Klinker Brick Bricks & Roses Rose

Klinker Brick Bricks & Roses Rosé is a Provence-style dry rosé from Lodi, California, bottled at 12.6% ABV in a 750ml format. The 2023 vintage earned 92 points from Wine Enthusiast and a Gold Medal at the 2024 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, cementing its reputation as one of the most over-delivering rosés in California.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.6% (2023 vintage)  |  Origin: Lodi–Mokelumne River, California  |  Provence-Style Dry Rosé  |  Winery: Klinker Brick Winery

Production & Heritage

Klinker Brick Winery is located on Alpine Road in Lodi, California, in the Mokelumne River sub-appellation. Bricks & Roses is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignane, and Mourvèdre — the same classic Rhône varieties found in southern French rosé — but sourced from Lodi's warm-climate vineyards. What sets this wine apart is the disciplined early harvest: grapes are picked at just 18° to 20° Brix, at least a full month before the red wine harvest begins. The fruit undergoes whole cluster pressing with zero skin contact, followed by 100% cold-temperature stainless steel fermentation, preserving bright natural acidity and delicate aromatics that most California rosés struggle to achieve.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Youthful raspberry and wild strawberry lead, followed by melon, citrus rind, and a thread of dried herbs. A faint rose petal quality emerges as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is bright and immediate — strawberry guava and strawberry-raspberry coulis sweep across the palate. Mid-palate, orange cream and cantaloupe emerge alongside a subtle coriander spice note. Acidity is lively and well-structured throughout, keeping the wine taut and focused rather than soft or cloying.

Finish: Dry, mouthwatering, and clean, with lingering grapefruit pith and watermelon rind. The finish is moderate in length but persistent in freshness, inviting the next sip almost immediately.

How to Drink Bricks & Roses

Serve well chilled, between 40–50°F, in a standard wine glass to capture the aromatics. This rosé is built for drinking on its own but also holds up in lighter cocktails. A Frosé benefits from the wine's high acidity and strawberry backbone, which stay intact when frozen and blended. A Rosé Spritz — with a splash of sparkling water and an orange slice — highlights the wine's citrus and melon character without masking it. A simple Rosé Sangria with fresh peaches, raspberries, and a touch of elderflower liqueur plays directly into the fruit-forward profile.

Best For

• Warm-weather patio drinking and backyard gatherings
• Gifting to wine lovers who appreciate Provence-style rosés at a fraction of the import price
• Pairing with a grilled seafood dinner or charcuterie spread
• Stocking a rosé option for holiday entertaining or bridal celebrations

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bricks & Roses taste like? Bricks & Roses delivers bright strawberry, raspberry, and guava flavors lifted by citrus and melon, with lively acidity and a bone-dry, mouthwatering finish. It drinks like a well-made Provence rosé with slightly more ripe-fruit intensity from the Lodi sun.

How does Bricks & Roses compare to Provence rosé? Both rely on the same Grenache-led, Rhône-variety blends and whole cluster pressing techniques, but Bricks & Roses sources fruit from Lodi's warmer climate, resulting in marginally riper fruit flavors while maintaining comparable acidity thanks to its deliberately early harvest at 18–20° Brix. Provence rosés tend toward a slightly more mineral, saline profile, while Bricks & Roses leans into strawberry and melon expressiveness.

Is Bricks & Roses good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the combination of dry structure, high acidity, and layered fruit aromatics makes it a natural choice for drinking chilled without food. Its 12.6% ABV keeps it light enough for leisurely warm-weather sipping.

Where is Bricks & Roses made? Bricks & Roses is produced by Klinker Brick Winery, located at 15887 N. Alpine Road in Lodi, California, within the Mokelumne River sub-appellation of the Lodi AVA.

What foods pair well with Bricks & Roses? Grilled shrimp or prawns match the wine's citrus brightness; a Mediterranean mezze platter with hummus, olives, and roasted peppers complements the herbal undertones; goat cheese salad works with the crisp acidity; seared ahi tuna echoes the wine's dry, clean finish; and prosciutto-wrapped melon mirrors the cantaloupe notes on the palate.

What sizes does Bricks & Roses come in? Bricks & Roses is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Bricks & Roses worth the price? Bricks & Roses positions as a value-driven rosé that punches well above its price tier — a 92-point score from Wine Enthusiast and Gold Medal results at major competitions are uncommon at this entry-level price point, making it one of the stronger values in domestic rosé.

Why Bricks & Roses?

The 92-point Wine Enthusiast score and Gold Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition place Bricks & Roses in rare company for a California rosé at its price tier. The production approach — early-harvest fruit at 18–20° Brix, whole cluster pressing with no skin contact, and entirely cold stainless steel fermentation — mirrors serious Provençal technique rather than the afterthought rosé treatment common among many domestic producers. The result is a wine with genuine structural acidity, dry finish, and layered aromatics that reward attention without demanding it. For anyone seeking Provence character from California fruit, Bricks & Roses delivers with competition-validated consistency.