A New Chapter

I've been reflecting lately on the journey of running Peony Lane, and I've realized something important: there's so much more that I want to share with you. The story of our wines doesn't begin and end with what's in the bottle. It's a narrative that spans seasons, challenges, triumphs, and the daily rhythm of vineyard life. Without knowing the journey, it's hard to fully appreciate the destination.

That's why I've decided to use this newsletter as a more personal channel of communication. Going forward, I want to invite you deeper into the world of Peony Lane.

You'll get an insider's view of what it really takes to run a high-altitude, natural winery in Colorado. From the seemingly never ending wait for bud-break to a glory-filled harvest, and everything in between – I want to share it all with you. I want to foster a community of wine lovers who appreciate the craft, respect the land, and understand the passion that goes into every bottle.

Whether you’re an experienced wine-o or just love not getting a hangover from natural wine, I hope that by sharing this story more openly, you'll be able to take your enjoyment of these wines, higher.

So, expect these newsletters to be more candid, more detailed, and about once a month. I'll be sharing our successes, our challenges, and the lessons we learn along the way.With that said, Fall is just around the corner, and there's plenty happening at the vineyard that I'm excited to share with you.

Let's dive in.

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Last Month's Highlights

Before we dive into what's happening in the vineyard this month, let's take a quick look at some exciting events from August:

Release of 2021 Cabernet Franc:

Though Peony Lane is known for its delicate Pinot Noir, we can go big too. This Cab Franc is the most bold wine of the 2021 Vintage. It is just dying to pair with the juiciest bite of steak that you can imagine.

Wine Club Shipment:

Our first Wine Club shipment went out, featuring:

• 2021 Cabernet Franc: Exclusive first access for our club members.
• Estate Pinot Noir: A true representation of our vineyard's potential.
• Sovereignon Blanc: Our unique take on this classic variety.
• Landsend Red Wine Blend: The last available bottles from our inaugural vintage.

The next Wine Club Shipment is scheduled to arrive at your door just in time for Thanksgiving. Expect to receive a brand new release as well as some of the last bottles of and endangered wine stored deep in the cellar.

Join Wine Club

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Veraison: Nature's Signal

As September rolls in, our vineyard is undergoing a remarkable transformation. The grapes are slowly turning purple, a process known as veraison. It's a critical phase that marks the transition from berry growth to berry ripening. For us, it's the first sign that Fall is approaching and, to be completely honest, it is my natural reminder to look around and double check that I have everything ready for winemaking season because once that hits, life gets crazy.

Veraison is more than just a color change. It's a complex physiological process that signals the onset of ripening. During this time, the grapes begin to soften as they accumulate sugar and metabolize acids. Tannins develop, and the grapes start producing the compounds responsible for flavor and aroma. It's a pivotal moment that sets the stage for the final push towards harvest.

At our high-altitude vineyard, veraison presents unique challenges and opportunities. The cooler temperatures and increased UV exposure at this elevation can lead to a slower, more gradual ripening process. While this extends our growing season, it also allows for more complex flavor development and helps maintain the bright acidity that's characteristic of our wines. As we walk the rows, checking clusters and monitoring the progress, we're not just observing—we're dreaming of what's to come. That magic of a new vintage is just a few short weeks away.

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Preparing for Harvest: 2023 Reflections

As we move barreled wine into bottles to make room for the upcoming vintage, it's a natural moment to reflect on the 2023 harvest. Last year presented ideal conditions that resulted in the best crop since I took over the winery in 2019. With 2 years of recovery time after the devastating loss of our entire 2021 vintage, the vines were thriving. This resulted in our biggest and best crop of Pinot Noir grapes ever.

In my mind, the Estate Pinot Noir is always the Crown Jewel of each vintage. I won’t release this wine for another 6 months - 1 year, but I cannot wait to make these flavors accessible to more of you.

In addition to the Estate Pinot Noir, I also will be bottling a Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, both made from grapes grown in the Grand Valley AVA. Keep an eye out for an exciting blend of these wines and to hear which wine will be named the best barrel of the vintage to get bottled as the prestigious Satoshi’s Reserve.

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Farmers' Market Season Winding Down

We're in the final weeks of Farmers' Market season. If you haven't had a chance to visit our booth, we encourage you to stop by. It's an opportunity to taste our wines and chat about our natural winemaking process. I love these in-person tastings and miss them all Winter. There’s no better way to get to know a wine than by drinking it with the winemaker.

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Last Chance: Current Vintner's Select 6 Pack

Before we wrap up, I wanted to give you a heads up about an upcoming change to our Vintner's Select 6 pack. This carefully curated selection represents what I believe are our wines drinking at their absolute best right now.

The current Vintner's Select 6 pack includes:

• 2x Pinot Noir 2022
• 2x Tempranillo 2021
• 2x Sovereignon Blanc 2023
  

This selection is about to change, so if you've been enjoying these wines or have been curious to try them, now is the time to act. Order soon to secure this particular combination before we transition to a new selection.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the new selection—I'm excited to share my next round of top picks with you soon.

Shop Vintner's Select 6

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Closing Thoughts

Thank you for being a part of the Peony Lane community. Your support and enthusiasm for natural, Colorado wine fuels me through the most intense part of the season. I can’t wait to share this journey through “The Crush” with you.

Cheers,

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