16 Jun Pét-Nat (Sparkling Vermentino): Because Wine Should Be Fun
Some wines are born from tradition. Others are born from curiosity.
Our Sparkling Vermentino is a little bit of both.
Vermentino has always been a favorite grape of mine because it naturally carries a freshness that reminds me of an ocean sea breeze. Even grown here in Sonoma County, it retains a bright, coastal character with citrus, floral notes, and an energy that makes it incredibly refreshing.
The fruit comes from Raymond Burr Vineyard, a property I know well. In addition to making the wines, I help farm the vineyard, which gives me a unique connection to every vintage. When you spend time in the vines throughout the growing season, you develop a deeper understanding of the fruit and the possibilities it offers.
One year, that possibility looked like bubbles.
We produce traditional sparkling wines as well, but a Pétillant Naturel, or Pét-Nat, offers something completely different.
What is the difference between traditional sparkling wine and Pét-Nat?
Traditional sparkling wines follow a carefully structured process, while Pét-Nat relies on a more ancient method. The wine is bottled before primary fermentation is complete, allowing the remaining fermentation to create the bubbles naturally inside the bottle.
It’s a little less predictable, a little more hands-on, and a lot of fun. It’s also a much quicker process. Because it relies on its own fermentation, Pét-Nat can be made and released within a year of harvest, while traditional sparkling wines can take years to develop.
Of course, Vermentino doesn’t make things easy. Why?
The variety tends to carry a significant amount of pulp after pressing, and because the wine is bottled during primary fermentation, that material can remain suspended in the bottle. Early on, the wine appears cloudy, which is completely natural. After four months of aging on its lees, the solids settle to the bottom of the bottle and it’s time for disgorgement.
Disgorging removes the settled lees and pulp, cleaning up the wine while helping ensure that opening a bottle results in a celebratory pop rather than half the wine foaming onto the floor.
The finished wine is bright, lively, and energetic, with all the freshness we love in a still Vermentino wrapped in a stream of natural bubbles.
Cheers!
Adrian
