2022 Cote West 'Heringer Vineyard' Pet Nat of Pinot Gris

The Heringer family has occupied the quaint farmhouse on their property since 1868, but it wasn't until 1970 that they realized that their farm, until then lined with row crops like alfalfa and tomatoes, was ideally situated for grape growing. And they were right to recognize that potential: benefitting from the cooling effects of both the Sacramento River Delta and the runoff of the San Pablo Bay, the moderate microclimate in the vineyard allows for slow, even ripening of Pinot Gris, offering it the texture and structure it needs. In 2022, Bret decided that the Heringer Pinot Gris he had been working with for still wines for years was perfectly suited for sparkling. He let the grapes macerate for a few days on its skin and later bottled the still-fermenting wine to capture the naturally occurring bubbles produced as fermentation completed. The result? A pet-nat that drinks with a particular elegance, and a savory brioche character usually reserved for champagne-method sparklers. That broadened texture is met by ripe peach, orange blossom, and clove, a distinct expression of that perfectly balanced Heringer Pinot Gris.