INDIANAPOLIS — Wine enthusiasts and newcomers alike have a new reason to explore The Prisoner Wine Company’s Unshackled lineup, which offers approachable options for holiday gatherings.
Jake Sanders, a WSET Level 2 wine professional and trade development manager at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, introduced the collection, which is designed to welcome new wine drinkers with accessible options.
“Prisoner came about in the year 2000. This came out about a decade ago on the Unshackled line,” Sanders said. “We want this to be able to be an everyday wine that you can either pair with food or have at your table.”
The Unshackled collection features three wines sourced from California’s Central Coast:
By comparison, traditional Prisoner wines typically cost between $35.99 and $40.
The Prisoner Wine Company incorporates environmentally conscious packaging into its Unshackled lineup.
“There’s no foil on the wine. That’s adding a bit of that sustainable piece,” Sanders said. “We’re also using thinner glass.”
These packaging choices are intended to reduce the environmental footprint while keeping the wines accessible to consumers.
Sanders recommended the Pinot Noir as a versatile option for holiday gatherings, particularly Thanksgiving.
“The Pinot Noir is more of a lighter body. It’s going to pair well with basically everything,” Sanders said. “I like the Pinot Noir through Thanksgiving, and especially as it starts to get cooler.”
The wine pairs well with roasted turkey, duck, chicken, gravy-based dishes and spiced holiday meals.
The Unshackled Chardonnay features a blend that includes Viognier, a white wine grape known for its aromatic qualities.
“This is not 100% Chardonnay. There is a touch of Viognier in there,” Sanders said. “That adds a little bit of that buttery mouthfeel, a little bit more of a viscosity.”
The blend offers pear aromas and green apple notes, with acidity that complements cream-based dishes such as fettuccine Alfredo.
Todd Ricard, winemaker at The Prisoner Wine Company, developed Unshackled to make wine more approachable for a broader audience.
“He wanted something that could bring new wine enthusiasts into the fold,” Sanders said. “He wanted something that was a little bit more approachable.”
Sanders encouraged beginners to focus on their personal preferences rather than the price of a bottle.
“Don’t worry about price point. You can find what you like, you can find a region that you like, start there,” Sanders said.
He suggested that drinkers who discover a preference for a particular region or style can use that knowledge to guide future purchases and restaurant selections.
For more information, visit theprisonerwinecompany.com.
