Peter Paul Wines
Brief History
Peter T. Paul, originally from New Hampshire, started his California winery in the mid-2000’s. While it showed some success over the years, including a great run at Premier Napa Valley in the early 2010’s, Peter Paul Wines was at a crossroads by 2016. That same year, my employer Global Wine Co. closed its doors and I went from holding an importer’s dreamjob to facing a choice – do I keep doing “the buyer thing” or shift gears to manage a small Sonoma brand, which happened to be owned by Peter T. Paul, one of Global Wine Co’s investors? Hence, I joined Peter Paul in mid-2016, despite the fact, or because(?) it was a little frightening.
Winery Philosophy
At its heart, the ideal of our winery has not changed – to explore the sunny temperament of North Coast fruit while retaining the elements of each grape’s DNA and European heritage. I’m happy with a relatively full-bodied style as long as the wine has proper manners. I will happily accept richness and density if it avoids confection or clumsiness. We are somewhat of a hybrid – at once single-vineyard bottlers while being micro-negociants, and I use both formats of production to complement each other. In fact, whenever we do trade-seminars, I am as transparent as possible regarding our sourcing and production practices, including my love of blending trials.
Since 2016
After upgrading and streamlining grape contracts, skus, labels, and website, Peter Paul is now in fit shape for the future. The result is a leaner, market-focused virtual winery with ~2000 case annual production. I make six wines: an appellation label and a “Reserve” tier of three varieties – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Under our importer license, we also bring in a cuvee of Grand Cru Champagne by Lallier, finished in partnership with Peter Paul Wines. Approximate volume is 200-350 cases for each of our SKU.
Our site-specific efforts are Bacigalupi Chardonnay in Russian River and Terra de Promissio in the Petaluma Gap. Also, while our “spiritual center-of-gravity” remains in the Sonoma Coast, Napa Valley figures importantly for the brand.
Awards
Named one of “The Year’s Best US Cabernets” 2016 Peter Paul Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
93 Points – Wine & Spirits Magazine Dec 2019 Issue
2016 Peter Paul Napa Valley Master’s Blend – 92Pts Wine & Spirits Magazine
2017 Peter Paul Bacigalupi Chardonnay – 93pts Wine Advocate.
2017 Peter Paul “Mary” Russian River Pinot Noir – 93pts Wine Advocate
If you want to know more about Peter Paul Wines, head over to the website and say hello that way.