Rose Season Is Upon Us - Horse and Plow's Newest Rose Featured in Chronicle

Roses in the Chronicle's recent tasting

Memorial Day weekend is the beginning of summer (at least in some places) and so it's official for people who need permission: it's time to drink rose!

This week the Chronicle featured top roses of the season and listed one of my perennial favorites, although it changes each year: Horse and Plow's North Coast Rose ($17 a bottle).

I had a chance to visit with winemakers Suzanne Haggins and Chris Condo at their Sebastopol home recently (the location will soon be home to their tasting room as well - in a few years time) and will feature more about that visit later. Their Horse and Plow wines consistently pair fine wine making with affordable prices - a rarity! Thus, they are frequently among my favorites.

This wine is sourced from one of my favorite organic, heritage, dry farmed vineyards - Testa in Calpella (near Ukiah in Mendocino County) from a blend of 68% Carignane, 16% Syrah, and 16% Grenache.

Horse and Plow's previous rose won a top 100 wine listing from the Chronicle's annual awards, so it's a pleasure to see what the new vintage is like, since it's a wine that changes from vintage to vintage (but is always made solely from organically grown [and certified] grapes).

To purchase, contact the winery or order online here. This wine will sell out - not much is made - only 325 cases - so time is of the essence.