An Approach to Relaxation
By David Keck
This week we have the absolute joy and privilege to welcome Richard Betts and Carla Rza Betts to the Flocc with their wines—An Approach to Relaxation!
These two amazing humans have been crushing it in the wine world for a long time, Carla first working as a sommelier at some of the top establishments in New York City (The Breslin, The Spotted Pig, and The John Dory Oyster Bar), and Richard running the program at the Little Nell in Aspen for almost a decade. Richard started his first wine production project (Betts and Scholl) in 2003, and now is producing Mezcal as well (Sombra). Carla and Richard met, as their website tells the tale: “Then on one hot, muddy & muggy afternoon they found themselves in the same park at the same time &, well, Carla was wearing this hot pink tank top & pouring excessive quantities of sherry, & that was it. Boom. They were on their way to the sun.”
So what is An Approach to Relaxation and how did two American wine professionals end up living in Amsterdam and making wine in South Australia? Richard and Carla march to the beat of their own drum, travel the world and basically decided that Amsterdam was as good a place as any to ‘live’ when not on the road. And they own the Rza Block of Grenache in South Australia—a vineyard that was probably planted around 1860. So that stuff is crazy.
And they have access to old-vine Semillon in the Vine Vale sub-region in the Eastern Barossa, thus began the second wine under the AATR label—Nichon. 90% Semillon, 10% Sauvignon Blanc, 100% sexy.
These two wines just hit the Shepherd warehouse and we can’t wait to see them out in the VT wilds, bringing people hedonistic and also thoughtful enjoyment. Richard and Carla achieve something that is incredibly unique and exciting in their lives and wines—a balance of untamed joie de vivre and a high level of sophistication. Not many can have their experience and expertise, apply it effortlessly (or at least seemingly so!), and seem to also play as hard as they work.
Learn more about ‘Nichon’ Semillon 2017 HERE Learn more about ‘Sucette’ Grenache 2016 HERE
Cheers!