2022 LOLA Artisanal Series Calistoga Petit Verdot

LOLA Petit Verdot is grown on the historic Pocai vineyard in Calistoga, which has been continually family owned and farmed since 1906!

This historic property and it rocky alluvial soil produces grapes of the utmost intensity and concentration so you’ll find our Petit Verdot to be a very dark, rich and intense red wine, making it somewhat unique for the LOLA lineup as most of our reds are pretty light on their feet. Petit Verdot or “little green”, is named such because traditionally in its native region of France, the varietal struggles to ripen and is even know to still have small green berries at the time of harvest, giving the finished wine a firmness and grip on the palate and slight vegetal aromas on the nose that overtakes much of the beauty that this varietal can achieve grown in a region where it can stay on the vine late in the season and ripen properly. It is for this reason that it is traditionally used as small blend component in it’s native Bordeaux - to firm up the mid palate of Cabernet and Merlot contributing structure.

However, in California, where we have more consistent weather and a longer growing season in general, Petit Verdot thrives and finds its balance and harmony with nature . Here in Calistoga, it is allowed to fully ripen year to year, out of its ‘green’ phase and into small, concentrated, dark, sweet berries that ferment into a wine that shows intense violet and blackberry aromas with subtle hints of leather and graphite. The finished wine is dry, rich, structured and very flavorful with a soft smooth mouthfeel and lengthy finish. Producing a balanced 100% Petit Verdot is a rare feat. We’re very proud of this wine and the beautiful distinct power it shows in the glass. 80 cases produced. Unfined, Unfiltered.