Thorn & Burrow, a study of small batch, low-intervention skin contact wines by sommelier Alex Thornley, has announced its full bottle release line-up for the season, featuring five new wines, including: the 2022 RG+, 2022 Riesling, 2022 Rosé, 2022 Carbo Syrah, and 2022 Syrah/Riesling. The new vintages all have striking new label art by Santa Monica’s award-winning TRÜF Creative, and are now available for preorder online.
To celebrate the launch, Thorn & Burrow is hosting a full list takeover at Bar Susu on September 22, 2023. From 5 p.m., guests are invited to come sip all the new releases alongside delicious bites by chef Marc Marayag, as well as witness the disgorging of a Bar Susu exclusive pet nat from 2021. A DJ will turn up the vibes at 9 p.m.
It’s been a long road to get these little buggers out to the public, but we’re so happy to show them off and see what people think!” says Thornley, who founded Thorn & Burrow in 2016. “The whole line up speaks to what we’ve been trying to do all along – have fun and make interesting wines that can be enjoyed wherever and whenever someone wants a glass of something intriguing. Crack a bottle to share with friends!”
As a tiny guerilla outfit, Thornley continues to work diligently and closely with several vineyards for access to their vines. For Thorn & Burrow’s 2022 release, grapes were all sourced from various organic sites around BC, including a 15 year old certified organic vineyard in Osoyoos, 12 year old lakefront land in Summerland, and a 2.5 acre location in Abbotsford.
Thorn & Burrow’s full 2022 vintage line-up
2022 RG+
Medium bodied, dry
This kitchen sink skin contact blend predominantly sings to the beat of its Riesling and Gew powerhouses, backed up by freshness and tension from some Fraser valley hybrids. Aromatic, fun, crushable and moreish. 215 cases produced.
2022 Riesling
Light bodied, dry/high acid
Riesling done three ways. A blend of two, six and 12 days on skins. Think more wild crab apple than classic Riesling. The mouthwatering acid holds the cheeky tannin nicely in place. It’s chomping at the bit to be let free but she might need some time to settle into her stride. 196 cases produced.
2022 Rosé
Medium to light bodied, dry/high acid
This excruciatingly fun amalgamation is predominately carbonic Siegerrebe and Gew, blended with lightly macerated pinot noir and Syrah. Bursting with wild sour cherry and leafy strawberry, she’s bright and down to party. 172 cases produced.
2022 Carbo Syrah
Light bodied, dry, serve chilled
A light glou glou style of Syrah with a 7 days carbonic ferment. This means this bad boy isn’t shackled down with heavy tannin and weight, more of a fun sports car rather than a beefy truck. He keeps close to his roots though and smoulders with a subtle wild herb spice. 100 cases produced.
2022 Syrah/Riesling
Medium to light bodied, dry, serve chilled
Still not a heavy hitting expression of Syrah, leaning more into stewed black fruit and white pepper than our Carbo but still fun and light. The addition of skin contact Reisling further tames the beast, think more of a lounging cat rather than a wild tiger. 100 cases produced.
All of Thorn & Burrow’s 2022 vintage bottles feature TRÜF Creative’s new labels. Their distinctive fonts are unique, fun, bold, and really pop – just like the new line-up of wines.
“We’re really proud of these wines, our largest selection to date including our first foray into reds and rose,” adds Thornley. “We had some challenges with the organic Syrah fruit coming in not as clean as we would have liked; some tricks were required to get the most out of them, and we’re so happy with how they turned out. It’s still early days but the skins and rose might be some of the best wine we’ve put out.”
Thorn & Burrow’s new 2022 vintages are now available online for pre-order. People can also find a selection at private wine stores and restaurants across the city, including Published on Main, Bar Susu, and Novella.
Get even more juice from Thorn & Burrow by visiting www.thornandburrowwines.com.
