2022 Two Shepherds, Hopkins Vineyard Pinot Meunier, Russian River Valley

This rare still red is crafted entirely from Pinot Meunier, a grape variety celebrated in Champagne but seldom seen as a standalone bottling. Sourced from the cool-climate Hopkins Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, the grapes benefit from the region's classic Goldridge sandy loam soils and maritime influence. Winemaker William Allen of Two Shepherds champions a minimalist approach, fermenting this wine with a significant portion of whole clusters and only native yeasts. The wine is then aged in neutral barrels to preserve the grape's delicate aromatics and bright acidity. It is a distinctive and expressive bottling that showcases the untapped potential of Pinot Meunier as a light-bodied red in California.