Lepiane - Grenache - Black Oak Vineyard

Overview: L.A. Lepiane Wines was established in 2013 with the simple goal of crafting vibrant, exciting, balanced wines made by my own two hands.

The name of my project is a nod to my great grandfather, Luigi A. Lepiane, who came from Piane Crati in Calabria, Italy with a dream of making a successful life for his family in the New Country. He settled in Hollister, California, where he established a grocery store and his own winery, L.A. Lepiane.

Three generations later, that deep Calabrian love of food and family guided me through my education and career. I studied biology and Italian at U.C. Santa Barbara, devoting a semester to studying abroad in Siena, Italy, where my love for Italian food and wines turned into a healthy obsession. Later, while earning my master’s degree in Viticulture from U.C. Davis, I jumped at the chance to work for one of the top wine producers in Barolo, Italy, making some of the best wines in the world.

Tasting notes: The wine was fermented with 50% whole clusters in a 1.5 ton open-top bin. After 30 days it was pressed into neutral French oak where it aged for 21 months and then bottled in June 2020. In the mouth, the textured layers show flavors of red berry, olive, and baking spice.

Pairing: Pairs well with a wide range of foods: lamb tagine, grilled veggies, or smoked fish could all work.

Points: 9, Wine Enthusiast

Format/ABV: 750 ml/12.5

In certain circumstances, a specific vintage may not be available. If this is the case, a comparable vintage of the same wine will be substituted for online orders. If shopping in store, please check the bottle for the appropriate vintage. If you have a question about a specific vintage that is in stock, please email wine@kegnbottle.com