How We Choose a Drop

At Pharos & Cellar, every release starts with a simple question: why this bottle, now? A drop isn’t a catalog; it’s a small, purposeful set of wines that belong together. Fewer labels, better choices—each with a clear reason to exist in your glass.

What a “drop” means to us

A drop is a limited, themed release—usually 4–6 wines—built around a thread that makes sense: a place, a grower, a vintage story, or a style. We keep it small so you don’t have to sift through noise. When a drop sells through, it’s gone; the next one explores a new idea.

Our criteria (the short list)

Provenance first. We look for vineyards with identity—farming that respects the site, not fashion.
People matter. We favor growers and winemakers who work deliberately and transparently.
Clarity in the glass. The wine should speak of where it’s from and why it was made that way.
Balance over bulk. Texture, length, and energy beat thickness and flash.
No filler. If a wine doesn’t pull its weight in the story, it doesn’t make the cut.

How a bottle makes it in

1) Sourcing. We spend our time in Old-World regions—France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany—looking for producers whose vineyards and cellars are aligned. Sometimes it’s a benchmark name; often it’s a quiet overachiever you’ve never heard of (yet).

2) Tasting in context. We taste across flights built to answer a question: Is this wine representative of its site and style? A Chardonnay might sit beside peers from neighboring villages; a Garnacha beside other high-elevation reds. We’re looking for truth and proportion, not whoever shouts loudest.

3) Technical sanity check. Clean fermentations, sensible sulfur, thoughtful elevage, and a vintage narrative that adds up.

4) Fit to the theme. Even excellent wines get cut if they don’t serve the drop’s story. Coherence matters: when you open the set together (or build a mixed case), the connections should feel obvious.

5) Built to share.  These are wines you will want to share with your friends, family, and colleagues.  Ever wanted to show off your wine knowledge?  We'll help by sharing with you everything you need to know to blow everyone away.

Why we publish the “why”

We pair bottles with context—maps, maker notes, and short tasting guidance—so you understand what you’re buying and how best to enjoy it. Expect clear notes on farming, vinification, and service (temperature, glassware, pairings, recipes, cellaring windows). The goal is not just to sell you wine; it’s to sharpen your palate and have fun while doing it.

Small lots, honest pricing

We prefer small-lot wines because scarcity often follows specificity: single parcels, older vines, careful yields. Pricing reflects that, but we work to keep value on the table by choosing wines that over-deliver for their tier. You’ll see budget cues in our notes and, when relevant, suggested mixed-case builds that maximize value without padding the order.

Allocation & access

Drops are limited by design. Subscribers get first access and the clearest guidance on what to open now vs. what to hold. We announce the theme, share the lineup, and then open allocations. When it’s gone, it’s gone—no “extended” runs or quiet reprints.

Transparency about fulfillment

We run a brand-owned site with retailer fulfillment. You order on pharoswines.com; a licensed retailer completes the sale and ships with Adult Signature (21+). We currently support VA, DC, MD, NY, NJ, CT and will announce new states as they come online. You’ll always know who is shipping your order, and we’ll share realistic timelines (including any weather holds in the deep winter and summer, though we do our best to avoid those).

Sustainability & responsibility

We prefer growers who farm with restraint—organics or better where possible—and we avoid packaging gimmicks that add cost without improving the wine. On shipping, we favor right-sized cartons, recyclable materials, and weather-smart holds so your bottles arrive in the condition the producer intended.

What to expect next

Our inaugural Founders’ Drop is in motion with a planned release in early–mid 2026. Between now and launch, we’ll publish short pieces that preview producers, regions, and the reasoning behind the wines we choose. If you like to plan, we’ll also suggest mixed-case ideas (e.g., “3 to drink, 3 to hold”) so your first box covers both immediate pleasure and cellar interest.

Help us tailor your first access

Tell us what you like—regions, styles, and budget—and we’ll use that to steer updates and early allocation notices.

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21+ only. Please enjoy responsibly.