Peter Paul Winery
Napa, California - Wines from Dry Creek, Russian River, Napa

About the Winery | Russian River Chardonnay | Dry Creek Valley Serracino Zinfandel | Napa Valley Merlot | Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

About the Winery
The pursuit of fine wine requires an understanding of the vineyards from which grapes are sourced, a respect for the hand that nature deals us each vintage, and an understanding of how best to highlight the essence of terroir through minimal handling and other fermentation techniques in the cellar. At Peter Paul Wines, we bring in Chardonnay from the Pacific-cooled Russian River Valley and Mendocino County, Zinfandel from warmer Dry Creek Valley, and Cabernet Sauvignon from the eponymous Napa Valley.

Each vineyard from which we source grapes has its own distinct character that requires special attention. We barrel ferment our Chardonnay to best integrate the plush fruit with toasty oak. Zinfandel, grown on 80-year-old vines, is punched down by hand in a traditional manner not unlike that practiced by the people who planted the vines nearly a century ago. And our Cabernet is gently crushed and then pumped over to maintain a firm, yet elegant, tannin structure. Barrel aging occurs mostly in French oak.

The idea is not to cover up in wood what the vineyard produces in flavor. M Squared consulting winemakers, Daniel Moore and Jeff Morgan, use time-honored methods in a modern tradition to bring each wine to fruition at its own speed. The resulting wines show elegant structure, yet don't hold back on flavor. Ultimately, the results can best be appreciated in your glass.

The following Peter Paul wines are available in Connecticut:

2006 Russian River Chardonnay SOLD OUT
The 2006 vintage was marked by a late spring that extended the growing season well into October. This additional "hang time" allowed the grapes to reach full maturity and yield flavors expressing the essence of the vineyard and the vintage. Grown on West Side Road bench land sloping down toward the Russian River, these Chardonnay grapes were whole-cluster-pressed. The juice was settled for 24 hours prior to being racked to barrels.

During a long, cool fermentation, the wine was stirred on its lees every two weeks to promote a natural, malolactic fermentation as well as richness and complexity on the palate.

Pear and honeysuckle aromas offer an enticing introduction followed by crisp acidity on the palate, which gives backbone to the ensemble. As the wine opens in the glass, its layers of complexity are revealed — a lovely marriage of fruit and floral character framed in subtle, toasty oak. The finish gives way to a clean minerality that echoes the vineyard’s terroir.

2005 Serracino Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel
A single-vineyard Zinfandel produced from 80-year-old vines grown by the Serracino Family in Northern California’s Dry Creek Valley. Elegantly styled, it sports a core of black cherry and cassis, followed by hints of clove, black pepper and anise. Finishes with toasty vanilla!

2002 Peter Paul Napa Valley Merlot Limited Quantity
The Peter Paul Napa Valley merlot fruit was harvested from the Jaeger Vineyard within the Oak Knoll district, immediately south of the Stags Leap district. The soils are alluvial gravelly clay loam with good drainage and the climate is influenced by its proximity to San Pablo Bay. The slightly cooler conditions result in slower maturing fruit and retention of optimal fruit chemistry.

The grapes came from selected mature vines of 30 - 35 years, with very low yields. Prominent aromas and flavors of cherry, boysenberry and blackberry together with restrained oak characteristics of vanilla and spice. The body shows a delightful balance of fruit and richness in the mouth, with a firm clean finish. The wine drinks well now and will lay down nicely. Barrel lots were sampled for optimal flavor and balance, and chosen barrels were blended with 8% Rutherford Bench cabernet and a trace of cabernet franc.

BEST OF CLASS/GOLD - California State Fair Wine Competition, 2006
GOLD MEDAL - Tasters Guild International Wine Competition, 2006
CRITICS PLATINUM AWARD - Critics Challenge International Wine Competition, May 2005
GOLD MEDAL-SWEEPSTAKES - 12th Monterey Wine Competition, March 2005
BEST OF CLASS/GOLD MEDAL - Savor Wine Country Magazine's "North of the Gate" Wine Competition, April 2005

2002 Peter Paul Napa Valley Cabernet Limited Quantity
This wine is still young, showing complex aromatics with clove, raspberry, cherry, sage and cedar with a bit of vanilla and oak. It is medium weight now, and will get heavier as time goes by. A very well-balanced wine that will maintain and improve far into the future. Blend: 80% Cabernet, 18% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec.

GOLD MEDAL - Los Angeles International Fair Competition, 2006
GOLD MEDAL - Tasters Guild International Wine Competition, 2006
GOLD MEDAL - Monterey Wine Competition, 2006