Beverage of the Week (BOW)

Product Story

The 2024 vintage represents our fifth look at Druid’s Red, but in reality, it’s the second vintage of the new Druid’s Trio executed to their vision. Druid’s Red is made with classic grapes found in the Rhône and Southwest France — this wine has the character of a generous Côtes du Rhône. The 2024 Druid’s Red is made with a blend of 30% Syrah, 27% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 19% Mourvèdre, and 4% Carignan from the estate vineyard. The grapes are grown with the intention of blending to create a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. The harvest occurred between mid-September and early October. Each varietal and clone ripens at its own pace. The staggered schedule allowed Troon to co-ferment several of these varieties, resulting in additional complexity and nuance in the wine. As with all wines from Troon, no additives, acid or sugar adjustments, enzymes, or sulfur additions are used at crush. The primary fermentation occurs with the assistance of native yeasts. The wine is handled gently with just one punch-down or foot-trod daily. After fermentation, the wine was transferred to neutral French oak and concrete fermenters (25%) and minimally handled before bottling. We absolutely love it and so will you.

Brand Story

Troon Vineyard started quietly over four decades ago when Dick Troon planted vineyards in Southern Oregon. He sold grapes to local wineries but soon realized the best business decision was to make his own wines. He converted his barn into a winery and slowly built the brand until he sold it to his friend, Larry Martin, in 2003. Today, Troon Vineyard is owned by Dr. Bryan White and Denise White. The Whites, along with Craig Camp, general manager, and winemaker Nate Wall, lead the innovative wine-making efforts at Troon. Nate has extensive winemaking experience in the Willamette Valley and brings a nuanced, almost Pinot Noir approach to winemaking. Craig is a wine industry veteran with a sharp palate, encyclopedic knowledge of the wines of the world, and relentless energy. He was recently awarded Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Environmental Advocate of the Year. Troon offers a wonderfully diverse selection of varietal wines and blends, ranging from Malbec to Grenache and Vermentino, to name just a few. Beginning with the 2018 vintage, the fruit used by Troon was 100% organically and biodynamically farmed. All Troon wines were crushed by foot, fermented with only native yeasts with no additives of any kind. If you are seeking unique wines with style and gusto, you need to get acquainted with Troon Vineyard.