My recent trip through the Rhône was one of the most productive I can remember. I tasted with dozens of vintners, reconnected with many of our long-standing direct-import partners, and discovered several exciting new producers along the way. One of my favorite “finds” from this trip was the exceptional range from Laurent and Dominique Courbis.

On my last trip to the Rhône, the north yielded particularly fruitful new relationships. One of my favorite new additions to our Direct Import portfolio is Domaine du Chêne Vert. I first met co-owner Jordan Colin at a walkaround tasting just outside Tain-l’Hermitage, where the wines immediately caught my attention. Later that day, I visited the property and discovered that their production facility sits right next door to one of Crozes-Hermitage’s great icons—Alain Graillot.

Southern Rhône reds are the essence of summer flavor. One of my favorite wine categories overall, these bold-yet-balanced wines are tailor-made for outdoor gatherings and anything hot off the grill. There’s something magical about the way ripe, sun-drenched fruit meets savory spice—it pairs effortlessly with smoky, charred flavors.

I recently returned from two weeks in the Rhône Valley, and I am still playing catch up. There were so many things to digest along the way – new vintage assessments, strengthening our producer relationships, and finding new partner producers.