2018 Papapietro Perry Charles Vineyard Pinot Noir

Papapiertro Perry Winery is in Healdsburg. It was founded by Ben Papapietro and Bruce Perry. Papapietro is a San Francisco native of Italian heritage who grew up with a father who made wine in the basement. Perry is also a San Francisco native and came from a family that made wine for their own table. Papapietro and Perry met while helping harvest grapes in Sonoma County and by the 1990s were making their own wines. Along with their wives, the two men own and operate the estate. Grapes are sourced from Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Papapietro produces Zinfandel, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Mendocino AVA was established in 1984 and amended in 1989. It includes numerous sub-appellations. Mendocino AVA is entirely within Mendocino County, and the AVA is known for its Mediterranean climate. Vintners successfully grow Carignan, Charbono, Grenache, Zinfandel, Petit Sirah and Syrah. In cooler parts of the region Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are also grown. Mendocino County is home to nearly 600 vineyards, and many have been certified organic for decades, thanks to the region’s famous “green and sustainable” approach to agriculture and nearly everything else. Mendocino was named for 16th century explorers, a pair of brothers whose last name was Mendoza. Winemaking, however, didn’t start until the 19th century when some would-be gold miners decided it was more profitable to make wine than to pan for gold. Italian immigrants in the late 19th century continued to establish winemaking ventures.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.