Winemaker Deb Schatzlein has made some gorgeous treasures with Anderson Valley fruit and custom crushes at neighbour Balo.

At their tasting room located in The Madrones (yes, you need to stay there or at The Brambles where we did), we tasted her Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah.

But it was this Merlot-based rosé that I ended up leaving with.

Produced with Demeter certified, biodynamic fruit from Boonville’s Filigreen Farm (located just down the road to the south of Philo), this wine is gorgeous shade of pink salmon with aromas of sweet rhubarb and strawberry with light dried herb and rose petal.

The dry palate features great acidity and flavours of more rhubarb with jalapeño pepper, strawberry and rose.  No tannins or bitterness affect the finish although the alcohol is a little elevated.  No matter – Philo is up in those hills, high above Napa and Sonoma.  It all fits.

WSET Good plus, refreshing and delicious.