Niles, IL – February 7th, 2019 – Winesellers Ltd., the family-owned, global importer and marketer of fine wines, is proud to announce Vinum Cellars will be releasing a Twentieth Anniversary edition of CNW (Chard-No-Way!) Cuvee – Chenin Blanc and PETS – Petite Sirah from Clarksburg, California. These new releases come in screen printed bottles with the original throwback labels that celebrate Vinum Cellars’ story, founded in 1997 by first generation California winemakers Richard Bruno and Chris Condos. In the 1990s, they were following a dream and built a company funded on maxing out credit cards along with some help from family and friends.
CNW Chenin Blanc 2017, the 20th anniversary vintage, portrays the winemaking team hitchhiking with a sign reading, “WILL WORK FOR CHENIN.” The Chenin grapes continue to come from the exceptional vineyard farmed by Ken Wilson, a fourth-generation farmer in Clarksburg, California with vineyards established in 1922. The label was originally created as a light-hearted poke at an emerging Chardonnay market which turned its back on other varietals, like Chenin Blanc.
“It is still our belief that Chenin Blanc, when madewell, rivals some of the greatest white wines of the world,” says Co-Owner and Co-Winemaker Richard Bruno. The wine is made from cool climate grapes, is stainless steel fermented and aged for nine months.
After the success of the first vintage they decided to make a red counterpart to the CNW Chenin Blanc and produced a Petite Sirah, named “PETS,” which is the growers’ abbreviation for the varietal. The 18th vintage of Petite Sirah features the “PETS” label with a picture of Wilson’s dog, Tanker. The description of this wine is a metaphor inspired by the canine.
“It’s dark colored, long legged and bold, we feel this wine has the potential to be your best friend,” says Bruno. Part of what makes Clarksburg a special appellation for Petite Sirah and Chenin Blanc is the cooling trend that comes in from the San Francisco Bay everyday at about 3:30pm, which sweeps the heat out of the valley floor and allows the grapes to maintain their natural acidity.
Vinum Cellars is a versatile brand geared towards all wine consumers and trend-setting retailers and restaurants, with selections in 750ml and also available in 19.5-liter kegs for on-premise wine on tap. Retailing for $15 per bottle, PETS Petite Sirah 2016 & CNW Chenin Blanc 2017 are available now in this new packaging. Vinum Cellars wines will be available for sampling at Vinum’s forthcoming tasting room in the famed 1880s Greenwood Mansion, located at 499 Devlin Rd. in Napa, California sometime next year.
For more information on Vinum Cellars, PETS & CNW or where to purchase the wine, visit: www.winesellersltd.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
