# Love You Bunches Sangiovese (2025)

- **Producer:** Stolpman Vineyards
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sangiovese
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €22
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now
- **Serving temperature:** 10–13 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** strawberry, cherry, raspberry, plum, banana, rose, yeast

## About this wine

Stolpman Vineyards, located in the Ballard Canyon AVA of Santa Barbara County, is renowned for its innovative approach to limestone-driven soils. The 'Love You Bunches' label is the flagship of their 'So Fresh' line, which focuses on vibrant, low-intervention, and early-release wines. Named for the carbonic maceration process where whole grape bunches are fermented intact, this wine represents a playful, modern reimagining of Sangiovese, showcasing the grape's bright fruit profile without the heavy oak or high tannins of traditional styles.

## Interesting facts

- The name 'Love You Bunches' is a pun referring to the 100% whole grape bunches used during carbonic maceration.
- This wine is specifically designed to be served chilled, breaking the traditional rule for red wines.
- Stolpman Vineyards dry-farms their vines in limestone soils, forcing roots deep to find moisture and nutrients.

## Food pairing

This light-bodied, high-acid red wine acts much like a dry rosé or a heavy white wine. Its vibrant acidity cuts through fats in charcuterie and cheese, while its low tannin profile prevents it from clashing with fish or lighter proteins. Serving it chilled enhances its refreshing qualities, making it an exceptional match for outdoor dining, picnic foods, and dishes with a touch of sweetness or spice.

## Wine making process

The grapes are harvested early in the morning to preserve acidity. 100% whole clusters are placed into sealed tanks for carbonic maceration, a process where fermentation occurs intracellularly within each intact berry. This technique extracts intense fruit flavors and bright colors while minimizing tannin extraction. After pressing, the wine completes fermentation in stainless steel tanks and is bottled early with minimal sulfur additions to maintain its fresh, energetic character.