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Andrew Berge 1979 -2021

Andrew Berge 1979 -2021
It is with a very heavy heart that we share that our founding winemaker, Andrew Berge, has passed from a long fight with cancer.

Andrew was unique. He led a life many of us would like to live with a pursuit of simplicity, an appreciation of substance over style and an enduring sense of adventure. Often times, he would text us photos from some hike-in-only ski trail that would take him hours to get to because he was after some unknown experience - something less ordinary.

He was a tremendous professional and the perfect partner with whom to start La Pitchoune. His approach to winemaking is the same that we follow to this day: pick slightly early, only buy great grapes, and be in it for the long game. He taught us what it took to NOT worry about the grapes; to let them do their thing and be there to enjoy the ride.

He wanted La Pitchoune wines to be his legacy, to stand the test of time and improve with age. That plan is working.

But it would have been better if we could have opened a 15-year-old bottle of his wine with him. No doubt he would have smiled and said, in his usual understated way, “It’s tasting pretty good”.

We’ll miss everything about Andrew and feel gratitude for being part of his journey.

The above photo is from his friend Jerry Dodrill. We love this photo as it is exactly how we want to remember Andrew: headed off on some adventure – smiling.
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Magnums released for the holidays!

Magnums released for the holidays!

BIG news!

If you are like us, you haven't had much need for magnums so far this year. We ourselves went through a lot of 750s in March and April and tried finding good 375s come May so we could drink while still on Zoom calls. And now, due to recent events, we are out of sparkling wine! Sure we busted out some magnums at a few socially-distanced beach excursions over the summer, but really, we haven't had a chance to go big this year.

So, we are releasing some big things to get you through the holidays!

Normally, we sell out of our magnums of rosé and our magnums of our super secret "Choix de Merde" Pinot Noir (Andrew's personal blend) at our Key Party events. But not having those events in 2020 left us with a few of each of these that we are releasing to you.

Honestly, these are perfect for the holidays and we'd be honored to have our wine at your holiday table.

Carol is standing by to take your order: drop her a line here.  Or you can order online!

Cheers to getting some time to relax over the holidays. We all need it.

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Get your tickets to our fall harvest party

Come celebrate the 2019 harvest with us at van der Kamp Vineyard

Join us on October 5th!

Saturday, October 5th
2pm - 5pm
van der Kamp Vineyard


Stop by for a glass and say hello, take in the beautiful sights of Sonoma Mountain, and see how high you can get on the swing! We will be pouring several of our wines that you know and love, and even a few new ones to keep you guessing. We will also have a few small bites.  

Le Club members: You will have the opportunity to pick up your fall shipment. And DON'T FORGET to bring your keychain! Why you ask? You know why.

Tickets are just $24 and that includes a bottle of our 2017 Chenin Blanc.

Bring a friend, have some wine and come have some fun with us! 

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Tracy on KSRO rapping about making wine in Sonoma County and Taste of Sonoma

Tracy on KSRO rapping about making wine in Sonoma County and Taste of Sonoma

KSRO’s Michelle Marques talks with our very own Tracy Nielsen, owner and assistant winemaker at La Pitchoune Winery, about our upcoming appearance as a featured winery at the Taste of Sonoma on Saturday, August 31 at the Green Music Center in Rohnert Park. You’ll find La Pitchoune in the Grand Tasting, as well as pouring large format bottles in a special VIP area called The Library.

Listen to it here.

 

 

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2014 English Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir - 93 points from International Wine Report

 

 

The wine opens with aromas of beautiful fresh red berries, spring flowers, and exotic spices with underlying hints of currant, pomegranate and earthy nuances. On the palate this continues impress with its elegant texture, balance and focus. The fruit is fresh and pure leading into the silky finish. While this certainly shows some early appeal, this will ultimately benefit with additional bottle age. This gorgeous Pinot should thrive over the course of the next 8-10 years. 93 Points.

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Get your tickets for Taste of Sonoma on August 31st



We bet you do too. After all, the more wine aflowing, the better the party's going.

Which is why...we'll be pouring magnums at Sonoma's biggest wine event of the year! Join us at Taste of Sonoma to raise a glass and ring in the harvest season. Plus you'll get to:
  • Sample dishes by the county's best chefs
  • Indulge your inner wine nerd with talks by local growers and vintners
  • Stay hydrated with our rare magnums of rosé and Choix de Merde Pinot Noir

We'll be pouring at the Grand Tasting and Big Bottle Tasting so stop by and say hello!
_______

Saturday, August 31st
12pm - 4pm
(11am entrance for VIPs)
Green Music Center - Rohnert Park
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La Pitchoune Winery: The little one speaks volumes

Pretty great write up about Tracy and the winery in today's Aspen Daily News by Drew Stofflet.

"Dusty back roads and late afternoon sun come to mind. The rubber hits the road with exotic flavors of cherry and tamarind, while deep bergamot mixed with whiffs of vanilla reminded me of black Earl Grey boba tea. The texture rose to become almost silken, though not overly so. It was concise, with reasonable concentration levels. Acidity stood at attention and it finished with the heady Sonoma Coast bramble effect..."

Read the whole piece here.

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Latest photos from Clarksburg - La Pitchoune's Chenin Blanc is looking good for 2019 harvest!

There are fewer and smaller clusters than usual this year in the vineyard in Clarksburg. We are very excited about the quality of the Chenin Blanc coming out of the vineyard. Should be another great vintage. Similar to 2017. We are tasting sugars and are impressed with the development. Today, Clarksburg proves once again it can produce world class Chenin Blanc that can stand up to those coming out of the Loire Valley.


 

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It has been an amazing year for us here at La Pitchoune Winery!

The team here has much to be thankful for this year. We’ve had some incredible scores and placements for our wines:

- Our Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir got a Best of 2018 ranking and 94 Points by Wine Enthusiast


- Our VDK Pinot Noir got 95 Points from Robert Parker / Wine Advocate

- Our 2017 rosé was named one of the "20 Best Sonoma Rosés to Drink This Summer" by Sonoma Magazine.

And this year our wines made it onto the wine lists for several Michelin-starred restaurants including The French Laundry and Auberge du Soleil and is for sale on the east coast in New York City and Long Island for the first time ever. Our wine is even available in England now!

It’s been a great year!

But amid all the hype and scores and high-profile placements, we are equally excited to sit down with friends and club members and chat and share some wine. The most fun in all of this is sharing our wines with you. So we are thankful for each and everyone of you who have supported us as we were getting started and continue to come to our events. We hope to share a glass with all of you in the coming year.

Cheers,
Peter, Tracy, Andrew and Brett

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