Visit us to shop and hang in person or order online for quick and easy pick up.
Address
210 EAST VERMILION STREET LAFAYETTE, LA 70501
Hours
Tues-Thurs
1pm-7pm
Friday & Saturday
1pm-8pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
21 and Over Only to Buy Wine.
Choose In-store Pickup To Order Wine Online.
We Do Not Ship Wine or Alcohol.
We do ship Everything Else!
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When the Konpira Maru boys wanted to create two very different expressions of 'skinsy' Sémillon. Sémillon has a very long history in Australia but is best known for its roots in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. When dreaming up names for their skin fermented Séms, they literally thought the wines were out of this world. This took Al and Sam to outer space for the names and fleet commanders Admiral Ackbar (Star Wars) and Admiral Adama (Battlestar Galactica) were the obvious choices. Admiral Ackbar is from the planet Mon Cala and commands the Mon Calamari fleet...get the tie in to high acid, drinkable, but textural Sémillon? The vineyard source is the Quarry Ridge Vineyard in Kilmore, Victoria, located east the Macedon Ranges of west of Upper Goulburn.
The fruit was hand-picked in mid-April and destemmed but not crushed. Cold soaked for two days in stainless tanks and then left to warm. Fermentation kicked off almost immediately and after 2 weeks of gentle pumpovers and light hand plunging, fermentation was seeing the finish line. The grapes were pressed at 16 g/L RS and it finished its fermentation in stainless steel. After two rackings and a total of six months in tank, the wine is racked off the gross lees and bottled without fining or filtration and only a light dose of sulfur at bottling. This is metaphorically the gateway drug for those exploring skin-contact and raw wines, but still friendly enough for the weary.
Bronzed straw. Aromas of fresh fennel fronds, lemon curd, passion fruit, green apple skin and a bit of a juniper quality emerge. The palate is juicy and warming with underlying cilantro flavors and apple pulp. There is a juiciness that must be tasted to be experienced and the finish is long and direct with just enough chalky tannin to give a gentle tug of the reins.
Konpira Maru started, as many great ideas do, as an idea born from two mates having a beer at the pub.
Working in the retail, production and education sectors of the wine industry for many years, they were searching for their own creative outlet. Sharing similar viticultural, winemaking and beer-drinking values, they set out on our vinous journey and from these humble beginnings, produced the first vintage in 2014, which resulted in just 600 bottles.
They set out to make interesting wines with minimal intervention and maximum care. Wines that were full of character, with a focus on affordability and a high-drinkability factor.
Their goal was simple – to produce wines we wanted to drink and to inject a little fun into an industry often accused of taking itself too seriously.
Now they make wine from the South Burnett and Granite Belt regions in Queensland as well as Kilmore in Victoria, with the help of our crew of amazing growers. In 2016, they took on our own Whitlands vineyard, sitting high above the King Valley. Here we farm Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Gris organically on beautiful red soil, surrounded by stunning sub-alpine Eucalypt forest. A magic part of the world.
Denny & Katie
Owners
Your friendly neighborhood wine shop and tiny bar, focused on small production wines and conservas. Connect with us on Instagram for suggestions on your next bottle and to follow along in our downtown Lafayette wine journey.
Visit us to shop and hang in person or order online for quick and easy pick up.
Hours
Tues-Thurs
1pm-7pm
Friday & Saturday
1pm-8pm
Closed Sunday & Monday