Beverage of the Week (BOW)

Product Story

Papapietro Perry specializes in Pinot Noir, with 10 out of their 12 wines showcasing this Burgundian grape. Papapietro Perry offers several single-vineyard Pinots, as well as appellation designations like this Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from 2022. The Sonoma Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA) is one of California’s largest appellations. This AVA covers nearly 480,000 acres along the Pacific Coast in Sonoma County from the San Pablo Bay to the northern border along the Mendocino County line. Their winemaking regimen begins with cold-soaking the grapes for two to three days before adding different types of yeast, which are explicitly cultured for Pinot Noir. During the seven to 12-day fermentation, they hand-punch each fermenter, sometimes as often as five or six times a day, to ensure that the temperature doesn’t get too warm. Once fermentation is complete, they press the fruit and transfer the wine into Francois Frères French oak barrels. This wine rested in barrels (30% new and 70% one to two years old) for 11 months. It was bottled on August 14, 2023, and rested at the winery for months before release. The 2022 vintage was a classic for Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, and this wine perfectly embodies this style. 4.5 Stars/95 points.

Brand Story

Papapietro Perry Winery is a family-owned winery in Sonoma County, CA. The project was born from humble beginnings in Ben and Yolanda Papapietro’s garage in 1980. Ben is a naturally talented winemaker; his friends and family loved his Pinot Noir. In 1998, Ben was joined by his friend Bruce Perry. Bruce found space at Windsor Oaks Winery, and the wines were made there until they moved to their current location at Timber Crest Farms in 2005. The wines earned critical acclaim from their first release, and the awards haven’t stopped. Papapietro Perry are Pinot Noir specialists, with the majority of their wines being crafted from this popular varietal. The fruit for these wines is frequently sourced from single vineyards, often family-owned. Ben has long-lasting relationships with many of the vineyard owners — the symbiotic energy is high. They also produce a small amount of Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and a Rosé of Pinot Noir. Most of the 8,000 cases produced annually are sold directly to consumers. We love their wines and their story and look forward to enjoying these wines through the years.