Tess Bryant and Niccolo Coturri

Piquenique Wines is the project of Tess Bryant and Niccolò Coturri, based in the San Juan Islands, an archipelago in the Salish Sea between Seattle and Vancouver. Tess, based in Oakland, has imported Australian wines to the U.S. since 2018, introducing producers like James Erskine, Kyatt Dixon, and Monique and Tim of Manon Farm. Niccolò is a fourth-generation winemaker who previously worked with his family’s Sonoma Mountain Winery. Together, they launched Piquenique in 2020, creating terroir-driven wines and ciders while celebrating the islands’ agricultural traditions.

The pair produce primarily sparkling wines and ciders from organically grown grapes, apples, pears, quince, plums, peaches, blackberries, and medlar. Fruit comes from their own plantings and historic homestead farms, including heritage and unusual varieties suited to the local climate. By 2023, they had planted 100 apple trees, two acres of hybrid grapes, and five acres of vines, with plans for additional quince and pear trees, emphasizing biodiversity over monoculture.

Piquenique collaborates with inspiring local farms, including Blue Moon Farm on Waldron Island, The Inn at Ship Bay on Orcas Island, Oak Knoll Farm, Lopez Island Vineyards, and Midnight’s Farm. These partnerships provide fruit, support sustainable practices, and maintain the region’s historic orchard and vineyard heritage.

All production is handled by Tess and Nic, from picking and processing to bottling and labeling. They photograph the label images themselves, which are printed by a century-old Seattle print business. Bottles are made from 65% recycled glass and are reusable, while labels are plastic-free and removable with hot water, reflecting their commitment to sustainability and purity in every aspect of their wines and ciders.