Introducing Our First-Ever DI Grower Champagnes from Lété-Vautrain

Before we tell you more about these amazing Champagnes from Lété-Vautrain, there are two terms we need to be clear about so that our customers understand the value of what we’re offering today:

DI (Direct Import) - When a retailer sells a DI or direct product, it means they’re purchasing the product directly from the producer and clearing it through an importer rather than buying from a local distributor. Doing so can often shave 20-30% off the mark up.

Grower Champagne - In the Champagne world, much like the world of Scotch whisky, there are blending houses and there are farmers. Much like Johnnie Walker purchases whiskies from a number of distilleries to create a blend, brands like Dom Perignon and Vueve Clicquot purchase wines from hundreds of small growers to create their Champagnes. A “grower Champagne” means the wine was made specifically by a single farmer, and these wines have become all the rage over the last decade.

Hence, when you see our offer today for Lété-Vautrain Champagnes from $32.99 - $39.99, these are wines that would sell at $55-$70 per bottle if they were brought in via standard distribution channels.

They’re also far more concentrated and singular in their flavors, being the product of a single farmer and producer: the incredible Champagne Lété-Vautrain.

While Lété-Vautrain itself is a collaboration of two historic Champagne families, it also adds in the winemaking prowess of the Baron-Fuente family—another incredible grower Champagne. Working with historical vineyards in the Marne and near Epernay, Lété-Vautrain farms all three varieties—Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir—with environmentally-friendly practices that preserve both the integrity of the fruit and the land upon which its grown.

We’re very excited to debut three new Champagnes from Lété-Vautrain just in time for the holidays, at prices that are too good to pass up! We think the combination of provenance, price, and premium flavors will sway even our most devout big house Champagne customers over to the grower side of the industry. Having brought in an entire container directly from Champagne, we’re incredibly passionate about their quality.

Check out these fantastic Champagne values:

Lété-Vautrain Brut 204 Champagne $32.99

93 POINTS: JAMES SUCKLING - Layered with subtle complexity, showing lemon peel and pulp, chalky minerality and buttery aromas plus a whiff of strawberries. Round on the palate with medium body, crisp acidity and a tight-knit structure with a refined, toasty finish. Drink or hold.

Aged three years on the lees, this marriage of 50% Meunier, 25% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir showcases the incredible fruit of the Vallée de la Marne, for those looking for true terroir specificity in their Champagne. Dosage is 5g/l.

Lété-Vautrain Royal Brut Rosé Champagne $35.95

92 POINTS: JAMES SUCKLING - A very fruity, layered wine, showing strawberries and raspberries with brioche complexity. The juicy palate has crisp acidity and medium body. Refined finish with a toasty mineral-laden aftertaste. Drink now.

This blend of 60% Meunier, 20% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir is aged three years on the lees. The rosé color comes from the additional of 15% red wine from Meunier and Pinot Noir grapes. Dosage is 5g/l.

Lété-Vautrain Millesime 2016 Champagne $39.95

92 POINTS: JAMES SUCKLING - Restrained with chalky aromas, butter and pastry notes, lemon pulp and fresh red fruit. Zesty acidity with light body and phenolic grip on the palate. Polished, tense finish. Drink now.

This single vintage Champagne was aged 8 years in the cellar before release. A blend of 25% Meunier, 50% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir, the minerality is the focus here. Dosage is 5g/l.

The Return of the Three Chamber Rye Whiskey

Most of our customers already know about Leopold Bros and their historic Three Chamber Still—the same type of still that Stitzel-Weller, Jack Daniels, and other heralded American whiskey distilleries used over 100 years ago before Prohibition.

Three Chamber American whiskey is to rye and Bourbon what classic American cars are to SoCal’s massive auto scene: a snapshot of craftsmanship from a bygone era, replaced by efficiency and technology, but not necessarily for the betterment of mankind.

Five years ago, we got our first taste of Todd Leopold’s first Three Chamber rye whiskey, made in the pre-Prohibition style from heritage grains and filled in the barrel at 50% ABV. Since that initial release, however, only a few limited editions have been released to the general market.

Over the past few years, the Leopolds have kept the Three Chamber rye under lock and key, patiently waiting for the next iteration to knock our socks off. We found out this week that a new 9 year old cask strength expression is set to hit California at the end of November and we’re giving Mission customers the chance to pre-order now.

There was one huge difference, however: the ABV of the barrel sample we tasted was at 59.2% ABV! The Denver evaporation had finally done its work on the Three Chamber rye!

Because Todd follows historic precedent, proofing down the whiskey to 50% ABV before barreling, the previous expressions didn’t have much time to change in the cask. They were filled at 50 and bottled at 50. Nine years later, however, things have changed tremendously with the ABV elevating way up.

While the final ABV of the small batch 9 year old release is still to be determined, we’ve been told it will be a highly-allocated release of their highest proof and most concentrated barrels. The sample we tasted was simply incredible: sweet grains, lots of fruit, brown sugar, baking spices, peanut shells, and plenty of power. It’s one of the best whiskeys we’ve tasted this year and it was just a barrel sample!

The new Leopold Bros 9 Year Old Cask Strength Three Chamber Rye Whiskey is due to arrive at the end of November. You can pre-order your bottle today at Mission for $179.99.

The New Youth Movement in Chablis

As the heritage families of France’s Burgundy region continue to dominate the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuit, much of the youth movement has been centered in Beaujolais where Gamay wines have become the hipster beverage of choice.

Chablis, on the other hand, has also seen an influx of young innovation, beginning with Léa Schaller and Domaine Orion—one of the hottest new properties in the region. She took over her family farm in 2019 and learned to make the wine herself, rather than sell to the local co-op as previous generations did.

Named after the Metallica song of the same name, Domaine Orion represents a more rock and roll approach to Chablis. More grit, more elbow grease, and more concentration in the wines themselves. Schaller farms 5 acres in the southwest corner of the appellation, rich with Kimmeridgian limestone, layered with limestone and marl and full of oyster shell fossils.

The electricity of that terroir translates immediately into the wine itself, a pallet of flinty minerality with generous acidity and plenty of zip!

With historic Chablis labels now selling for $45+, Domaine Orion’s $27.99 price tag for a wine this delicious is a back-to-earth moment for Burgundy. We think it’s one of the best new white wines in the store right now, and we suggest keeping an eye on all of Léa Schaller’s projects moving forward!

Quite Possibly the Best White Wine in the Store Right Now

It’s one of the most common questions we get asked here at Mission, but it’s continuously difficult to answer: what’s a world-renowned white wine to give to a white lover that ISN’T Chardonnay?

The short answer: Condrieu. If you can afford it.

Those seeking something truly delicious, interesting, off-the-beaten-path, rare, renowned, and still somewhat affordable should look no further than the 2022 Condrieu “Jardin Suspendu” from Pierre-Jean Villa.

A legend in the business, Pierre-Jean Villa is a solid, well-built man, and maybe that’s why he gravitates toward elegance in wine. He grew up surrounded by vines and vignerons in the Northern Rhône town of Chavanay, but learned to make wine in Burgundy, which may also explain his bent for finesse. He first learned the ropes working at Mommessin’s Clos de Tart, which explains his winemaking prowess.

Of all the wines that Pierre-Jean makes each year, the Condrieu is the most limited at around 7,000 bottles in total for the entire planet. From three parcels totaling five acres, 50% of which are 50+ year old vines, this extremely-steep vineyard produces some of the most incredible Viognier we’ve ever tasted.

If you’re new to the Northern Rhône’s Condrieu region, it’s a tiny AOC of just a few hundred acres planted on extremely steep hills with microscopic production levels, and dedicated entirely to white wine. The best wines often clock in well over $100 per bottle and even the entry-level options start at around $60.

Today at Mission, however, we have the 2022 Pierre-Jean Villa Condrieu “Jardin Suspendu” at just $69.99 while supplies last—$20+ cheaper than the MSRP and most national retailers.

However, we only have a few six packs available and when they’re gone, they’re gone!

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate has counted Pierre-Jean’s whites as “some of the region’s finest wines.” The Guide to Wine called him “one of the most gifted winegrowers of his generation.”

If you’re looking for a super special bottle of white wine that doesn’t cost hundred of dollars, but comes with a pedigree well-beyond its price tag, this is it.

CHECK OUT THE WINE HERE

Limited Edition Green River Bourbon Army Release

Originally started in 1885, Owensboro-based Green River is the 10th oldest distillery licensed in Kentucky and has an incredible history, despite the fact that most folks only discovered the brand within the last few years. One of the most popular American whiskeys at the turn of the 20th century, a terrible fire destroyed the distillery and warehouse in the early 1900s, followed by Prohibition soon after. The business has changed hands several times over the last 100 years, but in 2014 the remaining assets were sold to a new owner who—with the blessing of the original family—changed the name back to Green River.

The brand’s return to glory over the last few years has been predicated entirely on two important marketing components: quality and price. The Bourbon is very affordable and the quality is extremely high. When Green River recently announced its U.S. Army Anniversary Release, a special edition crafted to honor 250 years of the U.S. Army's service and sacrifice, we started receiving emails and phone calls about when it might arrive.

Bottled at a symbolic 111.1 proof to commemorate Veterans Day (11/11) and crafted from hand-selected barrels aged 4 to 7 years, this limited edition release is a celebration of everything that has made Green River Bourbon (and America!) successful since its inception: sheer grit and determination!

CHECK OUT THE NEW GREEN RIVER 250TH ANNIVERSARY ARMY RELEASE

Mission Donates to Pasadena Educational Foundation Eaton Fire Response Fund

Last month, the team at Mission joined our friends from the Arnold Schwarzenegger Institute to deliver our first donation to the Pasadena Educational Foundation Eaton Fire Response Fund. With over $14k raised thus far, we’re still working every day to support families in the area who were affected by the fire. PEF works directly with these families on the ground, so we’re grateful for their partnership.

Helping rebuild the Altadena community is incredibly important to us, so we’re inspired to continue the work and the rebuilding process.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Private Whisky Stash Comes to Mission for Eaton Fire Victims

We dropped the big news this past Friday as part of our pre-sale, now you can come shop in person to help us raise money for our local Eaton Fire victims. If you missed the last email, here’s the gist:

• Alexander Murray & the Schwarzenegger Institute put together a very special whisky specifically for Arnold, his friends, and his political colleagues (with a good cigar, of course)

• After the Eaton Fire ravaged Altadena, both parties reached out to Mission about using some of Arnold’s private stash as a way to raise money for the PEF Eaton Fire fund for local families

• When you purchase the MacSchwarzenegger from Mission, $50 from each bottle goes directly to the cause

• The whisky itself is Speyside-distilled single malt right at 10 years of age that was finished for an additional four months in brand new, custom Austrian oak casks (the first whisky to do so)

As of today, the remaining inventory has arrived at all five Mission locations. We’ve already sold hundreds of bottles over the last five days, raising tens of thousands of dollars for Altadena, but we need your help to finish the job! Stop by any Mission store this week to get your collectable MacSchwarzenegger bottle—or buy two and you’ll be contributing $100!

One of Mission’s longtime customers Brian Gardner (pictured above) stopped by this week to grab his bottle, and invited us back to see the damage at his property.

Brian is a bit of a legend both at Mission and in the local Altadena community. Having built a western-themed bar into the basement of his home (dubbed the “Hye West Saloon”), Brian was at our Washington Street location sometimes two or three times a day, grabbing bottles of whiskey for his highly-popular TikTok videos.

Today, Brian’s home (along with his spirits collection) has been reduced to rubble and his family forced out of our Altadena neighborhood while they look to rebuild. We’re hoping that, along with Alexander Murray and the Schwarzenegger Institute, we can use Arnold’s private collection of MacSchwarzenegger single malt to help rebuild Altadena, one family at a time.

Altadena will be back, to paraphrase Arnold’s signature line. When we all work together for a good cause, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.

PURCHASE YOUR BOTTLE OF MACSCHWARZENEGGER SINGLE MALT WHISKY HERE

-Your friends at Mission Wine & Spirits

Mission to Donate 100% of Altadena Strong Proceeds to Local Fire Relief

It's taken us a few weeks to pick up the pieces here at Mission. We've been checking in on our colleagues, friends, family members, and many of our own homes, scrambling to keep our doors open for the Altadena customers who depend on our business. 

This week, however, we're beginning a series of different charity drives to raise money for the rebuilding of Altadena, beginning today with our new 'Altadena Strong' T-shirts. 

100% of all proceeds from the sale of these shirts goes to the Pasadena Educational Fund for Eaton fire victims to help local families in need, and 100% of what we give them goes directly to those who have been displaced. 

Working alongside our recently updated logo's design firm, the Thirty O' Ninebranding and merchandising agency, the 'Altadena Strong' shirt pays homage to our Washington Blvd storefront as it looked in the 1970s, with the mountains rising up behind it. Mission's vintage vertical sign has been a fixture of the neighborhood for many decades and served as the inspiration for the graphic. 

Help us give back to the community by purchasing one of our new ' Altadena Strong' T-shirts and wear it with pride as we work together with the community to rebuild. Mission is thankful to have such credible customers helping to distribute the necessary resources directly to those in need, and working to make this next drive a success! 

Pre-order your 'Altadena Strong' T-Shirt below and select your size and preferred shipway – either via shipping or in-store pickup. We're expecting all shirts to be ready by the end of this week and we're ready to print more if need be.  Click on the link below to order…

'Altadena Strong' Mission Fundraiser T-Shirt

$30.00

"Donations to the PEF Eaton Fire Response Fund will support our Pasadena Unified School District community during this crisis. Our district leadership is currently assessing the needs of our students, staff, and families. PEF and PUSD are committed to working together to ensure that resources reach those who need them most."