About Kerry Callender

Kerry’s passion for wine was ignited when she went back to school to pursue a culinary degree and studied abroad in Florence Italy. Armed with scholarships from the James Beard Foundation, Kerry went on to earn a master’s degree in Wine Management from the Culinary Institute of America’s Napa Valley campus. A year later in 2019, she was hired as a Food and Beverage Manager-in-Training at The Little Nell in Aspen, CO. Kerry has since switched her focus to wine retail with the goal of completing the rigorous certification for the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma program on her way to becoming a certified wine educator.

Kerry is dealing with bad bunnies

"The damned rabbits" that inspire this cheeky name and label are cute, but a real threat to the Tempranillo vines from which this wine is made. Despite the "work" of these bad bunnies, the winemakers have crafted an incredibly delicious and enjoyable wine. Los Conejos Malditos balances bright fruit flavors of cranberries, cherries and plums, with alluring acidity, light tannins, and a touch of earthiness. You can serve this wine slightly chilled, if you'd like, and pair it with cured meats, sausage pizza, slow-smoked barbecue, or even wild game. Do yourself a favor: Get at least three bottles and [...]

By | 2023-09-11T22:37:03+00:00 September 11th, 2023|

What Are We Drinking Now? Belle Pente

Kerry has the perfect Pinot for Thanksgiving! Belle Pente - 2020 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Good friends and good wine — a perfect pairing! As I prepare to gather with treasured friends for Thanksgiving, one of the wines I'll be serving this year is the tried-and-true Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from Belle Pente (pronounced pont). This elegant Pinot showcases bright aromas of red berries, mushroom, and a hint of licorice. The wine's balance of fruit, earthiness, and oak on the palate is carried to a long, exquisite finish that is sure to delight. Pinots are a traditional favorite for Thanksgiving [...]

By | 2022-11-21T23:19:59+00:00 November 17th, 2022|

What Are We Drinking Now? The Red Villain

Kerry is investigating "The Red Villain" Domaine CLO "Le Méchant Rouge" a.k.a. "The Red Villain" This wicked Cabernet Franc from Domaine CLO is a staff favorite. Aromas of raspberries and blackberries accompany subtle black pepper and vegetal notes. On the palate, pronounced fruit flavors are balanced by hints of smokiness and dried herbs. Medium-bodied with supple tannins, this Cab Franc can stand up to beef burgers, meatballs in tomato sauce, or grilled lamb. The vegetal and herbal undertones in this wine will complement dishes such as roasted red peppers, tomatoes stuffed with basil, grilled eggplant, and foods seasoned with oregano, [...]

By | 2022-11-01T21:31:44+00:00 October 31st, 2022|

What Are We Drinking Now? Gaia Monograph Moschofilero & Agiorgitiko

Kerry has two Greek wines you should be sipping right now! Gaia Monograph Moschofilero & Agiorgitiko With the summer heat beating down upon us, the time is right for chillable reds and fresh, bright, acid-driven whites. We have two Greek wines that fit the bill. While the grape names may be hard to pronounce, the wines are oh-so-easy to drink. The Grape: Moschofilero Mosh-koh-FEE-leh-roh This intensely perfumed wine is vibrant, juicy, delicious, and is bursting with citrus and floral aromas. Dry, medium-bodied, and full of zippy acidity, it pairs well with seafood, Asian cuisine, and a wide array of appetizers. [...]

By | 2022-08-01T20:24:18+00:00 July 29th, 2022|

What *Else* Are We Drinking Now? Cantos Blancos Verdejo & Crianza

Kerry has signature Spanish wines from Cantos Blancos. Cantos Blancos Crianza & Cantos Blancos Verdejo With more acres of vineyards than any other wine-producing country, Spain is known for delivering well-made wines at great value. We have two delightful wines from Cantos Blancos that exemplify this rich tradition of Spanish wines. And they're both made with 100% organic grapes! Cantos Blancos Verdejo If you're a fan of white wines with crisp acidity, bright fruit flavors and subtle herbaceous notes, this Verdejo is for you. Flavors of Meyer lemon, apple, and green herbs round out a pleasing mineral finish. I paired [...]

By | 2022-06-17T22:39:13+00:00 June 17th, 2022|

What *Else* Are We Drinking? Paul Anheuser Riesling Kabinett

Kerry has a German Riesling that's a little sweet and a lot of sass. Paul Anheuser Riesling Kabinett - Germany Everyone needs a good off-dry German Riesling in their wine repertoire, a style of Riesling known for its signature interplay between taut acidity and a hint of sweetness. Our Paul Anheuser Riesling Kabinett is just that - a little bit sweet with a lot of sassy acidity. There is a lot to love about this wine: Enticing aromas of ripe peach, lemon curd, and honeysuckle lead to a slight sweetness that is beautifully layered with subtle minerality and mouth-watering acidity. [...]

By | 2022-04-01T21:43:40+00:00 March 26th, 2022|

What Are We Drinking Now? L. Tramier & Fils Côte de Brouilly

Kerry would like you to up your Gam-ay (without breaking the bank)! L. Tramier & Fils Côte de Brouilly This Côte de Brouilly is a wonderful reminder that Gamay, grown predominantly in the Beaujolais region of France, can yield great value-driven wines. While the region may be best-known for the fruity, light style of Beaujolais Nouveau, production quality increases with wines at the village and cru levels. Côte de Brouilly is one of Beaujolais's 10 cru appellations, and this elegant little wine from L. Tramier delivers for the price! Vivid aromas of red berries, candied notes, and violets lead to [...]

By | 2022-02-15T00:06:19+00:00 February 11th, 2022|

What Are We Drinking Now? Villa Sparina

Kerry has two Italian gems from Villa Sparina. Villa Sparina Gavi & Villa Sparina Barbera Long before Wine Enthusiast crowned Villa Sparina the 2021 European Winery of the Year, we at Marczyk Fine Wines were already enamored of their charms. The unique bottle shape was inspired by an old bottle discovered in the villa's historic cellar. While you may be drawn to the bottle's captivating silhouette, you will no doubt keep coming back to the alluring wines within. The municipality is Gavi but the grape comprising this dry white wine is Cortese. The nose opens with intense ripe fruit aromas [...]

By | 2021-12-08T00:09:51+00:00 December 3rd, 2021|

What Are We Drinking Now? Sineann 2019 Pinot Noir & Deutschherren-Hof Pinot Noir

Kerry has two Pinot Noirs with very different personalities. Embracing Noir-vember, I tested pairing ideas with two gorgeous Pinot Noirs for an upcoming Friendsgiving dinner. Spanning both old and new worlds, I tried our Oregon Pinot from Sineann and the German Pinot from Deutschherren-Hof. I loved them both, for different reasons, realizing we have a Pinot for every palate! Wines often create an impression of "personality" in my mind, sometimes becoming a recognizable character. Meet The Debutante and The Silver Fox! The Debutante: Sineann 2019 Pinot Noir Tart and bright, this wine boasts aromas and flavors of vibrant red [...]

By | 2021-11-15T20:29:46+00:00 November 11th, 2021|

What *Else* Are We Drinking Now? Land of Saints Chardonnay

Kerry found a California Chardonnay that pairs wonderfully with butternut squash soup. Land of Saints Chardonnay - Santa Maria Valley, CA As days turn cooler, the time seems right to cozy up with a delicious soup that makes the most of what's in season. A recent dinner of "soup and sammies" featured a fall classic: butternut squash soup. I paired this rich silky soup with our Land of Saints Chardonnay. The mouthfeel of this wine is bold enough to stand up to the decadence of the butternut squash, along with a delightful acidity that cuts through the soup's creaminess. Aged [...]

By | 2021-10-20T18:45:20+00:00 October 18th, 2021|