The wines from Papapietro are deceptively light in appearance—almost tawny-orange in the glass—yet deeply flavorful and complex. This Pinot Noir is loaded with ripe red cherry fruit layered with notes of black tea, bay laurel, bay leaf, and underbrush, creating sumptuous depth and remarkable complexity for such a young wine. It’s thoroughly enjoyable to drink and begs to be paired with a long, indulgent meal. Sourced from Peters Vineyard west of Sebastopol, it’s made from Pommard, 115, and 777 clones and aged for 11 months in 50% new French oak. Owned by Renae Perry and Ben and Yolanda Papapietro, and located in Healdsburg, Papapietro Perry Winery specializes in small-lot wines, sourced via long-held relationships with a handful of top local growers.

This single-clone Pinot Noir comes from the Leras, Bucher, and Peters vineyards in the Russian River Valley and was aged for 11 months in 80% new French oak. Light ruby with orange hues in the glass, it offers fragrant aromas of red cherry, Earl Grey tea, and a spicy, woody note that carries through on the medium-bodied palate. Tart cherry fruit, incense, and earth define the finish. It’s a beautifully structured wine that could almost be mistaken for a young Burgundy from Chambertin—*almost*—but its vibrant California character shines through. Owned by Renae Perry and Ben and Yolanda Papapietro, and located in Healdsburg, Papapietro Perry Winery specializes in small-lot wines, sourced via long-held relationships with a handful of top local growers.