russian River Valley Malvasia Dessert Wine (375ml)$29.95 View
Alexandre Tweedie (Redwood City)
Dan Petroski's releases are wines of pure and unrestrained freshness—Italian tradition infused with California sunshine. Bright, zippy notes of white flower blossom and blood orange greet the nose, while the palate reveals delicate yet deeply fruited flavors of ginger-zested peach skins and passion fruit, complemented by splashes of salted pomelo. When the right secrets and the proper grapes come together, truly singular wines begin to take shape—that’s the inimitable story of Massican.
2022 Massican "Vino Bianco" California White Blend (Elsewhere $28) $19.99 View
2023 Massican California Pinot Grigio 94 $24.95 View
2023 Massican "Annia" Napa Valley White Blend 93 $29.95 View
2023 Massican "Gemina" California White Blend 96 $29.95 View
Carlo Delgado (Culver City)
During my recent visit to Oregon Pinot Camp, I discovered how distinctive and underappreciated the wines of Oregon truly are. I’ve selected three outstanding value-driven Pinot Noirs, each hailing from a particular sub-appellation in the Willamette Valley. Leading the way is one of the best values I've seen in Pinot Noir in Norris' Ribbon Ridge Pinot. Next is a McMinnville gem from Project M. And last is one of my favorites from Willamette—Arterberry Maresh.
2022 Norris "Landscape - Norris McKinley Vineyard" Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $45) $14.95 View
2022 PROJECT M "Personify" Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $40) 93 $24.95 View
2022 Arterberry Maresh Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 96 $29.95 View
STiRM: Minimal Intervention, Maximum Value
Wines that offer great value are a key focus for me when making buying decisions at K&L. While some folks’ definition of value may differ from ours, not all great wines can necessarily be inexpensive. However, there’s something so satisfying about finding a wine that is simply delicious at a great price. Even better (at least in our opinion) is when that delightful wine comes from a small artisanal producer who handcrafts wines from interesting vineyards in a non-interventionist style, showcasing a strong sense of place and authentic purity. This is exactly what we find in the wines of Ryan Stirm. Click here to read more about the wines and a recent visit with our team.
2023 STiRM "Calcite" Cienega Valley White Blend $16.95 View
2019 STiRM "Wirz Vineyard" Cienega Valley Old Vine Riesling $19.95 View
2022 STiRM "Gimelli Vineyard" Cienega Valley Chardonnay $19.95 View
2023 STiRM "Neptunite" San Benito County Rosé $16.95 View
2023 STiRM "Joaquinite - Gimelli Vineyard" Cienega Valley Pinot Noir $19.95 View
Kally: Taking Non Alcoholic “Wines” to the Next Level
The non-alcoholic category continues to grow across the industry as people seek alternatives to traditional wines. Although these products represent only a small fraction of what we do here at K&L, we believe it’s important to offer a well-curated selection, just like any other category we carry. Whether for medical or health reasons, religious observances, or simply to provide a fun option for the designated driver, we’re always looking for something that fills this niche while meeting the quality standards we demand for all the wines on our shelves or website. This is what we found in Kally—click here to read more.
Kally "Early Chardonnay" Non-Alcoholic Wine $29.95 View
Kally "Verjus Sparkler" Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine $29.95 View
Kally "Golden Sparkler" Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine $29.95 View
Kally "Rosé Sparkler" Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine $29.95 View
Kally "Early Cabernet" Non-Alcoholic Wine $29.95 View
Our Top Insider's Picks: One-Time Pricing and Incredible Value
It’s a great time to score a deal in the wine business. With an oversupply resulting from several back-to-back, high-quality vintages, many wineries are motivated to sell previous vintage bottlings to make way for the new 2023 and 2024 wines coming down the pipeline. We work tirelessly with our long-standing partners in the industry to find the very best deals and bring them directly to you! Our special Insider's Advantage mailing list is packed with incredible offers, often at prices too low to display online. Here are a few deeply discounted wines we have in stock, many at over 50% off! Don’t delay—these offers are typically one-offs and sell out quickly.
2019 Gary Farrell "La Riconada Vineyard" Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay (Previously $55) $19.95 View
2022 Ernest Sonoma Coast Chardonnay (Elsewhere $35) 95 $19.95 View
2022 Ernest Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $35) 95 $19.95 View
2016 Amapola Creek "Cuvée Alis" Sonoma Valley Rhône Blend (Elsewhere $46) 93 $19.95 View
2021 Rocky Pond "11 Dams - DD Vineyard" Columbia Valley Red Blend (Elsewhere $45) 92 $19.95 View
2018 Gramercy Walla Walla Valley Syrah (Elsewhere $40) 93 $19.95 View
2021 PROJECT M "Momtazi Vineyard" McMinnville Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $60) 93 $24.95 View
2019 Vinoce St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $60) $29.99 View
2018 Calera "Ryan" Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir (Elsewhere $75) 94 $49.95 View
2019 Jonata "Todos" Ballard Canyon Red Blend 97 $49.95 View
2015 Castellucci Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $200) $49.95 View