Donkey & Goat "IF / THEN" Red Blend 2023

Juicy, crunchy and fresh are the call-outs for this fun and easy-sipping wine. Bright notes of raspberry, blueberry and boysenberry are complemented by herbaceous and floral hints of violets, lavender and sage. The palate delivers a burst of berry compote, with a long finish reminiscent of petrichor after the season’s first rain.

This blend offers a snapshot of Donkey & Goat style and California as a whole rather than a specific vineyard. D&G harness all of their winemaking craft and blending creativity to create the most delicious wine possible that over-delivers for the price.

Donkey & Goat calls this wine "IF / THEN" due to the rubber hitting the road truth of all winemaking and natural winemaking in particular. Just like a chef has to pivot based on what they found at the market that morning, winemakers pivot every vintage based on what mother nature delivers. IF a late set and rain coming THEN we pick prior to perfect everything and still make delicious wine after blending, perhaps stirring the lees, maybe an extended maceration or a “skinny dip” style.

Every day the winemakers Tracey & Connor face IF / THEN scenarios. Tracey also has a tech background from the last century (1990’s dot coms) which rests upon IF THEN statements for algorithms. And IF THEN statements speak to her ethos of always problem solving with a positivity lens. IF a roadblock appears, THEN find a joyful route full of creativity while taking care of the world and its humans, that ultimately produces a lip smacking delicious wine of character. That about sums up their philosophy at Donkey & Goat, and you can taste it in this lovely wine. 798 cases produced.

Donkey & Goat has the distinction of being Berkeley's first natural winery. Founded in 2004, they were unique for their ecological principles driving decisions in both the vineyard and the cellar, and ten years later for promoting transparency, being one of the first to list ingredients on their label.