The Last Call
The Last Call – The Original Recipe
This is the time of year that we are busy sampling grapes in the field, always seeking to find that perfect moment for harvest. We froze a few of these grapes to enjoy later. A fun thing to do is use the frozen grapes in place of ice in a cocktail – and no better cocktail than a Sidewinder original, the Last Call. This uses both our Sauvignon blanc and the grappa that we make in house from our grape pomace (pressings).
Ingredients
- 4 oz Occasio Sauvignon Blanc
- ½ oz Sidewinder Grappa
- ½ oz grapefruit juice (fresh squeezed)
- 2 sprigs thyme
- dash of simple syrup (optional)
Directions
Combine all ingredients into a mixing tin. Shake and strain into a wine glass. Add ice, or as we do, frozen sauvignon blanc grapes. Garnish with a wedge or wheel of grapefruit and a sprig of thyme.
The Last Call – Angelica Variation
A grape-to-glass version of our winery cocktail
Long before modern craft cocktails embraced wine as an ingredient, wineries and taverns regularly prepared drinks built around the grape. In the 18th and 19th centuries, wine-based punches, cobblers, and sangarees were common ways to brighten young wines, showcase fortified wines, or simply create refreshing drinks for warm afternoons. These drinks often paired wine with citrus, herbs, or a small measure of fortified wine or brandy—keeping the character of the grape at the center of the glass.
Our Last Call – Angelica Variation follows that same tradition.
The original Last Call uses Sauvignon Blanc, fresh grapefruit, thyme, and our house grappa—an expression of the grape in both wine and spirit form. In this version, we keep the drink entirely within the world of wine by substituting our grappa with Occasio Angelica, a traditional California-style fortified wine made from Malvasia Bianca grapes and finished with our own Malvasia brandy.
Angelica brings gentle sweetness, citrus blossom aromatics, and a soft warming richness that integrates beautifully with Sauvignon Blanc. The result is a cocktail that remains unmistakably grape-based, with slightly lower alcohol and a rounder, more contemplative profile.
Fresh grapefruit brightens the drink with acidity and a hint of bitterness, while thyme adds a subtle herbal lift that echoes the savory notes often found in Sauvignon Blanc.
Ingredients
(Serves 1)
- 4 oz Occasio Sauvignon Blanc
- ½ oz Occasio Angelica (Malvasia Bianca fortified wine, ~18–20% ABV)
- ¾ oz fresh grapefruit juice
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- Frozen grapes or fresh ice
- Garnish: thyme sprig and thin grapefruit slice or twist
(The Angelica contributes natural sweetness, so additional sugar is rarely needed. If your grapefruit is particularly tart, a very small dash of simple syrup can be added to taste.)
Directions
- In a mixing glass, gently muddle one or two sprigs of thyme to release their aromatic oils. Use a light touch to avoid bruising the herb.
- Add the Sauvignon Blanc, Angelica, and fresh grapefruit juice.
- Fill with ice and stir gently for 15–20 seconds. Stirring preserves the wine’s texture and delicate aromatics better than shaking.
- Strain into a chilled wine glass or rocks glass over fresh ice or frozen grapes. (Frozen grapes chill the drink while adding a subtle burst of concentrated grape flavor without dilution.)
Garnish with a fresh thyme sprig and a thin grapefruit slice or twist.
The Angelica variation creates a softer, more rounded expression of the Last Call. The Sauvignon Blanc provides freshness and lift, the Angelica contributes honeyed citrus and floral depth, and the grapefruit ties everything together with bright acidity. It remains a cocktail that begins and ends with the grape—perfectly at home on a winery table.
