When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
Wendell Berry, 1968
This beautiful poem, written in 1968, could not be more pertinent today. I have started this email more times than I care to admit and I have deleted every one. In an increasingly fraught world, it can be difficult to muster the correct amount of levity to compose something so comparatively frivolous as a wine release email. It is at these times that I turn to poetry and beauty for encouragement and solace. What comes from the poetry and the thought and self reflection that naturally go hand in hand is a reminder that wine, like poetry (or nature, or art, or many others) isn't such a frivolous pursuit. The right wine can be one of life's moments of beauty and peace. With that, I present to you a set of wines that are thoughtful, delicious and, maybe most importantly, they cut straight to the soul. I hope you find as much pleasure and comfort in them as I do.
2020 WeatherEye Vineyard Roussanne:
Sometimes, I just like to look at this wine in the glass. Beautifully unfiltered and pouring out like liquid gold from the skin contact, in the right light it is incredibly captivating. Complex, thoughtful, persistent and just sneakily pleasurable to drink, it really doesn't get much better. When I mentioned above that this set of releases cuts straight to the soul, look no further than this Roussanne. Unlike anything created in Washington (or anywhere?), it is an experience, and one that I think everyone should try. I don't know that I have ever been so besotted with a Devium release.
2020 French Creek Vineyard Mourvèdre "Sans Soufre":
Where to begin with the "Sans Soufre"? The original Devium "Wild Child" and a wine whose personality seems to evolve and intensify with each vintage. Wild, heartfelt, delicious and just a little edgy, I don't know what more you could ask for. Chill it slightly and drink it with abandon, or age your bottles and see how it matures, either way, you can't go wrong. This is the wine that I reach for when dinner is a difficult pairing, or when I just want to add a little more joy to the evening. I probably say this every vintage, but I am not sure the "Sans Soufre" has ever been better.
2019 WeatherEye Vineyard Red Wine:
Is there anymore to be said about WeatherEye that I haven't said before? Maybe just that it is a magical haven in the midst of the desert. It is vineyards like WeatherEye that continually give me hope for the future, conscientiously farmed with an eye towards preservation and stewardship, a visit to WeatherEye is always an experience. The vineyard has more Sagebrush, Rabbit Brush, Yarrow, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, native daisies, native grasses, and a whole host of other native plants growing than it does vines, and any conversation around WeatherEye isn't complete without discussing this incredible biodiversity. As I type this out, I realize what I disservice I am actually giving the vineyard as I haven't discussed aspect, slope, clonal selection, hand farming, the integrity of the vineyard partners, or the fact that they grow possibly the best fruit in Washington. This wine is north slope Graciano and Mourvèdre and is almost certainly more magical than my description of the site. A vineyard that is a pleasure to work with and a wine that is both a pleasure to make and to drink.
Our new tasting space at 1460 F St. at the Walla Walla airport will be open Friday-Saturday 11-4 from now through December 4th. Reservations are recommended, so please email or call me, again, keith@deviumwine.com, 541-310-0317 to let us know when you plan to come by. Also, please contact me either via phone, text or email if you have any questions, you need anything at all, or if you just want to chat about wine.
Thank you all so much for your continued interest and support, it is truly a pleasure to share these wines with you.
Take care,
Keith