{"title":"Populis Wine","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere is a running joke in the American natural wine world that serious domestic examples cost as much as Burgundy. Populis exists partly as a rebuttal. Shaunt Oungoulian and Diego Roig founded the project upon returning to California in 2014 from apprenticeships in France, determined to make honest, affordable natural wine from organically farmed California fruit , and to do it from a converted basement in suburban Orinda, just east of Berkeley.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOungoulian's path into wine began with a harvest in Mendocino's Anderson Valley, followed by a degree in Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis and a formative stint in Beaujolais with natural-wine pioneer Julie Balagny and then in the Maconnais with Philippe Valette. Roig, raised in a family with deep California viticultural roots, took a parallel route via Leon Barral in the Faugères and COS in Sicily , two estates with very different temperaments but the same commitment to farming as the primary craft. The two met back in California and launched Populis alongside Les Lunes, their estate-fruit label, in 2014.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMore on how they farm and work in the cellar in our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/natural-wine-producers-primal-wine\/populis-wine\"\u003ePopulis Wine producer profile\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"populis-rose-populis-wine-zinfandel-carignan-natural-wine-california","title":"Populis Rose' 2019","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis dry rosé is built around 85% direct-press old-vine Carignane from Venturi Vineyard in Calpella, near Ukiah in Mendocino County. The vines were planted in 1948, have been dry-farmed since inception, and grow in alluvial Pinole gravelly loam soils on the former Russian River riverbed. The farming is certified organic, managed by third-generation grower Larry Venturi.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe remaining 15% is a deliberate blend of two components: 10% old-vine, own-rooted, untreated Zinfandel from Lodi, and 5% skin-fermented Muscat from Contra Costa County. The Carignane provides the structural backbone and high natural acidity the variety is known for. The Zinfandel lightens the body and adds stone-fruit character. The skin-fermented Muscat contributes aromatic lift to the nose without adding sweetness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWinemakers Shaunt Oungoulian and Diego Roig ferment with native yeasts, add no fining agents, and do not filter. Full malolactic fermentation rounds the texture while preserving freshness. Minimal sulfur is added before bottling only if needed, evaluated barrel by barrel.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Populis Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32220798124125,"sku":"POPUROSE19C","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0019\/3363\/9735\/products\/populis-rose-california-natural-wine-primal-wine.jpg?v=1630817588"},{"product_id":"populis-wabi-sabi-california-natural-wine","title":"Populis Wabi-Sabi 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003ePopulis Wabi-Sabi is a red natural wine made from a blend of Cabernet Franc, Carignan, Syrah, and Zinfandel farmed sustainably in California. Spontaneous fermentation, unfiltered, and unfined, aged in old wooden casks. Juicy red wine from California, pairs perfectly with al pastor tacos.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Populis Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41191835992263,"sku":"populis-wabisabi","price":27.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0019\/3363\/9735\/files\/populis-wabi-sabi-california-natural-wine-primal-wine.jpg?v=1780289701"},{"product_id":"populis-macerated-white-wine-natural-wine","title":"Populis Macerated White Wine 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ePopulis Macerated White Wine 2023 is a unique and refreshing natural wine produced by Les Lunes Wine. This orange wine is a blend of several grape varieties including Chardonnay, Albariño, Grenache Blanc, Ribolla Gialla, and Sauvignon Blanc, sourced from historic vineyards in Mendocino County, California. The maceration periods range from five days to two weeks, resulting in a vibrant wine with layers of flavors including apple, pear, quince, and a touch of floral notes from Orange Muscat. This wine is characterized by its juicy freshness, light body, and low alcohol content.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Populis Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45207033708760,"sku":"populis-maceratedwhite","price":27.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0019\/3363\/9735\/files\/populis-macerated-california-natural-wine-primal-wine.jpg?v=1780289693"},{"product_id":"populis-reversee-california-red-natural-wine","title":"Populis Reversée California Red 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003ePopulis Reversée is a playful red blend from Mendocino County, crafted by the team at Populis. The wine is made using a unique technique they call the \"reverse saignée.\" In this process, about half of the grapes are pressed to create rosé juice, which is then added back to a tank of destemmed fruit. This method reduces the concentration of the wine, resulting in a lighter, brighter, and snappier red that is both juicy and refreshing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blend is primarily composed of old vine Carignan, Zinfandel, and Grenache, sourced from organically farmed vineyards. The wine is fermented with native yeasts, and no fining or filtration is applied. The result is a light-bodied, fruit-forward wine with flavors of red berries, subtle tannins, and a hint of earthiness. Reversée is versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of foods, from lighter meats to richer fish dishes,\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Populis Wine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46630218662104,"sku":"populis-reversee","price":27.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0019\/3363\/9735\/files\/populis-wine-reversee-california-natural-wine-primal-wine.jpg?v=1780289697"}],"url":"https:\/\/primalwine.com\/collections\/populis-wine.oembed","provider":"Primal Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}