July 2025 Adventurer Club Release

Bold Reds, Bright Whites — Wines with Soul and Story

This month’s Adventurer Club Release brings you a beautifully curated trio: two bold, expressive reds and one electric, textured white that delivers a whole new perspective on Washington winemaking. Each wine in this collection was chosen not just for its flavor, but for the story it tells—the vineyard, the people, and the craft behind every bottle.

Here’s your inside look at what makes each of these wines so compelling.

2022 Caprio Cellars "Eleanor" Estate Red Wine

Walla Walla Valley, WA

The Eleanor is Caprio’s signature estate red, named in honor of the family matriarch. Winemaker Emily Kiefer draws exclusively from Caprio’s own sustainably farmed vineyards—Eleanor, Octave, and Sanitella—to craft this richly structured, elegant blend. A combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc delivers a wine with both depth and polish.

Aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak, the Eleanor opens with lush notes of blackberry and cassis, followed by cocoa nib, clove, and a touch of espresso. Its silky tannins and bright acidity give it a long, refined finish.

Why It’s Awesome
This wine is all about grace under pressure—robust, expressive, and grounded in family history. It’s a polished reflection of Walla Walla terroir that’s as meaningful as it is delicious.

2020 Long Shadows "Pirouette" Red Wine

Columbia Valley, WA

Crafted by a dream team of winemakers—Philippe Melka, Agustin Huneeus Sr., and Gilles Nicault—Pirouette is a blend that brings together old-world tradition and new-world energy. The 2020 vintage is made from 66% Cabernet Sauvignon (primarily from Red Mountain), 30% Merlot, with touches of Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Select Cabernet lots were fermented in large-format French oak barrels that were gently rolled to build structure and integration.

Aged 22 months in 80% new French oak, the finished wine is dense, seamless, and expressive. Notes of black cherry, plum, sweet spice, and dark chocolate unfold over a plush, full-bodied frame with a long, layered finish.

Why It’s Awesome
Pirouette is everything a flagship red should be—ambitious, complex, and beautifully executed. It captures the collaboration between elite winemakers and top-tier Washington fruit in one masterful bottle.

2023 Lucius Wines Concrete Albariño

Columbia Valley, WA

This is not your typical Albariño. Under his Lucius label—a space for exploration and boundary-pushing—Andrew Latta reimagines the variety with intention and innovation. The fruit comes from the Lawrence Vineyard, located 1,500 feet above sea level in the Corfu Crossing region, where cooler temperatures and unique soils yield grapes with energy and character.

The wine underwent 48 hours of skin contact before being pressed into brand-new 20 hL concrete eggs. Fermented cool with no malolactic conversion and aged for 11 months on lees, this Albariño is vibrant and textural. It pulses with salty minerality, lime pith, white peach, and crushed stone, delivering both precision and weight.

Why It’s Awesome
This is Albariño with edge—crafted by a winemaker unafraid to challenge convention. It’s a tribute to Lucius Latta, the winemaker’s great-grandfather, and a testament to Washington’s evolving white wine landscape. Tense, mineral-driven, and thought-provoking, this wine is summer’s secret weapon.

The Common Thread

This release is about more than just varietals—it’s about vision. Each of these wines reflects a commitment to thoughtful winemaking, site expression, and pushing boundaries. Whether you're in the mood for bold reds or crave something lean and lifted, this collection offers a dynamic tasting experience rooted in authenticity and craftsmanship.

We hope these wines spark conversation, curiosity, and connection around your table. Here's to new discoveries and timeless stories—one glass at a time.

— The Base Camp Wine & Co. Team