The folks at Shannon Family Wines have a sense of humor.
“For the most luscious, voluptuous Chardonnay possible, we look to our coldest, most frost-prone Red Hill vineyards, which also happen to be managed by our sheep,” they say.
Their sustainable farming practices include a “trusty flock of sheep.” These wooly caretakers ensure their vineyards thrive. Many wineries are letting sheep into their vineyards—a natural way to take care of unwanted weeds. One of their wine brands is named “Ovis,” Latin for sheep.
The owner of Shannon Family Wines, Clay Shannon, began his career as a vineyard manager, farming California wine regions. His vision is to grow the best fruit possible while preserving the land for future generations. “With the earth’s climate under threat, we’re using our resources to do something about it,” he says.
The 2021 Clay Shannon Lake County Chardonnay is “generous and charming” and “bursting with pretty aromas of white peach and Bartlett pear that lead to bright citrus and tropical fruit enhanced by rich, toasty vanilla and crème brûlée notes,” says winemaker Shannon.
The 2021 Clay Shannon Lake County Chardonnay is about $30 and available all over. And if you can find the 2020 Clay Shannon Chardonnay vintage, it’s now selling for about $19. shannonfamilyofwines.com
Sam’s Famous Salsa
Sam’s Famous Salsa company produces dynamic salsas. Sam’s never adds artificial preservatives, flavors or shelf-life extenders, and the cold pasteurization ensures a fresh taste. This family-owned company used a recipe from the Tarahumara Indian tribe in Mexico and handed it down through the ages. With its heavy Hispanic, Latino and Native American flavors, the salsas sing with vigor. Sam’s Famous Salsa comes in Tears of Joy (Hot), A Little Bit of a Kick (Medium) and Mild (All of the Mmmm with None of the Ow). samsfamoussalsa.com
