Aviary Birds of Prey Red Blend

Aviary Birds of Prey Red Blend is a California Bordeaux-style red wine blending four classic varietals at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The 2018 vintage earned 86 points from Wine Enthusiast, where reviewer Jim Gordon highlighted its smoky, cedary character and maple-syrup-like depth — a distinctive profile that sets this blend apart from typical California reds at its price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Style: Bordeaux-Style Red Blend  |  Winery: Aviary Vineyards (Folktale Wine Group)

Production & Heritage

Aviary Vineyards, operating under the Folktale Wine Group, sources Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec from across California, selecting lots that deliver the winery's house style of ripe fruit balanced by structured tannins. What distinguishes Aviary's vineyard management is its use of live birds of prey — owls patrol by night and raptors hunt by day — providing natural pest control that reduces the need for pesticides. This raptor-based approach inspired the Birds of Prey label and reflects a commitment to working with the natural ecosystem rather than against it.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with brambleberries and cassis before moving into deeper layers of cigar box, baking spice, and roasted almonds. A subtle thread of dark chocolate rounds out the aromatics.

Taste: The entry is rich with blackberry and black cherry fruit, giving way to a mid-palate of vanilla, strawberry jam, and red berries. As the wine develops across the tongue, smoky cedar and dark chocolate emerge, supported by a round, medium-bodied structure that keeps the fruit forward without becoming heavy.

Finish: The finish is moderate in length with lingering notes of toasted cedar, tea leaf, and a faint almond bitterness that adds complexity. Soft tannins fade gradually, leaving a clean, fruit-tinged close.

How to Drink Birds of Prey

This blend drinks well at a slight cool — around 60–65°F — and benefits from 15–20 minutes of breathing time in the glass. It's versatile enough for both casual sipping and food-driven settings.

• Classic Sangria: The dark fruit and spice notes layer beautifully with citrus and brandy in a red sangria.
• Kalimotxo: The blend's round tannins and berry-forward palate make it a surprisingly good match with cola in this Basque cocktail.
• Mulled Wine: Warming spices like cinnamon and clove amplify the existing cigar box and baking spice character already present in the wine.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want something more interesting than a single-varietal pour
• Introducing Bordeaux-style blends to friends who typically drink straightforward Cabernet
• Backyard grilling sessions with burgers, ribs, or smoked sausages
• Building a case of affordable California reds for everyday drinking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Birds of Prey taste like? Birds of Prey leads with ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit, layered with dark chocolate, vanilla, and smoky cedar. The palate is round and medium-bodied with soft tannins and a tea-leaf finish.

How does Birds of Prey compare to other California Bordeaux-style blends? It sits in the accessible, fruit-forward tier of California Bordeaux blends, comparable to labels like The Prisoner or Educated Guess in style but typically positioned at a lower price point. Its distinguishing feature is a pronounced smoky, cedary quality noted by Wine Enthusiast.

Is Birds of Prey good for beginners? Yes — the soft tannins, generous fruit, and lack of aggressive oak make it an approachable entry point for drinkers exploring red blends or Bordeaux-style wines for the first time.

Where is Birds of Prey made? Birds of Prey is produced by Aviary Vineyards, part of the Folktale Wine Group based in California. The fruit is sourced from select vineyard sites across the state where owls and raptors serve as natural pest control.

What foods pair well with Birds of Prey? Grilled lamb chops work well with the wine's dark fruit and spice. Aged cheddar or Gouda complement its vanilla and chocolate notes. Smoked brisket echoes the cedary character. Mushroom risotto matches the earthy tea-leaf undertone. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa elements on the mid-palate.

What sizes does Birds of Prey come in? Birds of Prey Red Blend is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Birds of Prey worth the price? Birds of Prey positions as an entry-level to mid-range California red blend, delivering a four-varietal Bordeaux-style composition and natural vineyard practices that punch above its price tier. For a daily-drinking red with genuine complexity, it represents strong value.

Why Birds of Prey?

The use of live raptors and owls as natural vineyard guardians is not just a branding story — it's a functional pest-management practice that meaningfully reduces pesticide use and connects the wine to its environment. The four-grape Bordeaux structure (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec) delivers more layered complexity than most single-varietal California reds at this price level. Wine Enthusiast's 86-point rating on the 2018 vintage confirmed the blend's distinctive smoky, cedary personality as a genuine stylistic signature rather than a one-off. For drinkers looking for a California red that tells a real story and delivers verifiable quality, Birds of Prey earns its spot on the table.