TLDR: An informal affair at Andiamo Pizzeria in Lakeview from 6:30-8:30.
I’m a big fan of @Adam_Frisch’s wines and he’s graciously offered to send some samples in advance of his November release. I’ll let him chime in about the wines in a reply.
I’d love to set up a gathering of interested WBers in Chicago on November 12th to taste the samples and some wines from his portfolio. All you need to bring is yourselves and a contribution to the cost of wine (and depending on the spot, your universal glass). I’ll do the legwork coordinating the locale, wine, and scheduling. I’d love to have a rough headcount by November 4th, so I can size the order.
Never had his wines? You’re invited. Long time buyer? You’re invited too!
Plan is to send a few bottle ahead of the 1st Nov fall release. Some will not yet have final label, as per usual, I’m last minute with those. I’m thinking sending these 3 new releases (and a little bit of backstory about each):
2023 BIOGRAF Syrah, The Bench vineyard. This is the new Syrah in the Rhone-specifc BIOGRAF series where I highlight many Syrah from all over CA. This vineyard, The Bench in Clements Hills is an organic vineyard that has provided fruit to Pax’s The Bench Syrah as well. In fact, it was Pax’s wine that made me seek this vineyard out as I loved it so much (one of his best)! Now, his and mine are quite different, mine is a little bigger and fuller than his, but the quality of this vineyard is for everyone to taste. 100% whole cluster as well. RRP: $35
2023 “Inedal” Zinfandel, Jacob’s Two Acres vineyard. This vineyard in Lodi I farm myself. Planted in the 60’s, own-rooted, head trained old vines. Minimally irrigated as it doesn’t really have an irrigation system at all, which makes for concentrated flavors. I did full stem inclusion fermentation on this, so it has a lot of herbal, vibrant undertones and a little more tannic structure to complement the fruit of Zin. Love this wine and it is one that will also age very well. RRP: $32
2023 “Milk Fed 11” Pinot Noir, YF2 vineyard. This will be a long one, but bear with me: I never aimed to make a Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara. In fact, I did not want to fight with all the excellent producers that do so in this state, especially from that cold region.
However, an old winemaker friend of mine who had a very small, but respected label had had enough of the wine business. He hated the selling part of it and never enjoyed that side of it - he just wanted to make it. So we agreed I was going to buy his label from him and continue his focus on Santa Barbara PN.
I signed a contract for some great PN from a great vineyard I liked (and you’ll see more from this vineyard in future) to go into that. Then the reality of the decline in the wine business happened - sales down across the board, people tightening up their spending. And as I was harvesting this very expensive fruit last year, I thought to myself: “why am I buying a 2nd brand, diverting focus to that, trying to build a following there, when I could just put all that energy into building Sabelli-Frisch even stronger?” It just dilutes and spreads me thin. So I backed out of the takeover, but now I had a Santa Barbara PN in barrels on my hands! So, naturally, it gets released this fall as one of my special edition one-offs, the MILK FED series!
Wine is 100% whole cluster, so extremely electric and with elevated aromatics and powerful herbal features. It’s probably not one for long aging, best to consume over a few years. Very happy with this foray into PN. RRP: $40
Might include a little sneak peek of one of the spring release wines, too!
To all interested parties: I’ve decided on Tuesday, November 12th as being the best date to do this.
I’ve been in discussions with a few joints on the north side to host us, so the location and format is still TBD. This will be a mix of white, rose, and red and will include the wines that Adam mentioned above. Expect to taste at least 6 different wines, but maybe closer to 8.
Please contact me by November 4th so I can be sure to order enough for everyone. All are welcome, WBer or no, so feel free to bring along friends, family, and that one guy in your tasting group that no one agrees with.
My Swedish importer has decided he wants my new Santa Barbara Syrah for next year, which has put some pressure on finishing the label for that early, so I might be able to get that one in to @J_Patrick_Lynch and this tasting. I won’t say too much right now until I know for sure, but let’s just say it’s one of the most famous Santa Barbara County Syrah vineyards there is and would be a great wine to add to tasting.
Thanks for rescheduling this. I am a firm maybe depending on what time I get out of work. Would be able to join but can’t commit to being on time if it starts at like 6p lol
I am hosting a tasting of Sabelli-Frisch wines at Andiamo Pizzeria in Lakeview. It’ll be an informal drop-in format where you can come between 6:30 & 8:30 and taste some new and past releases and grab some pizza. Please RSVP if you can make it (no need if you can’t) and share with anyone that might be interested. All are welcome!
On November 12th, Adam Sabelli-Frisch will be releasing 4 new wines:
2023 BIOGRAF White Hawk Syrah, Santa Barbara County
2023 BIOGRAF The Bench Syrah, Clements Hills
2023 INEDAL Jacob’s Two Acres, Zinfandel, Mokelumne River
2021 MILK FED 10 Sparkling White Extra Brut
He has kindly offered to send me a few bottles in advance for folks in Chicago to try. As such, I will be hosting a drop-in tasting at Andiamo Pizzeria at Halsted & Diversey from 6:30 - 8:30 on Tuesday November 12. I’ll have some new and current release S-F wine on hand to try and there will be woodfired pizzas to order (we can share or you can order your own). Just stop in whatever time works best for you. Short on time? Get a pizza to go and taste while you wait.
I hope you’re able to join and please feel free to share this with anyone who might be interested. An RSVP yes by 10/4 is appreciated so I can make sure to plan all the logistics. There is no need to reply if you cannot make it. This is a very informal event and is just something I am doing to give Adam’s wines some exposure to people that may have not had tried them yet and to give past customers a preview of his new releases.
Andiamo is hosting this for free, and while having some pizza is not required, it would be a nice show of gratitude. I’ll be going out of my own pocket for the wine, so any donation on that front is appreciated.
Please let me know if you have any questions and I hope to see you there!
