Get two, four, or six bottles of restaurant-quality wine mailed to your door each month. Each month’s box is curated by an Eater-beloved wine pro, who takes inspiration from the flavors, regions, and trends exciting them right now. 

This month’s theme: "Tropical Whites and Sun-Kissed Reds"

Is the July heat getting to you? Us too! And what better way to cool down than with a delightful glass (or two!) of summery wine?

This month, we have the pleasure of having Molly Austad, Bludorn's very own Wine Director. She's spent 13 years traveling the world (Europe and the US, to be exact) learning the language of grapes. From soaking up wisdom under legendary sommeliers to crafting award-winning wine programs!

This month, our club dives into the world of Tropical Whites and Sun-Kissed Reds, the perfect companions for these hot days. Inspired by Molly's picks, we'll be exploring wines that are fresh, light, and oh-so-crushable. Get ready to discover new favorites that will quench your thirst and tantalize your taste buds!

This month’s curator: Molly Austad 

"It’s July! It’s hot! Is there anything more enticing while sweating through the summer months than a glass or two of fresh, delightful, and crushable wines? I’m taking a dive this month into Tropical Whites and Sun-Kissed Reds – the summer crushes in my life this year. I grew up in Northern Idaho as a young girl. Tropical fruit, as you can guess, was a rarity, and the vibrant flavors of the tropics existed for me only in books and the very early days of the internet. However, my parents took my sister and I on a trip abroad every summer – incredible vacations to places like South America and Asia, and those early exposures to tropical fruit still leave me yearning for the same unique and exotic flavors today. Years late, before working as a sommelier, I moved to Paris to pursue design, but instead of finding a passion for the field, I fell in love with wine. My gentle indoctrination into the world of the vine began when I was transported to distant lands with every sip – and sometimes even to the faraway lands of tropical fruit from my childhood. These are the wines that enrapture me to this day. An easy misconception about such wines is that they are overly sweet or lack complexity. On the contrary, tropical whites can be wonderfully balanced with crisp acidity and nuanced minerality, while sun-kissed reds can offer depth, structure, and a vibrant freshness. I invite you to embark on a sensory adventure that celebrates my cherished childhood memories melded into the sophisticated elegance of fine wine.” — Molly Austad

• Lungarotti, Cadetto Rosso | Umbria, Italy; red, sangiovese blend: Lungarotti, a family-owned winery now run by talented women, perfectly captures the essence of Umbria in every bottle. I think that rocks! Enjoy this Cadetto Rosso on a warm evening and elevate your barbecue with a taste of Italian sunshine in your glass. It’s a fantastic summer red, straight from the sun-kissed vineyards of Umbria. This sangiovese-driven gem bursts with classic notes of ripe cherries, blistered tomatoes, and baked earth. Its vibrant acidity and smooth tannins make it incredibly refreshing, especially when served slightly chilled. Perfect for a summer barbecue, this wine pairs wonderfully with grilled meats and vegetables.
• Vignerons Ardechois, Cotes du Rhone Blanc | Rhone, France; white, grenache blanc, viognier, marsanne: Hailing from the Ardèche region in the Rhone Valley, this wine showcases the area's stunning landscapes and sustainable winemaking traditions. Vignerons Ardechois has mastered the art of crafting wines that are both vibrant and sophisticated. The Vignerons Ardechois Cotes du Rhone Blanc is a summer dream in a bottle. Bursting with tropical vibes, this white wine delivers juicy pineapple, mango lassi, and a splash of lychee, all wrapped up with a zesty, refreshing finish. Perfect for sipping on a warm, sunny day, this Cotes du Rhone Blanc is your ticket to a tropical getaway without leaving your backyard.
• Novella di Abbazia, Schiava | Südtirol - Alto Adige, Italy; red, schiava: This northern Italian region is famed for its breathtaking alpine scenery and exceptional wines. The cool mountain breezes and rich soils of Alto Adige give this schiava its unique, vibrant character. It's the perfect choice to brighten up any summer day! The Abbazia di Novacella Schiava is an absolute delight for warm days. This wine dances on your palate with notes of rose candy, wild strawberries, and a touch of smoke. Its light body and crisp acidity make it incredibly refreshing and oh-so-easy to sip. Abbazia di Novacella, one of the oldest wineries in the world, is nestled in the stunning region of Alto Adige.

• Manuel Formigo, Formigo | Galicia, Spain; white, albariño, godello, treixadura, loureira blanca, torrontés, palomino: As you can see, this is quite the blend. Formigo is like sunshine in a glass, bursting with refreshing citrus, juicy stone fruits, and a hint of fragrant blossoms. The crisp acidity dances on your tongue, perfectly complementing a plate of fresh seafood. It's a taste of summer, a taste of Galicia, a taste that warms the heart. This Galician white blend is a perfect match with scallops, Thai green curry, and berbere chicken! Its bright acidity balances sweetness and spice, making it a global foodie's dream.

• Tedeschi, Lucchine Valpolicella | Veneto, Italy; red, corvina, rondinella, molinara, corvinone: The Tedeschi family has been making magic with grapes in Veneto, Italy, since way back in 1630. That's centuries of knowledge and love for the land poured into every bottle. Unlike some Valpolicella wines, this one isn't aged for ages. Instead, they hand-pick the juiciest grapes from the heart of Valpolicella. Dinner date night or Italian feast? This juicy red is your food-pairing BFF. It cuts through the richness of Italian sausage and white bean ragu over pappardelle, while its bright fruit notes complement the Vietnamese summer rolls with peanut sauce. Feeling fancy? Surprise your guests with a blueberry peach crumble for dessert - the wine's fruit flavors will sing alongside the crumble, making it a delightful end to the meal.

• A Thousand Gods, Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough White| Marlborough, New Zealand; white, sauvignon blanc: A cool summer day, and you're unwinding with a glass of A Thousand Gods Sauvignon Blanc! It's crisp, refreshing with zesty grapefruit and tropical passionfruit flavors. There's even a hint of herbal goodness, like a whisper from a summer garden. The acidity is like a refreshing dip in the pool on a hot day, leaving you feeling clean and wanting another sip. Craving spice, creamy cheese, or seafood? A Thousand Gods Sauvignon Blanc cuts through heat, complements cheese, and enhances scallops - a perfect match for lighter, flavorful dishes.

• Unkel, Atlas | Nelson, New Zealand; red, pinot noir: Rob wasn't always a wine guy, believe it or not! His nose and taste buds were almost destined for perfumes, but wine (and maybe some bubbly magic) won him over! They globetroted, learning the ropes (big wineries weren't their jam) before embracing natural wines in Europe. Now, they pour their passion into every bottle. This Unkel Atlas Pinot Noir? Oh man, it's a real charmer! Like a glass overflowing with juicy red goodness - raspberries and ripe plums. Dinner party perfect! Pair it with comforting chicken and noodles, fancy duck breast, or blueberry pie! This juicy red complements savory dishes and cuts through richness, while its smooth tannins tame duck's gaminess.

• Domini Del Leone, Prosecco il Fondo Glera | Veneto, Italy; sparkling, glera: Guido Fidora, the current owner’s grandfather, was a pioneer of organic agriculture, certifying his estate organic as early as 1974. At a time when European viticulture relied heavily on pesticides, Guido saw the damage they caused and sought a better way. He tirelessly promoted his organic wines and farm products at farmers’ markets. Today, his grandson Emilio continues this legacy, converting the estate to biodynamics since 2015. The estate's winged lion symbol pays homage to Venice, representing majesty, spiritual elevation, wisdom, and peace. Made using the traditional method with a second fermentation in the bottle and no disgorgement, it retains the yeasty deposit on the bottom (don’t sweat! It’s harmless!). This process results in a delightfully dry, fruity, and refreshingly cloudy wine. Its extended contact with the lees imparts richer notes of yeast, bread, and a subtle hint of brioche, distinguishing it from the more common Charmat-method proseccos. Imagine a sip that recalls tropical fruits like guava and kiwi, with a touch of citrus zest and savory complexity. Perfect for those who crave a refreshing, exotic twist in their sparkling wine!