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Strey Cellars Puts The Focus on Fun

By / Photography By | May 28, 2019
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Five-year-old Strey Cellars Winery in Oxnard wants to “stray from the norm,” and they do just that with their offbeat fruit selection and by emphasizing their wines’ approachability. They don’t rely simply on being different, though, which becomes evident when you taste the craftsmanship in winemaker Scott Ballew’s wines.

Co-owner and tasting room manager Katie Ballew emphasizes the casual, fun side of wine, a product that can feel unapproachable and “a little snobby,” she says. Strey’s goal is to create unique wines that are still ideal representations of the individual grape. The Ballews want to make enjoyable wines that appeal to newer wine drinkers while still meeting the more exacting standards of experienced wine enthusiasts. Their aversion to stuffiness is apparent when you walk into their airy tasting room and you’re met by their four-legged greeter Tawny (“like the port”), a sweet Boxer mix.

Strey is featuring their bright and refreshing Verdelho—a Portuguese varietal that has made its way to California—as their favorite summer sipper. Scott says that the Verdelho, sourced from Lodi and processed entirely in Oxnard, is “especially fun because it’s a unique varietal with some green apple, citrus and tropical notes. I focus on a crisp acidic profile that creates a cold, refreshing, bright wine perfect for hot summer days.”

After visiting Strey’s modern and inviting tasting room, take home a bottle of the 2018 Verdelho to chill and enjoy the bright, dry wine with a peachy nose in the sunshine. This white pairs well with Asian food with a little kick, white meat, fish tacos and outdoor sipping.

Their other summer 2019 release is a 2018 rosé made from Barbera grapes, an Italian varietal grown in California (and also hailing from Lodi) with vibrant acidity, smooth tannins and berry notes. This dry rosé is an excellent companion to light fare such as cheese and charcuterie.

Act fast on these pretty wines, because Strey is serious about being small batch—they produce about 1,000 cases in total each year.

For more info, visit StreyCellars.com.

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