A Father-Son Collaborative Wine Greater Than Any of the Individual Barrels
St. Helena, CA, January 30, 2024 – Continuously inspired by the wines of Loire Valley, Lang & Reed Napa Valley recently released their sixth bottling of their exploration of the Chenin Blanc grape in Napa Valley. A generation ago, Chenin Blanc was one of the most widely planted white grapes in the area. Now, there are a scant 17.5 acres. Lang & Reed’s 2022 Napa Valley Chenin Blanc is sourced from a tiny hillside vineyard on the eastern rim of the valley, just below Howell Mountain.
This wine’s vinification is a collaborative effort between winemakers John Skupny and his son, Reed Skupny. Reed has had his hand in making white wine on three continents – Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand, Chardonnay in Napa Valley, and Chenin Blanc in Chinon, France. For this wine, the grapes were whole cluster pressed, left to settle for a day, and then transferred into barrels – two new French oak barrels (Louis Latour & Gauthier) and two seasoned French oak. Half of the barrels were inoculated with selected yeast strains, while the balance was allowed to ferment on the indigenous yeast. The lees were stirred (battonage) weekly until one month before bottling. The final assemblage proved greater than any of the individual barrels.
Lang & Reed’s 2022 Napa Valley Chenin Blanc is a generous and effusive version of this unique grape. An exotic mix of stone fruit and honeysuckle exude from the aromas with almost sweet hints of creme brûlée. On the palate, the initial flavors are ripe peach, pear, and savory earth notes. As it expands, it gains vibrant complexity, with the fruit flavors complemented by hints of linden flower, lightly toasted almonds, and vanilla. This is a wine with great energy that has a viscous, rich styling with a persistent and pleasing finish.
About Lang & Reed Napa Valley
Located at 1244 Spring St in St Helena, CA, Lang & Reed is one of the few wineries in Napa Valley to specialize in 100% Cabernet Franc and explore the distinct charms of Chenin Blanc. They have long been inspired by and passionate about giving these varieties an opportunity to shine – true to type, pure in flavor. The wine-producing Skupny family has been creating expressive wines that are enjoyable to drink since 1996. Winemaking is a form of storytelling for the Skupny family, and Lang & Reed wines tell a tale of a multi-generational family business and their wonderful wine-filled life together.
Spring House, an historic Victorian that is now home to Lang & Reed’s tasting salon, is right off the hub of St Helena’s Main Street, where Tracey, John, Reed and Megan Skupny offer intimate, appointment-only tastings that allow visitors to get to know the family behind the brand, while they impart their affection for Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc. To learn more about Lang & Reed Napa Valley, their 2022 Napa Valley Chenin Blanc and other upcoming wine releases, visit their website (https://langandreed.com/) and follow them on Instagram (@langandreed) and Facebook (@langandreed).
