2017 Peterson Vineyard Pinot Noir Wins Double Gold At 2019 West Coast Wine Competition and is Now Available for Purchase in the Tasting Room & Online
ANDERSON VALLEY, CA – (March 27, 2019) –Lula Cellars, an independent ultra-premium winery located in Northern California’s lauded Anderson Valley, is proud to announce that their 2017 Peterson Vineyard Pinot Noir was awarded a Double Gold and 94 points at the 2019 West Coast Wine Competition (East Meets West) last month in Santa Rosa, California. This win is especially significant because the wine is the first release from winemaker Matt Parish, who joined the winery in June 2017.
Matt is a renowned winemaker whose skills span 25 vintages – from small luxury wineries to the world’s largest publicly listed wine company to a wine start up that features his own label. And after more than twenty years of winemaking, his skills shine bright with Pinot Noirs in particular.
“I have always loved Pinot Noirs, and this area of Northern California is very special,” states Matt. “The Peterson Vineyard, which was planted in 1999, is in the small mountain town of Comptche. Because it’s eight miles east of the coast and 700 feet above sea level, there is a dramatic cooling effect that promotes slow, even ripening and yields rich, concentrated flavors. We had lots of rain in 2017 and the growing season was temperate, producing very intense, flavorful fruit.”
The 2017 Peterson Pinot Noir is a blend of Pommard and Dijon clones 667, 777 and 115. The grapes were delicately handled and fermented into wine, using a traditional approach. The fermented grapes were then basket pressed into fine-grained French oak barrels for maturation. Five hundred and twenty cases were produced and bottled in July 2018. The wine has 13.5% alcohol with a total acidity of 6.0 g/L and a PH of 3.4. It exhibits a bright purple color, vibrant aromas and flavors of violets, cherries and wild berries with a focused palate that exhibits lovely intensity and persistence from start to finish. Suitable to be enjoyed now through 2026, the suggested retail price is $45.
In addition to the 2017 Peterson Vineyard Pinot Noir taking home a Double Gold at the West Coast Competition, 2017 Lula Cellars Founders Cuvée Pinot Noir Mendocino County ($50.00) and 2017 Lula Cellars Costa Vineyard Pinot Noir Mendocino County ($45.00) both won Gold and each had a score of 91. 2017 Lula Cellars Rescue Block Pinot Noir Anderson Valley ($60.00) and 2017 Lula Cellars Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Anderson Valley ($39.00) were awarded Silver. All of these wines are first releases for winemaker Matt Parish, and all will be released in mid-April 2019, with the exception of the 2017 Peterson Pinot Noir, which is already available both in the tasting room and online.
Lula handcrafts small batch wines made exclusively from Mendocino grapes. They produce Anderson Valley and Mendocino AVA wines – including Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Rosé and Cabernet Sauvignon, in addition to Pinot Noir. Their customer-friendly philosophy is echoed in every aspect of their business, especially the lively tasting room where guests can be found tasting wine at the hand-hewn redwood bar, with their four-legged friends happily milling at their feet. The pet-friendly tasting room is open seven days a week, no reservations necessary. Address: 2800 Guntly Rd, Philo, CA 95466. Hours: 11AM-5PM; 7 days a week. Phone: 707-895-3737.
Another great way to explore Lula’s wines is at the 22nd Annual Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Wine Festival (May 17-19, 2019). The three-day festival focuses on wines made from Pinot Noir grapes grown exclusively in Anderson Valley and includes a Grand Tasting, Winemaker Dinner, and technical workshops for winemakers. Lula will be pouring their 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir and 2016 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir at the festival. They will also host an open house on Sunday, May 19th at their tasting room.
For further information on Lula Cellars, please call 707-895-3737 or visit www.LulaCellars.com.
