On our trip to California last year, we visited many tasting rooms. I loved practically all of them and if we were independently wealthy, we would have joined every wine club from every winery that we visited. But we aren't and we didn't. We joined one. Sort This Out Cellars. Long time readers know my penchant for buying wines with quirky labels and names. As soon as we walked into Sort This Out Cellars, I fell in love. The decor was eclectic 1950's and 60's. They had a brochure featuring a rockabilly band, that played there. Be still my heart.
Then I saw they had a wine named Oh My Gosh Grenache. I turned to my husband and said in a fervent whisper, "These are my people." He could see the writing on the wall.
Now, if the wine had been terrible, we would have left. I would have been heartbroken, but it wouldn't be the first time I was lured and then disappointed by a tantalizing label. It wasn't terrible, it was fine, mighty fine. We joined the club and have been best friends ever since. Four times a year, my favorite UPS man delivers a box of wine goodness right to my porch.
Sort This Out Cellars "Mermaid" Chardonnay, 2013, California, $25. They say: Fruit forward, stainless steel aged, bright and crisp. An excellent representation of what Santa Barbara County has to offer in the way of fruit. We say: citrus and honeysuckle. Perfectly balanced with a lingering finish and a hint of butterscotch. Buy again: definitely.
Note: label artwork is by a local tattoo artist Mr. Sawdust of Sink or Swim Tattoo.
For those counting this is Weekend Wine Review #252







Tina says
I like the label ms your review is great. It's the perfect time of year for Chardonnay!
nibbles by nic says
What an interesting design! I'd love a sample of this one!
Valerie says
Kind of pricey but I'll look for it! I'm a chardonnay girl through and through!
Monique says
Love the bottle!! And the name.
sandi says
This looks like a wine club I might want to join!
Pam Greer says
It's a great club!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
I love that you do so many reviews of whites Pam! Red is all the rage these days with the over-reported "health" benefits, but it always makes me feel terrible. I like smooth Chardonnay, and this one sounds fantastic! What fun in Santa Barbara, too. I remember when that wine country barely existed!
Pam Greer says
I am definitely and equal opportunity wine drinker!