Mendocino County Winery Introduces New Pinot Noir to their Repertoire; Participates in Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association’s Annual Pinot Noir Festival: May 19-21, 2017
PHILO, CA — (April 19, 2017) — Lula Cellars — a limited production, ultra-premium winery located in the Deep End of Anderson Valley, California — is pleased to announce the release of their newest wine, the 2014 Docker Hill Pinot Noir, in conjunction with the release of three additional 2014 vintages: the 2014 Mendocino Pinot Noir, the 2014 Costa Vineyard Pinot, the 2014 Peterson Vineyard Pinot Noir. Additionally, Lula Cellars is pleased to be participating in the 20th Annual Pinot Noir Festival, put on by the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association from May 19-21, 2017, and hosting the festival’s Casual BBQ on the Lula Cellars events lawn on Friday, May 19.
The 2014 Docker Hill Pinot Noir ($50) is the first vintage off the Docker Hill Vineyard and was planted in 2010. Located in Comptche, a mountain town located eight miles southeast of Mendocino, this vineyard sits above the morning fog allowing the grape’s ripening process to begin much earlier than vines that lay among the fog on the valley floor, thus producing a varietal that’s robust in concentration of color and flavor. Made from a blend of five superior clones, each harvested and fermented separately to maximize its unique character, the 2014 Docker Hill Pinot Noir is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, then blended and aged for another six months to produce a deep, rich wine with hints of dried fruit such as currant and blackberry. This big and bold pinot pairs well with heartier dishes such as Beef Bourguignon. This wine can be enjoyed now or can rest for another three to five years to develop greater complexity.
Other new releases include:
- The 2014 Costa Vineyard Pinot Noir ($45) – This 2014 vintage marks the third release of this single vineyard source for Lula Cellars. The deep-rooted vines from the Costa vineyard take on earthy soil characteristics that produce intensely flavored grapes for a wine that is silky yet offers great structure and classic aromatics of tea and rose petal. This opulent Pinot Noir’s long, sumptuous finish is delightful with any beef dish and pairs exceptionally well with sautéed mushrooms. While suitable for drinking now, this wine will continue to develop greater complexity over the next three to five years.
- The 2014 Mendocino Pinot Noir ($45) – The 2014 vintage marks the seventh release of Lula Cellar’s Mendocino Pinot Noir. Blended from grapes from the winery’s Peterson and Costa vineyards located just above sea level at the Mendocino coast, this varietal is a beautiful aromatic, flavorful and balanced wine that is a result of the vineyard’s marine-influenced climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The grapes from the Costa vineyards give the wine its fruitiness while the grapes from the Peterson vineyards provides its beautiful ruby garnet color. The blending of these grapes result in a wine with an elegant finish of profound structure and balance. Rich and vibrant on the plate, hints of cranberry, and cherry flavors are framed by aromas of anise and fennel. Delicious to drink now with chicken, pork, lamb or beef, this regal, cool-climate pinot noir will reveal itself with greater complexity from another 3-5 years of bottle age.
- The 2014 Peterson Vineyard Pinot Noir ($45) – this varietal is the winery’s premium Pinot Noir and is sold exclusively to wine club members. The 2014 harvest illustrates an agile balance between ripe fruit and lively acidity thanks to the abundant sun and cool evening temperatures this vineyard receives. Its four-clone blend produces a beautiful deep ruby-garnet color with aromas of bay leaf and thyme. Succulent plum and Bing cherry fruit leads to a long, flavorful finish on the palate. While this rich and vibrant Pinot Noir is ready to serve at your next dinner party, it will also continue to develop greater complexity with another 3-5 years of bottle aging. Awarded a Gold medal at the 2017 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge (92 point rating).
Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival
Lula Cellars kick-offs the Pinot Noir Festival weekend by hosting a Casual BBQ and an evening filled with great food and wine on Friday, May 19. Attendees can mingle with the winemakers and taste Pinot Noirs from near and far while noshing on some amazing BBQ from Chef David LaMonica and listening to live music blues and rock-n-roll. Event starts at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 and non-refundable but may be transferred if unable to attend after purchase. Tickets can be purchased at, http://avwines.com/pinot.html
Lula Cellars will also participate in the festival’s Grand Tasting held at Goldeneye Winery on Saturday, May 20, where it will be pouring its 2013 Anderson Valley Pinot, and they’ll conclude the weekend with an open house Sunday, May 21, where festival-goers can stop by the winery and taste its full selection of varietals paired alongside delicious grilled small bites.
The Grand Tasting takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Goldeneye Winery, located at 9200 Hwy 128 in Philo, CA. Grand Tasting tickets at $125 are available at $150 from April 16 until they are sold out. Tickets can be purchased at, http://avwines.com/pinot.html. Tickets are non-refundable. Please no children or pets. Sunday open houses are held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for all participating wineries and are free and open to the general public. For further information on the 20TH ANNUAL PINOT NOIR FESTIVAL, please visit http://www.avwines.com/anderson-valley-pinot-noir-festival/ or call 707.895.WINE.
About Lula Cellars
Lula Cellars is a small production, ultra-premium label with a yearly case production of 2,800 cases, comprised of Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Dry Gewurztraminer, Rosato (Rose of Pinot Noir) and Pinot Gris. Lula Cellars produces wines entirely from vineyards in Mendocino County, California. Since 2010, Lula Cellars has built a reputation of integrity, positive customer relations and stellar wines. The goal of Lula Cellars is simple: to produce quality, world class wines and to offer them at prices that are reasonable, by selling directly to consumers. Winemaker Jeff Hansen, a twenty-eight year wine industry veteran, named Lula Cellars for his maternal grandmother Lula, who was born in 1879 and lived to the age of 89.
For further information on Lula Cellars, please visit www.lulacellars.com.
About the Lula Cellars Property & Tasting Room
Lula Cellars makes its home on a 22-acre property in Philo, nestled amongst the rolling hills of bucolic Anderson Valley. For festival-goers, or travelers to Mendocino County in general, Lula Cellars’ tasting room offers a unique experience for wine tasting. In addition to a tasting room, the property (with a quarter mile of frontage along Hwy 128 in Philo) features a pond, a 15-acre Pinot Noir vineyard, a small-production winemaking facility, and a 10,000 square foot ‘Events Area’ available for weddings and other private events.
Located at 2800 Guntly Road in Philo (at the corner of Hwy 128 and Guntly Road), next door to Handley Cellars, the pet-friendly tasting room offers stunning views of the surrounding property and the lauded Pinot Noir growing area known as “The Deep End” on the west end of the Anderson Valley.
Lula Cellars tasting room is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To contact the tasting room, please call 707.895.3737.
