Making tea out of Sonoma wine skins

Novato based tea company, The Republic of Tea, has launched a new collection of iced and mulled teas made with wine skins from Sonoma County grapes. The tea, which is being made in partnership with WholeVine, a business started by Kendall Jackson’s Barbara Banke, uses wine grape skins to flavor the teas.

They say that “The appreciation of Sonoma County’s renowned vineyards has been previously relegated only to wine enthusiasts.” The teas are vice free: no alcohol, caffeine or calories in them.

Flavors include Sonoma Chardonnay (“reminiscent of a vacation in a glass”), Sonoma Rosé iced tea (“a sophisticated sipper”), Sonoma Cabernet (“skip the wine goblet and pour it into a big, tall glass”) and Mulled Zin Hot Tea (“soothing and fragrant”). All teas use their respective wine grape skins for flavor, with the rosé blending Pinot Noir and Sauv Blanc.

One can only assume the skins are leftovers from Kendall Jackson’s many properties or perhaps a conglomerate of winegrowers leftovers that often end up in compost bins or Trader Joe’s cheaper products. But, we could be wrong.

Have you tried these new teas? Share your thoughts below!