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Buddy Buddy, Butterfly Kisses Chenin Blanc - California, 2022

Brian Hibbard

— 1 min read
Buddy Buddy, Butterfly Kisses Chenin Blanc - California, 2022

Fast Facts:

Winemaker(s): Cassidy Miller
Region: Clarksburg -> California -> USA
Varietal(s): Chenin Blanc
Terroir: Deep alluvial mix of clay and sand
Serving Temp: 45-50°F

Cassidy Miller started Buddy Buddy in 2020 right in the thick of the pandemic. Before that, she'd been working as assistant winemaker at Berkeley's Vinca Minor, but when COVID hit and she saw an opportunity, she jumped. Then came the wildfires. The 2020 fire season was brutal, and Cassidy lost access to a lot of her grape sources. She pivoted hard and started making co-ferments with apples, pears, and whatever grapes she could get her hands on.

But in 2021, Chenin Blanc was her first proper all-grape wine, and aptly named "Butterfly Kisses" to signal the playful nature of the Buddy Buddy project. She works only with organically or biodynamically farmed fruit, practices minimal intervention, and keeps sulfur additions to basically nothing. Apparently a theme this month!

This 2022 vintage comes from the Woods Ranch vineyard in Clarksburg, where the Wilson family has been farming for four generations. The grapes grow in that rich Sacramento River delta soil - clay and sand washed down over centuries. Cassidy bottles this one unfiltered at just 11% alcohol, making it an extra crushable joy!

Why'd we pick it?

Cassidy's whole vibe is about making wine that's fun, accessible, and delicious without being pretentious, which is very much in line with our mission. Buddy Buddy wines feel like hanging out with a cool wine friend who doesn't make you feel bad for not knowing about wine.

Field Notes

  • Tastes like: Ripe pear, green apple, and brioche. There's a cool savory thing happening ... petrichor?! Is that you?? Definitely some melon and white flowers to round it out.
  • Serve it cold, but not too cold. 50-55 is lovely to bring out the extra savroy and salinity
  • Food Pairings: Steamed mussels in white wine and herbs with crusty bread would be gorgeous. Just grab some good cheese and crackers and call it a day.

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