July 2026 Wine Club
Starting The Month Off With A Bang And A Chilled Glass of Wine
July can be a loud. Fireworks, family cookouts, sporting events, the whole spectacle. This year, with the country celebrating 250 years, I won’t lie and say I am suddenly moved to a show of patriotism. Though I will admit to an increased enthusiasm for hot dogs. What this anniversary does do, especially in a year when people are traveling here from every corner of the world in the name of soccer, is hand us a rare kind of mirror. You get to see your own backyard through someone else's eyes. It can be clarifying.
Wine is one of the places where I feel that most directly. Every bottle we bring into Wilder is the result of someone, somewhere tending to something with enormous care and sending it out into the world in the hope that it lands somewhere where it is appreciated. This month's lineup is a reflection of that. A German estate, Gunderloch, leaning hard into a new generation of thinking. A California winemaker, No Love Lost, challenging everything Napa is supposed to be. And for Cork Dorks, a small organic operation in the Veneto called Terre dei Buth, that basically just wants you to enjoy your summer. That is something we can fully support.
1) GUNDERLOCH FRITZ'S DRY ROSÉ 2025, RHEINHESSEN, GERMANY
WINE: ROSÉ // GRAPES: PORTUGIESER, PINOT MEUNIER // CLUB: VIN DE SOIF & CORK DORK
About the Producer: Gunderloch is one of the Rheinhessen's most storied estates, founded over 130 years ago and now in the energetic hands of Johannes Hasselbach, who took over in 2016. Johannes is genuinely rethinking everything. He's gone organic, switched to native yeast fermentations, introduced more skin contact and barrel work, and is actively pushing toward lower-intervention, more mineral-driven wines.
About the Wine: Named in honor of Johannes's father Fritz, this dry rosé is a pale, light, and drinks exactly like a July afternoon wine should. It's 85% Portugieser and 15% Pinot Meunier, made with a touch in stainless steel. Think strawberry and apricot on the nose, a clean, dry palate with just enough fruit to keep things interesting. At an easy at 12.5% ABV, this is the bottle you open when the grill is already going.
2) NO LOVE LOST CHENIN BLANC 2023, LODI, CALIFORNIA
WINE: WHITE // GRAPES: CHENIN BLANC // CLUB: VIN DE SOIF & CORK DORK
About the Producer: No Love Lost was born as a direct challenge to the idea that Napa wine has to mean expensive and exclusive. Winemaker Jay Nunez works with family-owned, organically farmed vineyards and takes a minimal-intervention approach, indigenous yeast fermentation, no fining or filtering, vegan-friendly, carbon-conscious packaging. The tasting room in downtown Napa is described as "a home base for anyone who loves good wine without the pretense." That energy shows up in every bottle.
About the Wine: This Chenin Blanc comes from a 20-year-old west Lodi vineyard where rich alluvial soils push the vines to work, and careful canopy management keeps the fruit focused. Whole-cluster pressed and barrel-fermented in neutral Loire Valley French oak, the best of both worlds. It has your classic green apple Jolly Rancher, fresh pear, and lemon zest on the nose, with a clean stony finish. It's refreshing without being boring, the kind of Chenin that makes you wonder why you don't drink more Chenin.
3) TERRE DEI BUTH FRIZZANTE ROSÉ, TREVISO, VENETO, ITALY
WINE: SPARKLING ROSÉ // GRAPES: GLERA, RABOSO // CLUB: CORK DORK ONLY
About the Producer: Terre dei Buth is an organic, family-run estate tucked into the Treviso area of the Veneto, not far from Prosecco country. Their philosophy is refreshingly unserious about itself: "Sometimes you don't need a sommelier, just a glass of good wine." They farm organically, make honest wines, and seem to genuinely believe that good wine should be simple and joyful. Winemaker Paolo Marion says he made this wine to open your heart. We believe he should be protected at all costs.
About the Wine: A lightly sparkling rosé made from Glera (the Prosecco grape) and Raboso, a local red variety that brings the color and the character. Bright pink with gentle bubbles, it opens with summer fruit aromatics (think strawberry and raspberry) and drinks like a lively backyard party with no humidity. It's low in alcohol at 10.5%, which makes it easy to enjoy in the afternoon sunshine, on the river or otherwise. Serve it cold, with a snack, maybe to someone who says they don't really drink wine. It's earned multiple international medals and it will earn your love this summer.
Not a Cork Dork yet? Upgrade your membership for ~$20/month and this bottle is yours going forward.
