Fizzy Lizzy 2021 Swampwater PétNat

Looking for a delicious bottle of ancestral method bubbly? Look no farther than this!

Lisette Hrapmann is the Assistant Winemaker at Day Wines as well as the owner/winemaker of Fizzy Lizzy wines. Her background in wine makes for quite a story. I'll let her tell it.

"My name is Lisette Hrapmann, I am a New Orleanian in heart and soul, and I feel so lucky to have been born and raised in such a special place. Since harvest of 2018, I have traveled around the world working in wine production and settled in the Willamette Valley in August of 2020. I have had the pleasure of working for and learning from great winemakers like Emma Kudrinski-Hall of Mauritson Wines (CA), Bryan Weil of Alexana Winery (OR), Brian and Jill O'Donnel of Belle Pente Vineyard & Winery (OR), and Brianne Day of Day Wines. I have had a very lucky draw - if it weren't for this trajectory of winemakers, I'm not sure I would still be in the industry! Since I have bayou water running through my veins, it makes it very challenging to be so far from the many traditions and celebrations of home; but my ever-growing passion and curiosity for winemaking, while being wine-stained and leesy in the cellar, makes that longing a little more bearable.

“Fizzy Lizzy Wines started spontaneously. In response to the last-minute fruit left on the vine during the 2020 fires, I bought and picked a half ton of Chardonnay and took care of my first wine-child in a friend's garage. I wanted to put my harvest experiences from previous years to the test, and I followed my far-fetched dreams of being a winemaker. Being responsible for this little batch was eye-opening! I gained a greater appreciation for the minute details, juggled logistics, and artistry necessary of a winemaker. At the time, I didn't realize I was smitten with the culture and history of the Willamette Valley--so I planned to make a pét-nat to avoid élévage and take my wine with me wherever I went next. I went to Louisiana with my first wine to share with family and friends and the 26 cases were gone within days.

Fizzy Lizzy Swampwater PétNat

“Sharing the wine that I've made has been the most rewarding part. When I hear of folks at home drinking Fizzy Lizzy Wine, it feels like I'm split between my two worlds. I'm transported right there with them on their humid front stoop; while in reality, I am likely climbing barrels in a dark, damp Oregon cellar. The ability to bridge that distance from home, and bring people together in good company are my favorite aspects of Fizzy Lizzy Swampwater PétNat.

“I know this is just the beginning of my winemaking expression. I have two barrels of still Chardonnay, the third vintage of Swampwater en tirage, and more production on the horizon. I live part time in the Dalles and am curious and excited about the varieties being grown in the Columbia River Gorge and Valley. Among many varieties I am hoping to get my hands on, I am especially eager to work with Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc in the vintages to come. Maybe even a refined version of Swampwater made using the traditional method. We shall see..."

PG:  I brought the Fizzy Lizzy home with me after a quick visit to Day Wines last month. During a spell of 95 degree weather last week, sitting out on our shaded porch with my brother, who was visiting from Asheville, that chilled bottle beckoned. And what a thoroughly delicious bottle it proved to be. Principally Chardonnay with some high acid Chenin Blanc blended in, it's fresh and fizzy, tasting of grapefruit and wet stones, dry and tart but not searingly so. The bottle quickly disappeared before I had a chance to write down more comprehensive notes. In my mind it is beyond a doubt the finest PétNat I've tasted since they became a trend here in the Pacific Northwest. Since I drank it for the pleasure, not for a formal review, I didn’t score it, but I will absolutely recommend that you treat yourself to this engaging, low alcohol, high pleasure sparkling wine.

You may purchase it here. List price is $25. (If you like hearing about insider wines like this, please share my subscription information with your wine-loving friends!)