Mendocino County

Populis is part of California's natural wine movement, founded by three friends with a mission to make honest, accessible wines from organically-farmed old vines. Their rosé embodies the ethos of 'wine for the people' – unpretentious, delicious, and made with minimal intervention. This isn't your grandmother's White Zinfandel – it's a dry, purposeful rosé made from old-vine Carignan and Zinfandel grown in Mendocino County's Mediterranean climate. The team at Populis focuses on sustainable farming and hands-off winemaking, letting the quality of their carefully sourced fruit speak for itself. The result is a rosé with character and soul – the kind of wine that reminds us that California can do much more than just big, bold reds. Perfect for those who want to explore the exciting world of natural wine without diving into the deep end of funkiness.

Like its red counterpart, the Wabi-Sabi White from Populis embraces the Japanese concept of finding beauty in imperfection. This blend of Chardonnay, Colombard, and Marsanne represents California natural wine at its most approachable – vibrant, expressive, and utterly delicious. The Populis team sources fruit from organic vineyards, ferments with native yeasts, and takes a hands-off approach in the cellar to let the grapes express themselves naturally. The result is a white blend with character and substance – miles away from the mass-produced, technically perfect but soulless whites that dominate supermarket shelves. It offers the perfect introduction to the world of natural wine for those curious about the category but hesitant to dive into the deep end. This is honest wine made by real people who care about the land – and you can taste that commitment in every sip.

Named after the Japanese concept of finding beauty in imperfection, Populis' Wabi-Sabi Red embraces the natural wine movement's appreciation for wines that express character rather than technical perfection. This blend of old-vine Carignan, Zinfandel, and Syrah captures the soul of Mendocino County in a bottle. The Populis team focuses on organic farming, native yeast fermentation, and minimal intervention in the cellar – letting the grapes tell their own story. The result is a red blend that's vibrant, juicy, and utterly drinkable, with enough complexity to keep things interesting but not so much that you need to overthink it. It's the kind of wine that reminds us that California can produce elegant, medium-bodied reds that work beautifully at the dinner table. Perfect for when you want something with a bit more personality than mass-produced wines but don't want to venture too far into the 'funky' end of the natural wine spectrum.

With a name that cleverly references both Tom Wolfe's counterculture classic 'The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test' and the wine's high-acid profile, this is Chardonnay that's definitely taken the road less traveled. Forget the buttery, oaky stereotypes – this is Chardonnay unplugged and amped up. Subject to Change Wine Co. specializes in natural wines that express California terroir with minimal intervention, and this bottling showcases their ability to create wines of character and energy without artifice. Made from organically farmed fruit with native yeast fermentation and no oak influence, it's a pure expression of Mendocino Chardonnay that focuses on freshness and mineral tension rather than weight or richness. It's the perfect bottle for those who think they don't like Chardonnay – one sip of this electric interpretation might just trigger a conversion experience.

Populis was founded with a simple mission – to make natural wines that are both accessible and expressive of California's diverse terroir. Their Sauvignon Blanc delivers exactly that, showcasing Mendocino's unique character through the lens of minimal-intervention winemaking. Forget the aggressively grassy New Zealand style or the oak-influenced Bordeaux approach – this is California Sauvignon Blanc with a natural wine twist. The fruit comes from organically-farmed vineyards, is fermented with native yeasts, and sees minimal sulfur additions. The result is a wine that feels alive in the glass, with a purity of fruit and sense of place that mass-produced wines simply can't match. It's perfect for the curious wine drinker looking to explore natural wines without venturing too far into the experimental zone.