The Art of Carbonic Maceration: Our Playful Pinot Meunier
Let me tell you about something truly special. Greg La Follette, our co-founder and winemaking genius, has been doing some incredible things with Pinot Meunier for a long time. If you’ve never heard of this grape, don’t worry—you’re not alone. It’s usually hiding in the background of Champagne blends, but Greg has brought it front and center with a little magic called carbonic maceration. The result? A wine that’s pure fun in a bottle.
Our harvest crew at van der Kamp vineyard on Sonoma Mountain after the Pinot Meunier pick
A Vineyard with Serious Charm
First, let’s talk about where this wine starts: the van der Kamp Vineyard. Perched high up on Sonoma Mountain, its unique volcanic and riverbed sediment soils and cool mountain air make it perfect for growing grapes with real character. The van der Kamp family has been tending these vines for decades, and you can taste their care in every grape. Pinot Meunier thrives here, and Greg saw its potential to shine solo.
Why Carbonic Maceration? Why Not?
Here’s the deal: carbonic maceration is all about making wine that’s juicy, fruity, and just plain fun to drink. Greg thought it would be the perfect way to show off Pinot Meunier’s playful side. “This grape already had a natural brightness, juiciness and a hint of ebullience,” he says. “Why not lean into that and create something fun and delicious?”
Cole starting the carbonic maceration process by adding dry ice to the Pinot Meunier at van der Kamp Vineyard
The process is pretty wild. The morning of the pick, Greg drives his bullet-riddled Dodge Ram up to van der Kamp and the crew gently tosses whole grape clusters into a sealed tank right on the vineyard as flicks of dry ice are applied to add carbon dioxide. Without any oxygen, the grapes start fermenting from the inside out. It’s like they’re doing their own thing in there, creating flavors you just don’t get with traditional winemaking. Think juicy strawberries, ripe raspberries, and even a touch of bubble-gum.
How It All Comes Together
Here’s a quick rundown of how Greg makes this magic happen:
Harvest Time: The grapes are hand-picked at just the right moment—when they’re ripe but still have that zingy acidity.
Into the Tank: Whole clusters go straight into a sealed tank, and Greg pumps in carbon dioxide via dry ice chips to kick off the carbonic maceration.
Let the Grapes Do Their Thing: For up to 4 weeks, the grapes ferment inside their own skins, creating those bright, fruity flavors.
Press and Finish: After the magic happens, the grapes are gently pressed, and the juice finishes fermentation with wild, native yeasts. Greg keeps things hands-off to let the wine’s natural personality shine.
Bottle It Up: This wine doesn’t hang around in barrels for long. It’s bottled early to lock in all that vibrant, fruity goodness.
The Wine: Pure Joy
When you pour a glass of Greg’s carbonic Pinot Meunier, you’re in for a treat. It’s got this gorgeous light ruby red color and a nose full of fresh strawberries, cherries, and even a little banana. Take a sip, and it’s like a party on your palate—light, zippy, ebullient and bursting with juicy flavor. The tannins are soft, the acidity is bright, and the finish leaves you wanting more.
This is the kind of wine you serve slightly chilled, perfect for picnics, casual dinners, or just because it’s a random Tuesday and you feel like treating yourself. It pairs with everything or nothing at all. It’s wine that’s here for a good time, not a long time.
Winemaker, Evan Damiano tasting our Pinot Meunier with Chefs Eric and Laura Lee of ChefLCulinary
Come Taste It Yourself
The best way to experience this wine? Join our Wine Club or come visit us in Sebastopol or our shared tasting room at The Vault in Calistoga and you’ll get to taste this playful Pinot Meunier alongside our other incredible wines.
Final Thoughts
Our carbonic Pinot Meunier is all about having fun with wine. By combining the unique fruit of the van der Kamp Vineyard with the playful vibes of carbonic maceration, he’s created something totally special. It’s not just a wine—it’s a reminder to enjoy the little things, one sip at a time.