Deux Punx

Deux Punx is a Napa-based winery founded by Dan Schaaf and Aaron Olson. Their wines are a direct reflection of their punk rock ethos: they're anti-mainstream, DIY, and driven by an uncompromising "less is more" philosophy. They're a négociant winery, meaning they don't own vineyards but instead source grapes from various, often organically farmed, vineyards across California.

Terroir: California's Diverse Vineyards

Deux Punx's approach to terroir is a curated one. They seek out growers and sites that align with their philosophy of organic and sustainable farming. This allows them to create a diverse portfolio that is a snapshot of California's varied landscape.

  • Diverse Vineyard Sources: They source from a wide range of locations, including old, head-trained Zinfandel vines from Contra Costa County, Grenache from Lake County's volcanic soils, and Pinot Noir from Humboldt County's unique terroir.

  • Focus on the Grower: The core of their approach is the relationships they build with their grower partners. They believe that great wine starts in the vineyard, and their role is simply to "not screw it up."

Winemaking: A Hands-Off, "Punk" Approach

In the cellar, the Deux Punx philosophy is a rebellion against conventional, interventionist winemaking. Their goal is to produce living, raw wines that are honest and unadulterated.

  • Native Yeast Fermentation: All of their wines are fermented using indigenous yeasts from the grapes and the winery environment. This allows for a more authentic and complex expression of the vineyard.

  • Minimal Intervention: The winemaking process is about guiding, not controlling. They use ambient temperatures for fermentation, neutral oak for aging, and no fining or filtering.

  • Minimal Sulfur: They use very little sulfur dioxide (SO2), with the goal of creating vibrant, energetic wines that are stable without a heavy reliance on preservatives.

  • DIY Attitude: Their approach is pragmatic and hands-on. They have even created their own DIY carbonic fermenter out of saran wrap, which is a testament to their resourceful, punk rock spirit.

 

  • Retailers for Deux Punx Wines

    • Deux Punx Official Website: Direct purchase of wines like Petnat, White Blend, Zinfandel, and more.

    • Primal Wine: An online retailer specializing in natural wines, offering Deux Punx California White Wine andLight Red, sourced from organic vineyards.

    • Instacart: Offers delivery or pickup for Deux Punx Rosé and Pinot Noir, with contactless delivery options.

    • Harvest Wine Shop: Carries Deux Punx Old Vine Zinfandel from the Central Coast’s Del Barba Vineyard.

    • Wine-Searcher: Lists multiple Deux Punx wines (e.g., Grenache, Pinot Gris Rosé, Cabernet Franc) withlinks to various stores for local pricing and availability in the USA.

    Small Independent Natural Wine Stores Near Napa, CaliforniaThe following are small, independent retailers in or near Napa that focus on natural wines, some of which arelisted on the Deux Punx website as carrying their products. These stores align with the minimalist, organic ethosof Deux Punx:

    • Lincoln Fine Wines: A boutique wine shop in Napa offering a curated selection of natural and organicwines, including Deux Punx.

    • Domaine LA: A Los Angeles-based natural wine shop with a strong focus on low-intervention wines, knownto stock Deux Punx.

      • Website: www.domainela.com

      • Note: While not in Napa, it’s a key retailer for Deux Punx in California.

    • Good Clean Fun: A natural wine shop and bar in Los Angeles, offering Deux Punx wines and emphasizingsustainable producers.

      • Website: www.goodcleanfunwine.com

      • Location: Los Angeles, CA (check website for availability in Napa via shipping).

    • Melody: A San Francisco-based natural wine shop and restaurant, known for carrying Deux Punx and otherminimalist wines.

      • Website: www.melodywinesf.com

      • Location: San Francisco, CA (approximately 50 miles from Napa, with potential shipping options).

    • DIA Natural Wine: A small retailer in Santa Barbara specializing in natural wines, listed as a Deux Punxstockist.

      • Website: Check www.deuxpunx.com for direct contact, as no standalone site is provided.

      • Location: Santa Barbara, CA (shipping to Napa may be available).

    • Retailer Links