Pinot and Panoramas at Papapietro Perry

Not too long ago, I took one of my best friends wine tasting at Papapietro Perry in Healdsburg, California. I’ve been drinking their wine for years thanks to my parents, who were members for a long time. Their Pinot Noir was a regular guest at our home-cooked dinners, and I basically grew up knowing it was the “special occasion” bottle.

One Christmas, I opened a 2014 Papapietro Perry Pinot to go with hot pot. Yes, Pinot Noir with hot pot. Don’t question the pairing, just trust me. My friend fell in love with it on the spot and has been talking about it ever since. So when we found ourselves planning a wine country trip, a visit to their tasting room felt like fate.

We kicked things off with a splash of their Rosé of Pinot Noir, which had already sold out. It was one of those situations where you sip it and immediately regret how much you like it. Sadly, no bottles came home with us, but the memory lives on.

Because I have a Priority Wine Pass, we scored a complimentary cheese plate. Without the pass, it’s $20, so I recommend packing your own cheese and crackers. Most wineries are cool with you bringing snacks, and it’s always smart to have something in your stomach when you’re tasting.

The atmosphere at Papapietro Perry is relaxed, welcoming, and full of that laid-back wine country charm. The winery sits on a hill alongside a handful of other tasting rooms and overlooks endless rows of grapevines. We were seated outside, and honestly, even if indoor seating had been an option, the view was too good to pass up.

Let’s get to the good stuff. The wine.

We started with the 2018 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. This one stole the show for both of us, and we each brought a bottle home. I’ve tasted the 2012 through 2018 vintages of this wine and they’ve all been consistently wonderful. The 2018 vintage stood out with aromas of cranberry, strawberry, pomegranate, and a little earthy depth.

Next up was the 2018 Leras Family Vineyards Pinot. Also from the Russian River Valley, but this one had a mineral edge that gave it a totally different vibe. It tasted like tart cherries, strawberries, raspberries, and had a touch of that forest-floor earthiness that Pinot fans live for.

Then came the 2018 Peters Vineyard Pinot. It was good. Really good. If someone brought it to a dinner party, we’d happily drink it. But it didn’t quite wow us the way the first two did. It leaned into warmer notes with flavors of raspberry, black cherry, vanilla, and some cozy spice that reminded me of cinnamon and cloves. I’m guessing it spent more time in oak.

We wrapped up the tasting with the 777 Clones Pinot Noir. A quick Pinot lesson here. The 777 clone is a Dijon clone that’s known for producing rich, dark, velvety wines. This one was all of that and then some. It had deep color, juicy dark cherry on the nose, and flavors of cherry cola and warm baking spice. If you ever see 777 on a label, you’re probably in for something lush and luxurious.

If you’re into Pinot Noir and love a good view with your tasting experience, Papapietro Perry is a must-visit in Healdsburg. Bring a friend, bring your favorite cheese, and prepare to fall in love with Pinot all over again.