Louis/Dressner Selections
Louis/Dressner Selections is a wine importing company founded in the early 1990’s by Joe Dressner and his wife Denyse Louis. The “M” was added when Kevin McKenna joined forces with them a few years later, thus completing the LDM triumvirate.
LDM, as they are known, were never interested in scores, never interested in wines with “gobs of fruit,” and never interested in highly paid wine consultants. They are interested in low-impact, organic farming methods, and they are interested in elegant wines, especially those from the Loire Valley and Beaujolais; they were exploring these wines at a time when few others were. Their focus has always been on the vignerons, on the people who make the wines. Joe, Denyse and Kevin were visionaries, and like most visionaries, they suffered through some lean times, until the times eventually caught up with them. I think it's safe to say that LDM has become one of the premiere American Wine importers, with a stellar reputation for uncompromising quality that extends from the vineyard to the cellar.
Many of the producers in their portfolio are legends now: Domaine de la Pépière, Baudry, Pinon, Puzelat, Jean-Paul Brun, Desvignes, Descombes, Clos Rougeard, Clos Roche Blanche, Occhipinti, Foradori… and on and on.
Joe and Denyse's son Jules came on board shortly before his father's 's unfortunate and untimely death in 2011. Fortunately for us and those that value and appreciate their work, LDM has continued it's mission not only with their "legacy" producers but also finding new, boundry pushing, rule changing, engaged wine makers to bring to the American market. Joe may be gone but he left behind a wonderful company and a beautiful family– which includes his extended family of vignerons– with whom we have formed life-long, valued friendships. Thank you, Joe, thank you LDM.
-David Bowler, January 2016, ed. 2024