Neotempo Sensoria Love Grenache Rosé Sonoma Valley 2023

Kia Behnia and Tracy Borman are on a mission to produce world-class wines without sacrificing the health of their vineyard and the environment at large. Sustainability is rarely high on the list of priorities when crafting a cult-worthy wine. However, Kia and Tracy's embrace of new technologies pushes boundaries and challenges the status quo that quality and environmental care are mutually exclusive. After a decade of thoughtful development, collaborative planning, and innovative design (not to mention a less-than-ideal amount of sleep), they debuted their brand, Neotempo, and are proving that you can have it all in these regards.

When it comes to the details, they have thought of everything. From the bottle's design to playlists for listening while imbibing, to an open-source website for sharing results of vineyard research, to professional photography of the molecular imaging from each vintage, no stone was left unturned. Their holistic approach extends far into the supply chain but started with establishing their organically farmed vineyard. Knowing collaboration is critical, they recruited California's father of organic grape growing, Phil Coturri, to assess their land, plant the best clones for the health of the soil, and manage the vineyard. In 2023, their partnership with Phil Coturri proved even more fruitful. With the harvest as bountiful as it was, Phil granted Kia and Tracy Grenache from his organically farmed Justi Vineyard in Sonoma.

Packaging and distribution are two of the most significant contributing factors to the increased carbon footprint of wine. The materials used, the processing of the bottles, and shipping to the final destination were key areas Kia and Tracy recognized as having the potential to reduce emissions. Kia created a hexagonal-shaped wine bottle from 100% recycled glass to address these issues. Why a hexagon, you might ask? When laid on their side or standing side by side, the space between bottles is eliminated, and the number of bottles able to ship in standard containers increases. After multiple trials, testing, and building relationships with various partners, Kia applied for the patent for this one-of-a-kind bottle.

We can personally attest to Kia and Tracy's emphasis on selecting a winemaker for their beloved, burgeoning brand. Over several visits, they would procure bottles from ACME made by one winemaker across multiple brands to drink, savor, and "research." Collecting data like actual scientists, the first criterion to meet was a winemaker who consistently pleased their palates no matter the varietal, style, and region in front of them. It's no surprise winemaker Tony Biagi quickly shot to the top of their shortlist. Once they met with Tony, Kia and Tracy knew he could embrace the unusual undertaking and keep the quality and environmental impact front of mind.

Tony took an interesting approach with the Justi Vineyard Grenache and crafted a direct press rosé. After fermentation, the wine aged on the lees for 8 months in stainless steel. The sur lies aging lent texture while the steel allowed the surprising acidity to remain fresh on the palate. The Sensoria Love is a red wine drinker's rosé with a weighted palate true to the varietal yet lightened by playful and bright notes of elderflower and stone fruit.