87% Petit Manseng, 8% Albarino, 3% pinot blanc, 2% pinot gris
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, USA
Petit Manseng from Batesville, Hayesville clay loam soils. Chardonel from Terry & Dave Bruce near Harrisonburg, Frederick loam soils with limestone and sandstone. Sauvignon Blanc from Verona, Frederick loam soils with limestone and sandstone.
Organic
Petit Manseng destemmed, berries left whole, three weeks of maceration, punch downs once a day, full malo in older Burgundian barrels. Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonel direct press (20% whole berry inclusion on the Chardonel) then blended with Petit Manseng. aged four months in fiberglass, bottled June 2023.
drink now
Natural musk on front of nose and palate. Fades to apricot and tangerine.
Seafood, herbal-infused chicken dishes, duck confit, salads with orange or grapefruit-based dressings.
Commonwealth wine company is an incubator and wine-cooperative launched in 2022 to bring organically-farmed natural wines to market that showcase the terroir and climate of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Leading its hospitality and brand division is founding partner Lee Campbell, a trailblazer who, after working the top-tier culinary scene in NYC, promotes works the wine fair circuit to promote the wines she believes uphold excellence in production and express their environment. From Commonwealth Wine Co: "A certified sommelier also working as a consultant, [Lee] draws from experience in nearly every aspect of wine and hospitality – retail, import, distribution, hotels, restaurants, wine fairs – and advocates for the integration of food and wine into a balanced, healthy, and joyful life for people of every background to savor. A native New Yorker, Lee is a graduate of the University of Virginia." (Some of our wine club subscribers may recall that we featured CWWC and Lee Campbell in November's wine club.)
From the importer, Zev Rovine:
“I first met Lee Campbell in 2008 when I was doing an in-store tasting for Earth Day. She was pouring next to me, representing Louis/ Dressner and it stands as the best in-store tasting I’ve ever poured. I fed off her energy and gave it everything I had in order to keep up. Since then, Lee has done it all, from running one of the most progressive and industry moving wine programs, to wine fair organizing, and now she’s completing the wine pro trinity by stepping into production. Through @winesbythehand, we couldn’t be more proud to work with Lee and these wines, which like everything she’s done makes you reconsider the status quo.
The wines are made at @commonwealthcrush an incubator program, collaborative space, and custom crush facility in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. More than that, it is a wine label showcasing the diversity and potential of Virgina as a growing region. The project was cofounded by brothers, farmers, and Virgina natives Tim and Ben Jordan along with friend Pat Eagan. Long time champion of Virginia wine. Lee joined the team and has had a heavy hand in lending her tastes and insights acquired through a 20+ year career to Common Wealth Crush’s inaugural vintage. ” — Zev
Learn more about Lee Campbell's Journey:
Lee Campbell interview on Black Guy Wine Experience
Lee Campbell on the spotlight
