Meet these natural leading ladies - new wines La Blanca and Ruby from Krasna Hora Winery
Krásná hora was the first winery we partnered with as we started on this endeavor of importing elusive Czech wines. We have been working with them for years now. All of their wines follow natural, biodynamic and organic guidelines, but they recently released a new natural wine line with new labels and a new vibe. And a whole new approach to helping consumers love natural wines. Introducing La Blanca and Ruby. And a re-introduction to an old favorite now dubbed Herr Gewürtz.
When speaking with winemaker Ondřej Dubas, he shared a little about what the reasoning was behind these wines.
“The story is simple. I thought about creating entry-level wines - both red and white - for the upcoming harvest. We wanted to create something appropriate for the international market. With a different label, different bottle, and screwcap, these wines have skin contact and are unfiltered. They are not so serious as our classic wines, but with perfect drinkability.”
Ondřej Dubas, Krásná hora winery
And as such - La Blanca and Ruby were born. Shortly thereafter Herr Gewürtz came along as “the one boy between two girls to protect his two ladies.” Gotta love chivalry.
The most often asked question on these wines? “Do you know the faces on the labels?” Well no. They won’t tell us. Not that I blame them. Their partnership with Czech artist Jaromir Svejdik who designed the labels has helped keep the secret. The mysterious ladies and gentleman will go unknown - but the wine certainly won’t!
INSIDER INFO: While La Blanca and Ruby are new wines to the KH linkup, Herr Gewürtz is actually their classic Gewürztraminer in disguise. We knew how brilliant their ‘Traminer was when we first tasted it. So you can find it in our portfolio with the classic label of the current vintage. The new vintage will see the updated and edgy ‘Herr Gewürtz’ label. Rumor has it we also have the insider track of their soon-to-come “Pink” wine to join the lineup. Curious? Try our Blanc de Noir when you get a chance. :-)
Czech out each of the wines - a red, white, and….orange?
She is an elegant yet simple red that is perfect for summer. Accompanied by the grill, and maybe even with a little chill on it, Ruby is the girl you can’t miss at the party. Always with something to say, but not pushy. View Ruby details.
This is a girl who doesn’t take her self too seriously. But is also a bit mysterious. If you want a wine that will leave you speechless, refreshed, and without a hangover (just 10.5% ABV) you’ve got to give La Blanca a try. View La Blanca details.
Herr Gewürtz (aka Gewürztraminer)
This wine has been in our portfolio since the beginning. But honestly? We’ve been very selective in who we pour it for. Gewürztraminer is a polarizing grape in the US as it is - folks either love it or hate it. I bet right now you’re having your own visceral reaction to the grape. Excited to get your hands on it or just reading this for entertainment purposes. And that’s fine. We get it. Nothing personal.
But this Gewürtz? He’s a dry, bright beacon in an otherwise syrupy world of Gewürztraminer. Delicate and sophisticated, yet approachable and drinkable all at the same time. This guy shows up to a party and every girl wants to talk with him and every guy envies him. And you can’t hate him for it. He’s that guy. View Gewürtz details.
The KH Gewürtz is an ‘orange wine’ as is their Blanc de Noir. Meaning it’s a white wine made by leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the juice. Creating an orange-hued final product. New to orange wine? Check out more info on Wikipedia or Wine Folly.
Shout Outs
We’d be remiss if we didn’t share some of the accolades these wines are getting. While we love them, we get it that it might be more exciting that the likes Wine Folly and Forbes are shouting out praises.
Madeline Puckette from Wine Folly might say it best, “WTF is this golden god?” Yeah - we were speechless too.
And if value is what you’re looking for, Forbes named Ruby one of the 10 best wines with an exceptional price-quality ratio.
“These wines are made by biodynamic principles, unfiltered, raw, vegan, wth minimum sulfites. But we want still keep the wines fresh, drinkable, and pure. Simply our style.”
Ondřej Dubas, Krásná hora winery
We’ll cheers to that!