We all want great wines at great prices. It would be better if they were not commercially mass-produced factory wines but rather wines made by real people with high ratings with consistent inventories. This may be a very high ask when you consider the realities of the marketplace. Imagine trying to satisfy fifty separate markets, all with their own distribution laws and quirks with flow inventory to all the distributor's warehouses. Not to mention inspiring the thousands of local salesmen to go out and promote the wine. The whole process is utterly exhausting, not to mention expensive. It is no wonder many wineries would rather be a small production operation selling only out of their tasting room and direct mail orders. Fewer headaches, more profit per bottle sold. That's why the story of Banshee wines is such a great story.

Banshee Wines was born in 2009 at a bar in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. Baron Ziegler and two other renegades in the wine business came together to write a greater story than themselves. With $60,000 borrowed from friends and family, they launched Banshee Wines with eight barrels of coveted Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, which sold out almost immediately upon release. The initial intent was to make wines that tasted like the best California had to offer but were priced so everyone could enjoy them. They gained a significant following - primarily among younger customers - with a premium pinot noir priced well below other competitors. And they had the hippest tasting room in Healdsburg, with a Generation X-inspired lounge complete with a record player for vinyl albums and worn leather sofas for guests to relax. They operated what is known as a "virtual winery," purchasing grapes on contract from Sonoma County growers and using custom crush facilities for their winemaking. Becoming more and more popular, Banshee showed 20% annual growth, to the point in 2017 it produced 50,000 cases. Baron Ziegler and his partners were at a crossroads. Go big or go small.

Ziegler faced two options: bump up the price of Banshee from $25 to $40 a bottle and reduce production, leveling off growth to make it more manageable, or bring in a bigger winery to provide the resources that he and his partners lacked. The wine industry is notorious for larger vintners taking over smaller beloved producers and then churning out more growth, a life cycle that typically ends with the brand becoming a shell of its former self. Banshee was stuck between a rock and a hard place, like many start-up wines, with no vineyards or winery but great wine at a great price. Stay small but raise prices to be profitable, or partner with a large wine distributor to keep prices reasonable but suck the soul out of the wine brand. Owner Baron Ziegler found a way forward for Banshee wine that maintained its integrity and created national distribution. Along came Hugh Reimers of Foley Wine Company.

Hugh, who recently came over from Jackson Family Winery, was given a mandate by Foley to increase their portfolio of quality family wineries. Foley is a family of 24 wineries on four continents. What Hugh offered was a deal that was good for both parties. Foley bought a controlling interest; in return, Zeigler kept his winemaking team and Banshee's tasting room and staff. "The idea is we can still have creative control on a lot of this stuff. We can still be very involved in the winemaking," he said. Foley also realized that Ziegler was integral to Banshee's success. They believe he could help steer the winery as chief executive officer to even greater growth with Foley's resources behind it. Some of the advantages that Foley brought were a 20% reduction in the cost of bottles, a 170-person sales force across the country calling on distributors, the ability to source from Foley's vineyards and use their winemaking facilities. To Ziegler and his staff, this was like being a kid in a candy store, to have control of the end product, keep the quality up, keep the price down, and distribute their wine coast to coast. Today the Banshee Wines' mission remains the same as it was in their early days – to craft distinctive wines that over-deliver in every possible way.

We recently were honored to have Alicia Sylvester, head winemaker at Banshee Wines, speak to a tasting group here in Sturbridge. Although Pinot Noir brought Banshee wines to the limelight during those Pinot crazy days in 2008, they are also passionate about the other wines in their portfolio. The second bestselling wine featured that night was their Sauvignon Blanc, outselling their Chardonnay over 3 to 1. A great tasting Sauvignon Blanc wine, sourced from top Sonoma Coast vineyards which they add a little Muscat Canelli to the blend, offering up more body and zest. I can see why this wine was such a hit.

Our vineyard selection for the Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc has continued to improve over the years. We sourced from five different vineyards for this vintage and the final blend is bright, refreshing and lively with acidity.

The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc opens with a fragrant nose of kiwi-lime, apple, honeydew melon and white peach, with a touch of vanilla brioche. Bright acidity and juicy green apple flavors are coupled with lemon-lime and ginger root in this refreshing wine.

Blend: 96% Sauvignon Blanc, 3% Muscat Canelli, 1% Muscato Gallo

Intricate herbs and spices accompany concentrated fruit flavors in this well-balanced and well-built wine. High notes of minerals and thyme meet savory and citrus flavors backed by lively acidity. Wine Enthusiast 91 pts

Vibrant and distinctive, with fresh lemon, lime and pear flavors marked by lemongrass and fresh-clipped mint. Features notes of fresh ginger and dried pineapple, while a hint of honeysuckle lingers. Wine Spectator 91pts

Banshee Sauvignon Blanc 2022

I gathered up a tasting group to try the Banshee wine. As it turned out, I didn't need to twist any arms since both Dena and Tim went to lunch with winemaker Alicia Sylvester, and they couldn't stop talking about her and her wines. And in tasting her wine, I must admit, she is pretty good. With her Sauvignon Blanc, you are greeted with aromas of citrus and melon. The first thing you notice in the mouth is a wine of great weight, lush but not lazy: ripe peach, honeydew melon, lime, mineral, and wet stone. Acids were there with no sharp edges. A long dry limoncello finish. This is such an inviting wine that you will go back to the glass, after glass, after glass. This wine is meant for sharing on a porch, beach, or picnic bench.

Regular Price: $18.99

*Sale Price is on 12 or more bottle purchase

$24 Mail-in-Rebate on 12 bottles

Final Cost after rebate is $11 a bottle

Limit one rebate per household

Wine is packed in a 12-bottle case

*Wine pricing for these wine promotions are held for two weeks after the email offer.

We can hold wines in unpaid reserves for two weeks to allow you time to pick up your wine. If it takes you longer than that to pick up your wines, give us a call, and we can process your wine and move it to paid reserves.

Place your order now with the store contacts above, while you've got all the information at your fingertips.

Cheers!

John Hannum,

Fine & Rare Wine Specialist

Attleboro

628 Washington St.

Norwood

942 Providence Hgwy.

Sturbridge

376 Main Street.

Swansea

207 Swansea Mall Dr.

Monday-Saturday

9AM to 9PM