CAN you dig it?

I’ll be honest – I’m not convinced canned wine is my thing.  To me, there is no noise more satisfying than that of he popping sound when you pull the cork on a bottle of wine.  That said, there are occasions where cans can seriously come in handy…the beach, a boat, the pool, the slopes, a hiking trail (read anywhere you can’t have glass bottles or don’t want to carry them). Should you have to settle for mediocre wine on these occasions? You guys know I wouldn’t go for that. Here are my top picks for canned wine this spring/summer:

Belden Barns, $22 for 4 Cans (1 bottle per four cans): I tell everyone who will listen that I love Belden Barns. I love their property on Sonoma Mountain, I live for their gruner and now? I can safely add their cute little wine cans to this list. This year, they released 2 different rosés: one in cans and one in a bottle. Vivek prefers the bottled rosé (it’s darker in color and has a bit more fruit), but I loved the tart, dry jolly rancher punch of this one. Needless to say, I left with a pack of them to take on my trip to Hawaii over Memorial Day.

Brick and Mortar, $8 per can (Half a bottle, 375ml): I tried these during my whirlwind rosé tour at Barndiva’s pink party. The fact that they stood out during the blur of 80+ rosés is a testament to how tasty they are. Brick and Mortar actually makes 5 different kinds of cans (red – cab franc/pinot/syrah blend, white – chenin blanc/chardonnay blend, rosé – rosé of syrah, sparkling rosé and sparkling white – although they already sold out of some, so grab them while they still have a few cans in stock!) Based in Healdsburg, the idea to make cans was inspired behind picnics in Healdsburg square. Grab yourself a few of these and enjoy lunch outside next time you’re in wine country.

West + Wilder, $35 for two 3 packs, either still or sparkling wine (1 bottle per 3 cans): I also had their sparkling gems at pink party, but West + Wilder makes both still and sparkling wine. They were described to me as “great wine that just happens to be in a can.” I saw these again last weekend in my fridge at boon hotel +spa and I’m sure these are a huge hit with folks hanging out at the pool there. Reading more about how they give 1% back for the planet and seeing how their founder Kenny worked at Medlock Ames and Kosta Browne (two of my favorite producers ever), I was hooked. I love everything they stand for and the fact they are truly disrupting the wine industry and helping the environment along the way.

Paper Planes “Flight School”, $30 for 4 cans (1.33 bottles per 4 cans, 250 ml each): Ok, so I have not tried these cans yet (doesn’t mean I won’t by end of summer!), BUT…I love Paper planes rosé so why would I not like these? I encountered Paper Planes for the first time when they were doing a popup tasting at Wine Country connection shop in Yountville while my family was waiting for our table at Bottega. Paper Planes had a tiny little table and were just pouring rosé, as it was the only wine they produced at the time. My parents were super impressed with their rosé and bought some. Paper Planes has seriously taken off since then and now produce a couple different wines including the adorably named “Flight School” sparkling wine cans. Anything tastes better in a can when it’s sparkling, right?

BONUS: Tipp Rambler, $28 for 4 bottles (1 bottle per four bottles): I know, I know…it’s not canned, but it still counts because it’s cute and mini, right? Tipp Rambler makes these adorable Tiffany-robins egg blue packaged bottles of brut rosé and I had to include them here. James Macphail, one of the most well-known winemakers in Sonoma County, is the winemaker for Tipp Rambler and these are a thing of beauty. When you want to take your sparkling wine outdoors (or in my case to the couch to drink with the Warriors game since your boyfriend is not a bubbles drinker), these are a perfect way to do so. The best part? They even have handy screw-top lids with travel and adventure in mind.

I don’t know about you guys, but pool and beach season is coming up and I’m ready to stock my cooler up with these beauties. Think you can take your summer and outdoor wine drinking to the next level? Oh yes, you CAN.