Zephyr Wells’ La Carbonique Pinot Noir is crafted in the Beaujolais-inspired style of carbonic maceration, a technique that coaxes out pure, juicy fruit and silken texture. The wine shines with wild strawberry, cherry, and rose petals, its lively freshness giving way to a subtle earthiness and spice that anchor it in place. Pinot Noir, a grape revered for both its delicacy and complexity, finds an especially playful expression here—bright, supple, and endlessly inviting. With its low tannin structure and vivid aromatics, it’s the kind of wine that feels at home on the table as autumn nights grow cooler, capturing both the vibrancy of harvest and the richness of the season’s turn.

Ashanta’s Carignan hails from old vines rooted in Mendocino’s rugged coastal hills, a region where the grape has long thrived. Carignan is a Mediterranean variety that once played a supporting role, but here it takes the spotlight, delivering a wine of vibrant energy and surprising finesse. Cranberry, raspberry, and blood orange are layered with herbal undertones and a faint touch of earth, creating a profile that feels both rustic and bright. With naturally high acidity and moderate tannins, the wine has a refreshing snap that makes it endlessly food-friendly. This is Carignan reimagined for a new generation—alive with Mendocino’s wild character and perfectly in tune with the lively, crisp edge of the season.

Château Couleurs du Breuil brings new life to Grolleau, one of the Loire Valley’s most historic yet rarely bottled grapes. Native to Anjou and Touraine, Grolleau has long been known for its light body and lively acidity, and here it delivers a vivid, authentic expression of place. Bursting with redcurrant, cranberry, and wild strawberry, the wine carries a gentle floral lift and a peppery herbal edge. Its feather-light frame and naturally low alcohol make it effortlessly drinkable, while the schist and clay soils beneath the vines give it subtle grounding. Crafted with minimal intervention, Le Grolleau honors its heritage while speaking in a fresh, modern voice—bright, savory, and perfectly attuned to the crisp clarity of autumn.

In Alsace, where white grapes reign supreme, Pinot Noir has quietly established a noble presence, and Domaine Bechtold’s rendition exemplifies its elegance. From vineyards set in limestone and sandstone soils, this wine offers a delicate yet soulful expression of the grape: red cherry and raspberry glide alongside floral notes of rose and violet, with a stony minerality threading through its light frame. The domaine is certified biodynamic, and the natural vitality of the vineyards is reflected in the wine’s purity and precision. Rather than force power, this Pinot Noir leans into grace—lithe, fresh, and layered with subtle detail. It’s a wine that mirrors autumn’s quiet side, where brightness and restraint come together in a season of balance.

The Curio Pinot Noir from S.C.W. Selections is as intriguing as its name suggests—an exploration of the grape’s lighter, more aromatic side. Drawn from cool-climate vineyards, it shows a vibrant profile of raspberry, pomegranate, and red currant, with hints of violet and spice weaving through. A gentle frame of acidity and fine tannins gives it lift and structure without weight, keeping the wine lively and bright. S.C.W. Selections focuses on small-production bottlings that emphasize character and nuance, and Curio is no exception—it’s a Pinot Noir that rewards curiosity, shifting and revealing more with each sip. In its balance of delicacy and depth, it feels tuned to the rhythms of autumn, where brightness meets shadow.

From the historic heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine Bois de Boursan crafts Le Petit Oursan as a freer, more playful expression of the Rhône’s heritage grapes. Though bottled outside the strict appellation rules, it carries the soul of the region, blending 45% Grenache, 40% Merlot, and 15% Syrah into a wine that is both generous and approachable. Juicy black cherry and plum mingle with notes of garrigue herbs, black pepper, and a touch of earth, all carried on a supple frame. Drawn from younger vines rooted in the galets roulés and sandy soils that define the southern Rhône, it channels the warmth of the Mediterranean sun while leaning into a fresher, lighter style. With its savory spice and smooth texture, Le Petit Oursan feels like a fire glowing at dusk—comforting, layered, and perfectly attuned to autumn’s embrace.