Pelerin Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2011
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Pelerin, meaning "pilgrim" in French, symbolizes the ongoing quest to follow their passion — producing uniquely delicious wines. The dedication entails a simple path, one in which a mix of patient observation and thoughtful action captures the exuberance and complexity of each vintage.
After graduating UC Davis, Chris Weidemann honed his craft alongside winemakers John Kongsgaard at Newton Vineyard, known for his intense, dramatic wines; and Dean DeKorth at Morgan Winery, a master at creating wines with textural balance and complexity. Along the way, Cathy and he were very fortunate to forge relationships with Gary Franscioni of Rosella's and Sierra Mar Vineyard, as well as Rich and Claudia Smith of Paraiso Vineyard, giving them access to the best Pinot Noir and Syrah sites in the area.
As a small family-run winery, Pelerin maintains a tight focus on the quality of every single barrel, ensuring each bottling provides a distinctive and rewarding experience. Using sustainably and organically grown fruit where possible, the wines are hand-harvested and sorted, gently tended, and bottled without fining or filtration. For them, the deepest satisfaction comes from knowing Pelerin Wines play a part in creating memorable moments in your life: enhancing the warmth and richness of friends and family coming together to savor a great meal, and each other's company.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Perhaps the most highly regarded appellation within Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA benefits from a combination of warm morning sunshine and brisk afternoon breezes, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. The result is concentrated, flavorful wines that retain their natural acidity. Wineries here do not shy away from innovation, and place a high priority on sustainable viticultural practices.
The climatic conditions here are perfectly suited to the production of ripe, rich Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These Burgundian varieties dominate an overwhelming percentage of plantings, though growers have also found success with Syrah, Riesling and Pinot Gris.