NV Sanctum Sticks + Bugs Piquette White

Region: Lipoglav < Lower Styria (Štajerska) < Slovenia Grapes: Chardonnay (mostly) Vineyard/Cellar Stats:  Organic farming; 4,000 vines/ha, 1.5 kg/vine; continental cool climate; marl, clay, sand soils; steep hills and valleys (45 degree slopes); no irrigation in vineyards; winemaking pomace is soaked in water for 1-2 weeks and pressed again; natural fermentation in bottle; 8% ABV Winemaker: Marko Podkubovšek In the mid-12th century, French Carthusian monks settled and planted the land with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in and around Štajerska, Slovenia. Today, Marko Podkubovšek and other family members produce a fun variety of wines with those same vines. The team is strongly committed to a low intervention process in the vineyards and in the cellar, resulting in terroir-driven wines for lots of different occasions. Their wines are a gentle reminder that Slovenia is still one of Europe’s hidden winegrowing gems.    'Sticks & Bugs' is Marko's piquette, which is a wine-like