Stars, Sips & Summer Vibes: American Wines for a Midwest Fourth

Stars, Sips & Summer Vibes: American Wines for a Midwest Fourth

 

This Independence Day, we’re raising a glass to American-made wines that bring brightness, balance, and a little bit of backyard flair to the party. For our friends in the Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana markets, we’ve curated a special lineup of bottles that speak to sunshine, smokey grills, and all things red, white, and rosé. From citrusy Albariño and crisp Sauvignon Blancs to textured orange wines and chillable Pinot, these homegrown selections are ready to elevate every picnic, patio, or porch gathering. Fire up the grill—your Fourth just got a little more flavorful.

 

WHITES

 

LIEU DIT SAUVIGNON BLANC ‘SANTA YNEZ VALLEY’ 2023

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This is California Sauvignon Blanc with a sense of place—sunny, stony, and refreshingly understated. Sourced from organically farmed sites in Santa Ynez, this wine is fermented with native yeast and aged in a mix of stainless steel and neutral oak to let the minerality and citrus-driven profile shine. The result? A glass that’s zippy, textured, and made for warm-weather sipping. Pair with grilled veggies, herby salads, or a breezy porch hang.

  • 100% Sauvignon Blanc
  • Sourced from McGinley Vineyard and Happy Canyon Vineyard in Santa Ynez Valley AVA
  • Clay, yellow/red chert, serpentine rocks / sandy loam, cobbles, high mineral levels
  • 300-800 ft elevation
  • Farmed sustainably and organically
  • Fermented in tank and barrel with native yeast
  • Aged in Neutral barrel and stainless-steel tanks

Founded in 2011 by Justin Willett and a close companion, Lieu Dit is a Santa Barbara winery dedicated to exploring the art of winemaking through the lens of French-inspired varietals. With a focus on grape varieties indigenous to the Loire Valley, Lieu Dit primarily produces Sauvignon Blanc, alongside limited editions of Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Rosé, with an annual output of around 2,500 cases. Committed to ideals of purity, elegance, and balance, Justin Willett’s passion for winemaking is further demonstrated through his work at Tyler Winery and as a consulting winemaker at Wenzlau Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills. 

 

 

STOLPMAN SAUVIGNON BLANC ‘UNFILTERED’ 2024

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From own-rooted vines grown on limestone soils in Ballard Canyon, this certified organic and biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc brings serious purity to the table. Aged in large-format neutral puncheons for added texture, it’s bottled unfiltered to preserve every bit of natural energy and complexity. Think lemon verbena, sea spray, and crunchy green apple—all with a savory, saline edge. It’s a brilliant bottle for goat cheese, oysters, or even fried chicken on a hot day.

  • CCOF Organic Certified & Demeter Biodynamic Certified
  • 100% Sauvignon Blanc
  • Sourced from Stolpman Estate Vineyard (Ballard Canyon AVA)
  • Block 5, own-rooted vines
  • Limestone soils
  • Direct Press prior to fermentation
  • Native yeast fermentation in 80% Neutral 500L Puncheon, 20% Stainless Steel
  • Aged 3 months in 500L neutral French vache forest Ermitage puncheons
  • 1,260 cases produced
  • 12.5% abv

Stolpman Vineyards began over 20 years ago, when proprietors Tom and Marilyn Stolpman discovered the limestone rich soils of Ballard Canyon, about an hour north from Santa Barbara in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. The Stolpmans played a pivotal role in establishing the Ballard Canyon AVA. 

 

 

 

 

RAVINES RIESLING ‘DRY’ 2022

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Dry Riesling lovers, take note: this Finger Lakes gem brings Old World finesse to New York terroir. Sourced from two vineyard sites on opposite sides of Seneca Lake, it layers crisp orchard fruit and citrus with the electric minerality of limestone and shale. After a slow, cool fermentation and six months on the lees, the wine shows texture, precision, and a whisper of residual sugar (just 3 g/L) to keep things juicy. It’s your answer to spicy BBQ, pulled pork, or anything that needs a crisp counterpoint.

  • Practicing Sustainable
  • 100% Riesling
  • Finger Lakes AVA
  • 71% sourced from White Springs Vineyard on the Northwest side of Seneca Lake
  • 29% sourced from 16 Falls Vineyard on the Eastern side of Seneca Lake
  • Honeoye loam over limestone at White Springs Vineyard
  • Clay/loam over shale stone soils at 16 Falls Vineyard
  • Average 21-year-old vines
  • Hand-harvested
  • Whole cluster pressed
  • Fermented at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks
  • Sur lies for 6 months
  • 12.7% abv
  • 3 g/L R.S.

Ravines is a family-owned winery that helped redefine quality winemaking in New York’s Finger Lakes. Founded by Danish-born winemaker Morten Hallgren and his wife Lisa in 2000, Ravines brings Old World precision to the cool-climate terroir of Seneca Lake. Morten’s background—from Provence to Bordeaux to New York—shapes the winery’s restrained, elegant style, with a focus on Dry Riesling, Pinot Noir, and other cool-climate varietals. With over two decades of acclaim, Ravines produces wines known for their vibrancy, minerality, and a true sense of place. 

 

 

 

 

CARBONISTE ALBARIÑO EXTA BRUT ‘GOMES VYD’ 2023

Stars, Sips & Summer Vibes: American Wines for a Midwest Fourth 4    

This is Albariño like you’ve never seen it—bubbly, bone-dry, and topped with a crown cap. Carboniste reimagines the traditional Spanish variety through a sparkling California lens, using bottle fermentation to create a fresh, zesty wine with just the right amount of fizz. With bright citrus, green melon, and mouthwatering acidity, it’s the ultimate cooler wine for a steamy Midwest summer day. Pop it open with sushi, shellfish, or straight-up potato chips.

  • 100% Albariño
  • Sourced from the Gomes Vineyard
  • Whole cluster pressed and settled for 2 days
  • Fermented in tank with native yeast for 3 weeks
  • No malolactic fermentation
  • Secondary fermentation in bottle for 2 months
  • Disgorged and topped with light dosage and crown cap
  • 12% abv

Carboniste, founded by husband-and-wife team Dan and Jacqueline Person, is a modern Californian sparkling wine producer focused on showcasing the vibrant character of California’s fruit. With experience at Schramsberg and Larkmead, Dan, along with Jacqueline, consulted for Naked Wines, crafts sparkling wines like Albariño, Extra Brut Pinot Noir Rosé, and Pét-Nat Pinot Grigio. Rather than following traditional French methods, CARBONISTE adapts its winemaking techniques to highlight the fresh, fruity flavors of each varietal. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROSÉS & ORANGE WINES

 

BIELER FAMILY SKIN CONTACT ORANGE ‘HAZY DAISY’ 2023

Stars, Sips & Summer Vibes: American Wines for a Midwest Fourth 5

 

 

 

If you’re orange wine curious, start here. Hazy Daisy is a skin-contact blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris—lightly funky, floral, and totally summer-ready. It sees over a month of skin contact for subtle tannin and texture, then ages in a mix of old oak and stainless steel. The result is a hazy, peach-hued stunner with notes of orange blossom, dried apricot, and citrus peel. Chill it down and serve with grilled corn, spiced wings, or your favorite picnic fare.

  • Sustainably farmed
  • Sourced from Golden West Vineyards (Columbia Valley, Washington) and Sunset, Homestead, and Art de Hoed Vineyards (Yakima Valley)
  • 58.3% Chardonnay, 14.6% Viognier, 13.6% Sauvignon Blanc, 13.6% Pinot Gris
  • 85% de-stemmed, 15% whole cluster
  • Native yeast fermentation
  • 35 total days of skin contact
  • 50% aged in old oak barrels, 50% in stainless steel tank
  • Lightly fined and filtered for a hazy hue
  • 12.8% abv

Bieler Family Wines celebrates the rugged beauty and potential of Washington State’s vineyards. With a meticulous, boots-in-the-vineyard approach, they source the best blocks and co-ferment varieties to create seamless, expressive blends. Every bottle is a reflection of integrity, intention, and a deep respect for the land—because the Bielers believe the hard way is the right way. 

 

TURLEY ROSE ‘NAPA VALLEY’ 2024

Stars, Sips & Summer Vibes: American Wines for a Midwest Fourth 6

 

 

Originally dreamed up by Christina Turley during her days as a New York somm, this rosé channels Provençal elegance with California fruit. Made entirely with native yeasts and aged in used French oak, it’s a dry, savory pink wine with plenty of structure and finesse. Notes of wild strawberries, grapefruit zest, and a hint of herb make it ultra-versatile. Whether you’re poolside, fireside, or tableside, it’s the kind of rosé that keeps the party going.

  • AVA: California
  • 100% Native yeast
  • 100% used French oak
  • 7 months in barrel
  • Bottled unfined
  • First Turley Vintage: 2011
  • Alcohol: 12.5%

    This Provençal-style reimagining of California’s infamous rosé wine was conceived of by Larry’s eldest daughter, Christina, while she was still working as a sommelière in New York City; she credits that wine’s success as the impetus behind her landing on both Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list as well as Wine Enthusiast’s “40 under 40.” But this bright, crisp rosé can be enjoyed by anyone at any age—as long as they’re over 21, of course!

Turley Wine Cellars was founded in Napa Valley by Larry Turley in 1993. Because Larry has never met an old vine vineyard he didn’t like, Turley now makes 50 separate wines from 50 different vineyards, some with vines that date back to the mid-1800s. Often weak and low yielding, these old vine vineyards require extra care and attention to harvest fruit that reflects their aged glory. All of the vineyards are either certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers or somewhere in the process. Only natural yeasts are used in the fermentations. 

 

REDS

 

SANDHI PINOT NOIR ‘STA. RITA HILLS’ 2022

Stars, Sips & Summer Vibes: American Wines for a Midwest Fourth 7

 

From wind-swept vineyards just miles from the Pacific, Sandhi’s Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir is a study in coastal restraint. Organically farmed fruit is fermented with indigenous yeast and aged in neutral oak, preserving the grape’s natural brightness and aromatics. Expect red berries, crushed herbs, and a touch of earthiness, wrapped in fine tannins and mouthwatering acidity. It’s a bottle that proves power isn’t always about weight—it’s about balance.

  • Practicing Organic
  • 100% Pinot Noir
  • 70% Domaine de la Côte Vineyards, 30% William Hines & Family Vineyard, Rancho La Vina and Patterson Vineyard (Sta. Rita Hills AVA)
  • Hand-harvested
  • Indigenous yeast fermentation
  • 50% Whole Cluster
  • Fermented in open top concrete tanks
  • Aged 9 months in neutral French oak barrels
  • 3,289 cases produced
  • 13.5% ABV

Sandhi was founded in 2010 by sommelier Rajat Parr and winemaker Sashi Moorman to explore the cool-climate vineyards of the Sta. Rita Hills. The winery focuses on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir made with precision, restraint, and a deep respect for site. By partnering with some of the most compelling vineyard sites in Santa Barbara County, Sandhi produces wines defined by minerality, balance, and freshness—eschewing over-extraction and heavy oak. It’s a study in how harmony between land, vine, and vintner can yield wines of true grace.

 

 

 

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