4 Kilos, 'The Island Syndicate' 2020

• producer: 4 Kilos
• region: Mallorca
• country: ESP
• grape variety: callet, manto negro, fogoneu
• production notes: certified organic, vegan

From the importer: “To understand the philosophy behind 4 Kilos’ winemaking, look no further than the name. It represents the initial investment of both partners—four million pesetas. That’s a relatively modest amount to start a winery, but it personifies their whole idea: Great wine doesn’t require huge sums of cash, just passion, respect for the land, and an uncompromising approach to quality.

Crafting small-lot wines from certified organic vineyards on the island of Mallorca, 4 Kilos embodies a commitment to finding the ideal combination of soil, climate, and clone for each variety, with a focus on indigenous grapes rarely grown in other parts of the world. In fact, if it wasn’t for partner Francesco Grimalt – who teamed up with Sergio Caballero in 2006 to form 4 Kilos – the Callet grape might not exist on the Balearic Islands.

With the help of a Balearic agrarian society called Apolonia Viticultors, the duo converted a former sheep farm into a small winery, where they still make 4 Kilos wines today. They now own vineyards in northern and southern Mallorca, outside of any particular D.O. and rooted primarily in a ferrous-clay soil called Cal Vermell.”

“A light, bright, refreshing wine with fresh cranberry, redcurrant, and raspberry flavors and a lifted, herbaceous character.”