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April Flowers
Ancient garden wines are blossoming
By Janelle Lassalle
April 2019
Floral or "garden" wines have been around for a long time. The first references come from ancient Romans who infused libations with rose petals and violets. China's Han Dynasty introduced chrysanthemum wine to the world, and American colonists experimented with dandelion vino.
Today, innovative producers are re-creating floral wines by fermenting the flowers themselves. Curious? Check these out.
LAVENDER AND ROSE HIBISCUS WINES
Free Range Flower Winery
This Oakland, California winery has devised a unique method of fermenting flowers. Developed by co-founder and biologist Aaliyah Nitoto, the "florification" process utilizes organic lemons and lavender to create Free Range's flagship L wine, a lavender wine with a soft purple hue. You might expect a deep herbal flavor, but what you get is lightly sweet and crisp, with nice acidity, a bit of effervescence, no tannins and a hint of lavender.
Just debuted this past holiday season, its RoseHybiscus bottling is a playful take on red wine. Made from oranges and locally sourced organic rose and hibiscus flowers, it looks nearly indistiguishable from red wine and, while its tannins are velvety, it has earthy and herbal notes on the palate.
Today, innovative producers are re-creating floral wines by fermenting the flowers themselves. Curious? Check these out.
LAVENDER AND ROSE HIBISCUS WINES
Free Range Flower Winery
This Oakland, California winery has devised a unique method of fermenting flowers. Developed by co-founder and biologist Aaliyah Nitoto, the "florification" process utilizes organic lemons and lavender to create Free Range's flagship L wine, a lavender wine with a soft purple hue. You might expect a deep herbal flavor, but what you get is lightly sweet and crisp, with nice acidity, a bit of effervescence, no tannins and a hint of lavender.
Just debuted this past holiday season, its RoseHybiscus bottling is a playful take on red wine. Made from oranges and locally sourced organic rose and hibiscus flowers, it looks nearly indistiguishable from red wine and, while its tannins are velvety, it has earthy and herbal notes on the palate.
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Many thanks to Janelle Lassalle & Wine Enthusiast magazine for shining a light on our space!
Many thanks to Janelle Lassalle & Wine Enthusiast magazine for shining a light on our space!
the archives:
Cheers! Oakland boutique winery
splashes on scene with lavender libation
By Cornell Barnard
July 10, 2018
"The Bay Area's food and wine scene is, of course, world-class and often pretty innovative. A new Oakland winery is producing a vintage like no other where flowers -- not grapes -- are the star of the bottle."
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Many thanks to Cornell Barnard, Andrew Shepherd, Dan Ashley & the whole ABC7 news crew for this sweet local TV spot!
Many thanks to Cornell Barnard, Andrew Shepherd, Dan Ashley & the whole ABC7 news crew for this sweet local TV spot!
Free Range Flower Winery
Brings Lavender Wine
to Oakland
By Momo Chang
July 10, 2018
"Something missing
from the Bay Area food and drink scene — not a flower-infused drink, but
wine actually made by fermenting flowers... a one-of-a-kind concept: small-batch wine... made with locally and organically grown lavender and lemons. It’s best compared to a sparkling rosé, with complex flavors and a subtle sweetness. But it’s unlike anything most folks have tasted before.... The effervescent wine pairs well with brunch foods and savory dishes."
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Thank you to Momo Chang & the East Bay Express for our first local media shout-out!
Thank you to Momo Chang & the East Bay Express for our first local media shout-out!
Oakland's Free Range Flower Winery Plans Takeover Party
This wine is made locally with flowers — not grapes
By Anneli Star Josselin Rufus
August 14, 2018
"The first-ever batch of 'L' sold out at the winery's launch party in Uptown recently. Subsequent demand has been so fervent that Free Range Flower Winery has since doubled its production capacity."
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Thank you Anneli Rufus & Oakland Magazine's East Bay 365 blog for the "L" Batch #2 Party preview!
Thank you Anneli Rufus & Oakland Magazine's East Bay 365 blog for the "L" Batch #2 Party preview!
Is Flower Wine Ready for PrimeTime?
Free Range Flower Winery Aims to Find Out!
By Martin D. Redmond
August 15, 2018
"Tasting notes: Trying something deliciously different tonight.... It’s pale pink with floral, candied lemon, licorice and raspberry hard candy aromas. On the palate, it’s off dry, and fresh with candied raspberry, citrus, red licorice and a bit of juniper. It was great paired with an app of @cypressgrovers Purple Haze (Chèvre with lavender and fennel pollen) and citrus cured smoked salmon!"
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Thank you Martin Redmond for the blog feature and tasty review!
Thank you Martin Redmond for the blog feature and tasty review!
Flowery Wine
By Anneli Rufus
September 2018
"Oakland's Free Range Flower Winery makes wine from flowers, not grapes.... a naturally effervescent lavender wine, 'L,' made from local organic lavender flowers and lemons."
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Thank you to Anneli Rufus & The Monthly for the Feast Bay write-up!
Thank you to Anneli Rufus & The Monthly for the Feast Bay write-up!
Hard Knock Radio Q&A
with winemaker Aaliyah Nitoto
By Davey D.
November 16, 2018
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Thank you Davey D. & KPFA for the opportunity to tell our story to your Hard Knock Radio listeners!
Thank you Davey D. & KPFA for the opportunity to tell our story to your Hard Knock Radio listeners!
This Oakland winery makes bottles
with hibiscus, rose, and lavender flowers
By Alix Wall
November 19, 2018
"Free Range Flower Wines are incredibly drinkable, maybe even to non-wine drinkers. The lavender wine, made with organic lavender flowers and lemons, reminded me of what champagne might taste like with a bit of Elderflower in it, as it’s sparkling but not as sparkling as champagne and seemed like it could easily replace a sparkling rosé.... The lavender flavor is not overpowering, and hits the back palate just at the finish, with some faint notes of citrus. Free Range’s RoseHybiscus wine, made with organic rose and hibiscus flowers and oranges, is fruitier with none of the effervescence."
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Thank you to Alix Wall & Berkeleyside for this Nosh feature story!
Thank you to Alix Wall & Berkeleyside for this Nosh feature story!
22 great California wine, beer and cocktail events
in December and beyond
By Lisa Herendeen
November 25, 2018
"Free Range Flower Winery Holiday and RoseHybiscus Launch Party: Dec. 8... Winemaker Aaliyah Nitoto will be pouring free samples of her Lavender wine and introducing the first batch of RoseHybiscus."
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Many thanks to Lisa Herendeen & the Mercury News for including us in 2018's Top Holiday Wine Event picks!
Many thanks to Lisa Herendeen & the Mercury News for including us in 2018's Top Holiday Wine Event picks!
15 Minutes With Aaliyah Nitoto and Sam Prestianni, Makers of Lavender Wine
By Janelle Lassalle
January 3, 2019
On Lavender Wine: "They pour out a few glasses and Sam offers the first one to Aaliyah. Surprisingly enough, the liquid is more pink than purple, as if a rosé kissed a lavender plant in passing. The taste, too, gets me. It’s light with a hint of sweetness, and is far less lavender-forward than I expected. I feel my body immediately relax. It’s wonderful."
On Launching the Winery: "'I thought, I have to really bring this. I have to do this,' said Aaliyah... [who] never relented, in part, I suspect, due to her natural resilience. But part of it, too, is Sam and his love for her. He’s been her greatest believer, an endless well of undying faith."
On Love & Winemaking: "It’s only fitting, then, that love should beget love."
On Community: "It shouldn’t surprise anyone that a desire to create something to nourish the soul should incite so much joy. They launched in July 2018 and the community’s positive response has continued to surprise and humble them ever since."
On Launching the Winery: "'I thought, I have to really bring this. I have to do this,' said Aaliyah... [who] never relented, in part, I suspect, due to her natural resilience. But part of it, too, is Sam and his love for her. He’s been her greatest believer, an endless well of undying faith."
On Love & Winemaking: "It’s only fitting, then, that love should beget love."
On Community: "It shouldn’t surprise anyone that a desire to create something to nourish the soul should incite so much joy. They launched in July 2018 and the community’s positive response has continued to surprise and humble them ever since."
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Much gratitude to Janelle Lassalle & catapult magazine for this in-depth feature!
Much gratitude to Janelle Lassalle & catapult magazine for this in-depth feature!
Oakland Wineries Spotlight
By Carries Hodousek
January 29, 2019
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Thanks to Carrie Hodousek & KCBS Radio for including Free Range Flower Winery in this feature!
Thanks to Carrie Hodousek & KCBS Radio for including Free Range Flower Winery in this feature!
Oakland's Vibrant Wine Scene
By Cat Wolinski
February 26, 2019
"Oakland’s appeal encompasses a cultural cornucopia of food, music, art, and activism. Wine lovers will feel right at home here, too, as a growing network of winemakers in Oakland and the Bay Area is establishing its own identity, apart from its well-established neighbors in Napa and Sonoma."
Bottles to Try: Free Range Flower Winery
"'Wine made from flowers — not grapes' sums up the mission of this organic, sustainable, local Oakland winery. RoseHybiscus, a ruby-red wine made from rose and hibiscus flowers, is its bestseller. 'But the lavender sparkling is also amazing,' Fern Stroud says."
Bottles to Try: Free Range Flower Winery
"'Wine made from flowers — not grapes' sums up the mission of this organic, sustainable, local Oakland winery. RoseHybiscus, a ruby-red wine made from rose and hibiscus flowers, is its bestseller. 'But the lavender sparkling is also amazing,' Fern Stroud says."
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Thank you Cat Wolinski & VinePair!
Thank you Cat Wolinski & VinePair!
A Taste of Spring
By Mary Sullivan
March 1, 2019
"Free Range Flower Winery, in Oakland, is truly bringing a splash of spring into the glass. They ferment various flowers such as hibiscus and lavender to produce a glorious glass of wine."
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Thanks to Mary Sullivan & Joyride!
Thanks to Mary Sullivan & Joyride!
LOTUSWEI founder Katie Hess
talks flower wine
with Aaliyah Nitoto
on the Flower Lounge Podcast
April 3, 2019
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Much gratitude to Katie Hess & the LOTUSWEI family for this wide-ranging interview!
Much gratitude to Katie Hess & the LOTUSWEI family for this wide-ranging interview!
