Stamped, Mailed & Uncorked: The True Story Behind Mailing May Sauvignon Blanc

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At Post House Wines, every bottle in our cellar tells a story deeply rooted in postal history. Our farm’s main building originally served as the local Raithby post office, and we honor that heritage across our labels.

However, few stories in our collection are as intriguing—or as delightful—as the historical event that inspired our Mailing May Sauvignon Blanc.

Beyond its vibrant aromas of tropical fruit and sea-breeze minerality, this wine carries the legacy of a legendary moment in American postal history: the era when children were legally mailed across the country.

The Incredible True Story of Charlotte May Pierstorff

The year was 1914. In Idaho, USA, a vibrant 5-year-old girl named Charlotte May Pierstorff wanted desperately to visit her grandmother in Lewiston, located 73 miles away.

There was only one problem: May’s parents could not afford the $1.55 train ticket required for her journey.

Refusing to let poverty stand in the way of a family reunion, her parents discovered a remarkable loophole in the newly created U.S. Parcel Post system. Established in 1913, the postal service allowed packages up to 50 pounds to be shipped by mail. Young May weighed just under the limit at 48.5 pounds.

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           THE "MAILING MAY" HISTORICAL DISPATCH (1914)
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• PASSENGER:       Charlotte May Pierstorff (Age 5)
• WEIGHT:          48.5 lbs (Under the 50 lb limit!)
• POSTAGE PAID:    53 Cents in stamps attached to her coat
• ROUTE:           Grangeville to Lewiston, Idaho (73 miles)
• ESCORT:          Cousin Leonard Mochel (Mail Car Clerk)
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Her family attached 53 cents in postal stamps directly to the collar of May’s small fabric coat. She was handed over to her mother’s cousin, Leonard Mochel, who happened to work as a clerk on the train’s mail car.

May traveled in the mail car alongside letters and parcels, and upon arrival in Lewiston, duty-bound mail carrier Harry Morris personally delivered her to her grandmother’s front door!

Between 1913 and 1915, several children across America were stamped, mailed, and safely delivered by postal clerks because parcel post was by far the cheapest mode of transport available—until the Postmaster General officially banned human mailing in mid-1914.

From Historical Curiosity to Coastal White Wine

When we created our single-variety Sauvignon Blanc, this legendary tale of ingenuity, adventure, and refreshing simplicity provided the ultimate inspiration. Just as young May made her historic journey across the rails, our Mailing May Sauvignon Blanc brings a sense of joy, story, and refreshment straight to your glass.

+------------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| TECHNICAL PROFILE                  | SENSORY ATTRIBUTES                 |
+------------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| • Grape Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc| • Hue: Brilliant pale straw        |
| • Region: Helderberg / Raithby     | • Aromatics: Passion fruit, guava  |
| • Ocean Proximity: ~7km (False Bay) |   & fresh green figs               |
| • Alcohol: 13.0%                   | • Palate: Saline minerality with   |
| • Total Acid: 6.0 g/L | pH: 3.29    |   lively, refreshing acidity   |
+------------------------------------+------------------------------------+

Terroir & Winemaking: The Helderberg Coastal Advantage

Great Sauvignon Blanc is defined by its growing environment. Our vineyards sit elevated on the Raithby ridge in the Helderberg region, where cool Atlantic breezes meet ancient, granite-rich soils.

Atlantic Saline Breeze

Located roughly 7 kilometers from False Bay, the vines are exposed to afternoon maritime breezes. This sea air moderates temperatures during hot summer days, allowing the grapes to retain their natural tartaric acidity while accumulating complex tropical flavors.

Minimal Intervention Freshness

In the cellar, we focus on preserving pure fruit expression. The grapes undergo gentle pressing and cool stainless-steel fermentation. The result is an unadulterated white wine that captures both tropical charm and ocean minerality.

Tasting Notes: What’s in the Glass?

  • The Nose: An expressive bouquet opens with punchy passion fruit, ripe sun-drenched guava, and crisp green fig leaves.
  • The Palate: Upfront fruit notes transition into a refined, refreshing saline minerality that reflects our ocean proximity.
  • The Finish: A lively, dancing acidity cuts cleanly across the tongue, delivering a crisp, dry finish that makes it remarkably easy-drinking.

Perfect Culinary Pairings

Mailing May’s bright acidity and coastal minerality make it a fantastic companion at the dining table:

  1. West Coast Seafood: Pair with fresh oysters, grilled calamari tubes, linefish with lemon butter, or steamed mussels.
  2. Zesty Starters: Complements goat cheese crostini, fresh asparagus risotto, or salad dressed with cilantro and lime.
  3. Summer Aperitif: Enjoy well-chilled (8°C–10°C) on a warm afternoon on the patio.

Order Mailing May Direct from the Estate

Ready to share this historic bottle with friends at your next gathering?

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