Drink (and think) like a somm
Michael Shaps
Rosé
Virginia
Petit Verdot 37%
Tannat 27%
Cabernet Sauv 15%
Malbec 14%
Cabernet Franc 5%
Blackberry, Strawberry, Ripe Cherry, Orange Zest
4 Months
Stainless Steel 100%
Dry, refreshing, and reminiscent of the Rosés of Provence, it is beautifully suited for warm-weather and almost any charcuterie board.
Low
Med -
Medium
Med +
High
ABOUT
Michael Shaps 2023 Rosé
Our 2023 Rosé continues in the same elegant, light-bodied style as previous vintages, though this year’s blend introduces a broader spectrum of darker fruit character.
Crafted in the classic saignée style, the grapes were allowed approximately six hours of skin contact before pressing, giving the wine its delicate hue and layered flavor profile.
PAIRINGS
IN A PINCH
Grilled seafood, hard cheeses.
DEEPER DIVE
This wine has a light style body, and elevated acidity which makes it a great pairing partner for lighter fare and younger cheeses.
It’s great on its own, but the combination of 5 red grapes gives it enough complexity to stretch its options from the typical rosé pairings to the smokiness of the grill. Grilled shrimp, oysters, and salmon to name a few are going to be great here. Just be mindful of any rich sauces that could overpower this wine.
STANDOUT FEATURES
- Elevated Acidity
- Complex Fruit Notes
- Elegant Body
STEAR CLEAR
It’s probably best to avoid red meats, stews, and any thick sauces.
PAIRING SCALE
Light Dishes
Salads
Raw Bar
Med – Dishes
Fatty Fish
Roast Chicken
Med. Dishes
Lean Meats
Rich Poultry
Med + Dishes
Burgers
Fatty Meats
Full Dishes
Stews
Rich Sauces
CHEESE OPTIONS
Cheddar
Cheddar
Country: England
Animal: Cow
Type: Hard
Texture: Grainy
Style: Tangy, earthy, sharp
Pecorino
Pecorino
Country: Italy
Animal: Sheep
Type: Hard
Texture: Grainy
Style: Salty, tangy, nutty.
Chèvre
Chèvre
Country: France
Animal: Goat
Type: Soft
Texture: Creamy, crumbly
Style: Acidic, salty, tangy
RECIPE IDEAS
SERVICE
WHICH GLASSES?
White wine or All-purpose glasses would be best here.
BORDEAUX
BURGUNDY
FLUTE
COUPE
ALL-PURPOSE
WHITE
DESSERT
SHOULD I DECANT THIS?
WHY “Doesn’t need it”?
There’s a lot of complexity in this wine, but most of the flavors show up pretty quickly right in the glass.
SERVING TEMP
The correct serving temperature is important to show a wine’s true potential, but don’t stress over getting the temp exactly right. Use the chart below to try to get in the right ballpark.
AGING
WHEN SHOULD I OPEN THIS?
If a wine has been released by the producer, it means it is ready to drink. Wines don’t necessarily get “better” with age, they just change. Typically, this change involves things like losing fresh fruit flavors in exchange for more savory notes.
The moment you should open the bottle depends on your preference, so it’s more important to understand the evolution and the life span of the bottle than it is to try to time its opening perfectly. (It’s far better to open a bottle too early than too late.)
This bottle should probably be opened between:
20
-
20
Development
Year Opened
NERD STUFF
TECHNICAL NOTES
pH: 3.1
TA: 7.95 grams/L
Alc: 13.1%
RS: 0.01%
Bottled: March 1, 2024
Cases Produced: 97
VINEYARD NOTES
The majority of the fruit for this vintage was harvested from our Honah Lee Vineyard, a site that has consistently produced some of the finest fruit we have worked with over the years. Planted in 1998 and located within the Monticello AVA, Honah Lee features well-draining Davidson clay soils and a southeastern exposure that promotes optimal ripening. Additional fruit was sourced from Highland and Shenandoah Vineyards, both of which provide ideal growing conditions for preserving the bright natural acidity essential to crafting a vibrant, balanced rosé.
WINEMAKING NOTES
The grape varieties selected for this rosé naturally possess deeply pigmented skins, making careful extraction essential to achieving a lighter style. To create balance between delicacy and structure, the wine was produced using the traditional saignée method. After a brief period of skin contact, a portion of the juice was “bled off” to capture subtle color, gentle tannin, and enhanced flavor concentration without excessive extraction. The result is a Rosé that is light-bodied and refreshing while still offering depth, texture, and complexity.
PRODUCER
1650 Harris Creek Rd
Charlottesville, VA
(434) 296-3438
Open Daily from 11am-5pm
ABOUT US
Founded in 2007, Michael Shaps Wineworks is located in the former Montdomaine Winery, twelve miles south of Charlottesville, Virginia. The original concept was to use the facility for production of the existing Michael Shaps brand of wines, and to produce a second brand called Wineworks, a more value-oriented line of Virginia wines.
Within the first year the opportunity arose to develop Virginia’s first contract winemaking operation–more commonly known as custom crush–to make wine for independent growers who want their own brand. Found in many wine regions around the world, this previously untapped market became a focus for Wineworks.
Between 2008-2014 the customer base grew to over twenty contract winemaking clients and the facility grew in size and capacity, requiring two expansions. Wineworks quickly became a regional leader for contract winemaking, serving clients from Tennessee to Delaware.
Michael ShapsWhen Michael’s founding partner left in 2014, he brought in investors to expand the winery facility to increase production capacity to 30,000 cases of wine and changed the name from Virginia Wineworks to Michael Shaps Wineworks. In 2015 the processing volume reached 430 tons (approximately 28,000 cases) and the 2017 harvest brought in over 500 tons.
OUR VINEYARDS
Our Vineyard sites have been chosen and cultivated with care, thinking about the current vintages as well as future vintages. We believe that great wines start in the field, without great fruit, we cannot achieve great wine.
HONAH LEE
Located in Gordonsville, VA, Honah Lee Vineyard is our primary vineyard site.
WILD MEADOW
Wild Meadow Vineyard has been highly acclaimed as one of the best chardonnay sites in the state.
MICHAEL SHAPS ESTATE
Michael Shaps Estate Vineyard
The Harris Creek Road property has been planted to vineyard since the early 1990s.
Interested in joining our wine club?
Membership Benefits:
- 4 shipments per year: February, May, September, December
- 30% discount on all Wine Club shipments
- 20% discount on all other wine bottle purchases–both online and in tasting rooms
- Complimentary wine tastings for two (limit 2 per membership) at the winery of either Virginia or Burgundy wines, depending on your club each time you visit the winery
- 20% off wine flights at Wineworks Extended each time you visit
- Discounted tickets to many special events
- Access to pre-release & “library” wines not available to the public
- Tickets for two (limit 2 per membership) to the quarterly Wine Club Pickup parties, held in February, May, September, December
