The Story of Poppi
Distefano Winery is proud to introduce our Poppi family of vermouths – our workhorse Dry, our distinct Sweet and our magical Bittersweet – which are proving to be some of the highest quality vermouths on the market. Each variety took one year to formulate and finesse, and the challenge and excitement of creating them reminded me of why I got into the wine business in the first place.
Vermouth is an aromatized, fortified wine, so with freshness in mind, our vermouths are all captured in 500ml glass bottles. Poppi Dry, Sweet and Bittersweet can be enjoyed not only as an addition to your favorite cocktail, but as a stand-alone favorite simply poured over ice with sparkling water and a twist of orange or grapefruit.
The name “Poppi” was coined by my daughter, Catherine, when she was very young. My late mother’s name, Patricia, was too difficult for Catherine to pronounce, so she called her grandmother “Poppi” instead. The name stuck.
I have found fond memories of my parents enjoying a great Manhattan at the end of the day. They savored the nuances of a skillfully crafted vermouth and passed the appreciation down to me.
– Mark Newton, Winemaker and Proprietor
Sweet Vermouth
Inspired by my parent’s love and appreciation for each other – and a great Manhattan.
Poppi Sweet Vermouth is a tribute to the great Italian vermouths and at its base is Cabernet Sauvignon, made from grapes sourced from some of Washington State’s most respected vineyards.
This vermouth is rich, fruity and enticing; warmed with notes of rich vanilla, orange peel and zest, cherries, lemon peel and just a faint hint of anise and Turkish Bay. The sweetness comes from burnt sugar which is produced by heating sugar under controlled conditions, without any additives. Poppi Sweet Vermouth can be served chilled as an aperitif or a welcome addition to your favorite cocktail.
Bittersweet Vermouth
Inspired by nights spent enjoying sunsets on the deck – with a Negroni cocktail in hand.
Not unlike our sweet variety, Poppi Bittersweet Vermouth is also made from high quality Cabernet Sauvignon, with the main difference being the characteristics from the numerous aromatic plants that are part of the recipe.
Poppi Bittersweet Vermouth is rich, fruity and enticing; warmed with notes of rich vanilla, bitter orange, cherries, lemon peel and just a faint hint of anise. The vibrant flavor profile offers complex notes with a balanced bitterness coming from wormwood and orris root – and lingering bitter explosions on the palette. Serve chilled, or in a cocktail.
Dry Vermouth
Inspired by the legendary martini – and time spent enjoying one (or more) in the company of good friends and great cigars.
A tribute to the great French vermouths, the base of Poppi Dry Vermouth is Sauvignon Blanc, produced from grapes from some of Washington’s best vineyards. Our Sauvignon Blanc is only picked with ripeness in mind to produce the most flavors in the wine.
Poppi Dry Vermouth reveals a savory scent of anise, with sage overtones, and is perfect for a dirty martini. The vermouth is light, crisp, boldly aromatic and makes the prospect of a full martini a reality. Look for a touch of lemon and orange peel, loads of dried herbs, an intriguing saline note and an almost effervescent feel on the tongue.
Spritzer
- 4 oz Poppi Sweet Vermouth
- 1 oz / splash of Pellegrino or sparkling water
- Slice of an orange peel
Negroni
- 1 oz Poppi Bittersweet Vermouth
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 orange wedge for garnish
Bamboo Cocktail
- 1 oz Poppi Dry Vermouth
- 1 oz dry sherry
- 1 dash orange bitters
- Orange zest twist for garnish