Aromas of bruleed citrus, sarsaparilla, and warm cinnamon lead into a rich palate of bitter orange, dark cherry, and vanilla. The texture is smooth and full-bodied, balancing bold confectionery notes with a distinct, savory bitterness of wormwood, star anise, and wild thyme on the finish.
The base is crafted from sustainably grown Valvin Muscat and Cayuga White grapes. This wine is fortified with local Catawba grape brandy and macerated with 29 traditional botanicals, including wormwood, orris root, hyssop, and Madagascar vanilla. High-quality caramel is added to provide depth and texture before bottling.
The base wines and brandy are sourced entirely from grower-producers in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Vinification and production take place at Swedish Hill Winery, utilizing cold-hardy hybrid grape varieties specifically bred to thrive sustainably in the cool, lakeside climate of upstate New York.
