RAM Cellars 'Orange Fraîche'
Columbia Valley > Washington
Riesling, 2023
We’re proud to introduce to Seattle - RAM Cellars, wines made with love by Viv Kennedy out of PDX sourcing fruit from OR and WA to make some very fun and friendly juice. Orange-style wines are produced by fermenting white wine grapes in contact with the grape skins (and, in this case, the whole clusters including the stems as well). Nouveau-style wines are fresh, fruit-forward young wines that are released in the same year they are harvested. The tannins extracted from the time on the skins and whole clusters give this orange style wines a body and mouthfeel similar to a lighter bodied red, while the typical acid-forward style of our Riesling brings a zesty, citrus packed punch that makes this the perfect year-round wine.
Vivianne is the only Trans producer we know of, and we’re so proud to have been the first to bring her wines to Seattle. A portion of the sales will be donated to Trans Lifeline, a grassroots hotline and microgrants non-profit offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.
Columbia Valley > Washington
Riesling, 2023
We’re proud to introduce to Seattle - RAM Cellars, wines made with love by Viv Kennedy out of PDX sourcing fruit from OR and WA to make some very fun and friendly juice. Orange-style wines are produced by fermenting white wine grapes in contact with the grape skins (and, in this case, the whole clusters including the stems as well). Nouveau-style wines are fresh, fruit-forward young wines that are released in the same year they are harvested. The tannins extracted from the time on the skins and whole clusters give this orange style wines a body and mouthfeel similar to a lighter bodied red, while the typical acid-forward style of our Riesling brings a zesty, citrus packed punch that makes this the perfect year-round wine.
Vivianne is the only Trans producer we know of, and we’re so proud to have been the first to bring her wines to Seattle. A portion of the sales will be donated to Trans Lifeline, a grassroots hotline and microgrants non-profit offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.
Columbia Valley > Washington
Riesling, 2023
We’re proud to introduce to Seattle - RAM Cellars, wines made with love by Viv Kennedy out of PDX sourcing fruit from OR and WA to make some very fun and friendly juice. Orange-style wines are produced by fermenting white wine grapes in contact with the grape skins (and, in this case, the whole clusters including the stems as well). Nouveau-style wines are fresh, fruit-forward young wines that are released in the same year they are harvested. The tannins extracted from the time on the skins and whole clusters give this orange style wines a body and mouthfeel similar to a lighter bodied red, while the typical acid-forward style of our Riesling brings a zesty, citrus packed punch that makes this the perfect year-round wine.
Vivianne is the only Trans producer we know of, and we’re so proud to have been the first to bring her wines to Seattle. A portion of the sales will be donated to Trans Lifeline, a grassroots hotline and microgrants non-profit offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.
Grape: 100% Riesling
ABV: 12.5%
The Story: The launch of RAM Cellars was the culmination of years of studies and work by winemaker Vivianne Kennedy, Maven of Mirth & Darling of Delight, who came out as Trans in 2018. An interest in wine turned into a love of wine, which turned into an intense curiosity about everything that goes into the production of premium wines. With great pleasure and honor, she brings bring hand crafted wines to you and yours. She makes small batch lots of wines that are reflective of both the season they were grown and the varietal characteristics of the grapes they contain. RAM is focused on native yeast ferments on all wines, zero fining or filtration, minimal sulfite levels, and meticulous treatment of our wines throughout their lifecycle in the cellar. She works with a small team of women and queerdos out of Hip Chicks do Wine in SE Portland, and last year opened a tasting room - Community Wine Bar. Definitely check it out when you’re in PDX!
Viv, a French root word which means “to Live / to be alive” also happens to be shorthand for RAM Cellars founder and head winemaker’s name, who in her own words has this to say about the project:
“Having the courage to follow my truth and be myself means that I’ll be around for a long time to come. To be alive, indeed. And that I’ll be around for a long time means there’s more time to do good, meaningful things.” We’re matching her donation of $3 for every bottle sold to the Trans Lifeline, an organization dedicated to supporting Trans people in need around the country.
Personality: Like a spring sunset fading into tangerine dreams or straw spun into gold, it surprises and delights. Cantaloupe, lemongrass, fresh snow, tangerine, & jasmine greet the nose, while elderflower, lemon balm, candied orange peel, starfruit, lemon hard candy, fresh oranges, & a hint of limestone await in glass.
Harmony: It’s the ‘swiss army knife’ of food pairing wines thanks to that combination of additional body and bright acidity.This is a unique wine made by a truly unique human! Let your freak flag fly. Enjoy while vigorously defending trans-rights.