The Fray family moved from Switzerland to Alsace in the early 20th century, eventually settling as farmers on the hillsides of Dambach-la-Ville in the center of Alsace devoted entirely to viticulture. Bottling their first wines in 1963, they’ve farmed their land organically and biodynamically since 1997. The third generation of family vintners now run the winery’s continued evolution, aiming to further understand the link between their work and their environment.

In 2010, they moved their production to an above-ground, bioclimatic cellar, and their 20 hectares of vineyards provide fruit for their entire portfolio. They own five parcels across Alsace, with each providing its unique aspect. In 2022, Les Encuvés was born – a home for their “natural wines” that serve as wild expressions of the grapes, the land, and the conditions Mother Nature saw fit to provide – all minimally handled, and only rarely intervened upon. This Pét Nat is one of four wines in the new branch of the Frey’s portfolio… and it simply shines!   

Rhubarb, watermelon, mint, grapefruit, green strawberries, and sour cherries get this party started, followed by rose hips, and sensations of Japanese plum wine. There’s this explosion of impressions – salty, minerally, tart, and searingly bright all at once. The wine is not funky like many natty wines often are, but fresh, and zippy, with an intriguing jolt of phenolic bitterness on the finish. The color is a sort of dusky, plum-rose-red color, and the mouthfeel is refreshing and quite easy to sip. It is a blend of auxerrois, pinot noir, riesling, pinot gris, and muscat grapes – all common to Alsace – and allowed to ferment on the skins for one week to develop that deep color. If you’re looking for something explosively unique and fun – and not to mention, affordable – this is for you! A new brunch bubbly for all, if you ask me!