NAPA VALLEY | WINE COUNTRY THIS WEEK<strong>Wine</strong>maker Profile:Andretti <strong>Wine</strong>ryBOB PEPIby Charles NeaveThere are actually two legends involved with the Napa Valley’sAndretti <strong>Wine</strong>ry. The first you know: racing champion Mario Andretti,whose name is on the front of the label and at the winery in thesouthern half of the Valley. The other name, perhaps not quite as wellknown outside of California, is that of consulting winemaker BobPepi, whose family is legendary in a different field: winemaking.Years ago Bob and his father started the Robert Pepi Family <strong>Wine</strong>ryin Oakville as a natural extension of fifteen years of owning vineyardsin the Napa Valley. There he developed a reputation for pioneering theSangiovese grape and wine made from that traditional Italian varietaland is now a staple at Andretti <strong>Wine</strong>ry.<strong>As</strong> personable and knowledgeable a person as you would like toknow, Bob has been at Andretti since the beginning. He was instrumentalin developing the “two-hearted canopy” trellising systemwhich greatly improved the quality of Sauvignon Blanc wine grapesand today is used throughout the industry. His philosophy is that greatwines are made in the vineyards, and as winemaker he guides theirdevelopment through the fermentation and aging process until thewines are ready for release. The wines he crafts are recognizable fortheir fruity character, even balance and complexity.Working at the Tuscan-style villa, winemaking facility, privatehospitality venue and 44 acres of vineyard that surround the estate,Bob took some time out during the beginning of this years’ crush tomake some observations on 2010.<strong>As</strong> to how the harvest looks this year, he said, “<strong>This</strong> has definitelybeen the most unusual growing season in the 30 years I’ve beenmaking wine in this area. The combination of the significant rain thatwe received through most of May and the cooler than normal springand summer temperatures led to some overly vigorous vines early on.<strong>This</strong> called for different approaches to vineyard management, butsomething worked and vines seemed relatively balanced by berrysizing. Next, all we had to worry about was a harvest that is 2-1/2 to3 weeks later than normal.“Even with the late September heat spike, we’re still behind. Thegood news is that even though we had some burned fruit from thespike – up to 25-30% in some vineyards - once this fruit is removedthe remaining fruit looks good, and we’re still left with what looks tobe a good quality and overall an average size crop. If we can avoid any38significant rain until early November I think this harvest will producesome high quality wine from a very challenging year.”That word ‘challenging’ may be a significant understatement about2010, but the fact that there is the potential for a great year is veryencouraging. But what about his favorite varietal, the most challengingone?“It’s hard to say which is the most challenging varietal. I think everyvariety presents its own challenges, especially if the winemaker istrying to coax the best expression of the variety from each lot of grapeswhile staying true to the style of wine that the grapes and the areawhere they grew are dictating. I feel a sense of accomplishment withany wine I’ve produced when I have succeeded in meeting the challengesmentioned above.”But to try the results, go to the winery’s tasting room on Big RanchRoad, about ten minutes from both Napa and Yountville. Any numberof their wines are available for tasting in a one-of-a-kind setting withbeautiful grounds, a courtyard, and an expansive patio facing the vineyards,and much more. It is always friendly and, at times, you’ll findMario or Bob in the tasting room, a story – like the wine – you cantake home with you.Andretti <strong>Wine</strong>ry’s Napa tasting room at 4163 Big Ranch Road isopen daily, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, updates onspecial events or to schedule one of your own, call (707) 259-6777 orgo to www.andrettiwinery.com.www.<strong>Wine</strong><strong>Country</strong><strong>This</strong><strong>Week</strong>.com
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