Mastering the Craft: How Missing Thorn Wines Are Crafted with Care
At Missing Thorn, crafting non-alcoholic wines is an art form that combines tradition with innovation. From the meticulous selection of grapes to the use of cutting-edge techniques that preserve flavor without alcohol, every bottle tells a story of care, craftsmanship, and passion. Aaron Pott, our head winemaker, and the team work tirelessly to create wines that offer depth, complexity, and sophistication. Here’s a closer look at what goes into making Missing Thorn wines.
The Meticulous Process of Removing Alcohol: A Delicate Dance
Creating non-alcoholic wine requires an intricate balance of science and artistry. Our winemakers start with fully fermented wine—crafted with the same care as traditional wines. The key challenge is removing the alcohol without sacrificing the wine’s character. That’s where our innovative low-temperature vacuum distillation process comes in. By gently removing alcohol under low heat, we maintain the wine’s natural flavors and aromas, creating a wine that doesn’t lose its soul during the process.
“We approach non-alcoholic wine like we do with any fine wine—meticulously, with a focus on maintaining the complexity of the grape while eliminating the alcohol,” says Aaron, “It’s about respecting the grape’s integrity while reimagining what wine can be.”
Selecting the Perfect Ingredients: Quality Grapes, Quality Wines
At the heart of every Missing Thorn bottle is our selection of premium grapes. We source our fruit from the best vineyards, where soil, climate, and care combine to produce grapes bursting with potential. Each variety is carefully chosen for its flavor profile, and it is only the best grapes that make it to our winery.
Grape Variety: From the lively and crisp Albarino to the rich and aromatic Rosé, each wine begins with grape varieties that lend themselves to vibrant and layered profiles.
Sustainability: We prioritize sustainable farming practices to ensure that the land we source from remains as healthy and vibrant as the wines we create.
Hand Harvested: To preserve the delicate balance of flavors, grapes are handpicked, ensuring that only the highest-quality fruit makes it into each bottle.
The result? Non-alcoholic wines that offer natural richness and complexity—without the alcohol.
Innovations in Winemaking: Crafting for the Future
Our approach to winemaking goes beyond just removing alcohol. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, combining traditional techniques with modern innovations. One such innovation is the reverse-osmosis filtration process, which helps remove alcohol without altering the essential character of the wine. This process allows us to extract the alcohol while maintaining the wine’s mouthfeel, depth, and structure.
Another game-changing technique is our gentle fermentation process, which focuses on preserving the natural elements of the grape. This enables us to craft wines that are complex and aromatic, despite the absence of alcohol.
“It’s not enough to simply make a wine without alcohol,” says Aaron. “We want to make a wine that rivals the best. Our goal is to give wine lovers an experience that’s just as rich, fulfilling, and satisfying as any traditional wine.”
The Role of Time and Patience
Winemaking requires patience, and our process is no exception. After fermentation, we carefully age the wine in stainless steel barrels to enhance the flavors and ensure that every bottle reaches its peak expression. The aging process allows the wine to mellow and develop depth, even without alcohol, making the experience truly unique.
“Wine is a living thing,” Aaron explains. “Even in non-alcoholic wine, we focus on allowing the wine to evolve naturally. That’s how we ensure each bottle is of the highest quality.”
Missing Thorn: A Commitment to Excellence
At Missing Thorn, our commitment to excellence is evident in every step of the process. From the vineyard to the glass, we create wines that honor tradition while embracing innovation. Our unique approach allows us to offer a refined and satisfying non-alcoholic wine experience, without compromising on the craftsmanship or quality that defines fine wine.
A Look to the Future: Shaping the Non-Alcoholic Wine Movement
As the demand for non-alcoholic options grows, we remain dedicated to leading the way in this evolving category. We believe that wine can be enjoyed without alcohol—and that it can be just as rich, complex, and joyful as any traditional bottle. Our journey is one of exploration, dedication, and respect for the craft of winemaking.
“What we’re doing is more than just a trend—it’s a movement,” Aaron says. “We’re excited to be a part of shaping the future of wine.”
