Liana Estates

The Peju family are legends around Napa Valley. Over the last decade, over 25 of their wines have been rated 90+ points, with 15 winning gold or double gold medals. Their wines have not only been praised by Wine Spectator, but they’ve also been selected for Best of the Best, Best Buy, and Four Star Wine picks by QRW Magazine. Frankly, whenever we’re lucky enough to get some of their wines in the office, there’s always a fight over which of us get to be at the tasting.

Over the last few years the driving force behind Peju wines has been daughters Lisa and Ariana, the family’s second generation of winemakers. Trained in all aspects of the business by their parents, they’ve absorbed the family secrets and added their own unique vision towards carrying their family’s legacy into the future. Liana Estates, located in Carneros the region of Napa Valley, is part of that effort. The family’s second winery, led entirely by the daughters, comes out of a single-minded pursuit: “to produce distinct and extraordinary wines”.

Overlooking San Pablo Bay, Liana Estates is covered with thick morning fog and cool breezes rolling in off the ocean. These cool, oceanic effects create the perfect conditions for the cultivating a number of grape varieties. Pinot Noir, in particular, grows well here due to the fact that it generally prefers areas with long springs and falls—seasons with slightly cooler weather than most wine regions.

In the Liana Estates 2014 both the superb quality of the grapes and the incredible winemaking of the Peju sisters is on full display. This exquisite Pinot Noir leads with powerful aromas of cherry, layered with scents of sugar and pepper, with a hint of smoke. In the mouth, deep cherry continues to predominate, accompanied by an equal measure of plum. Notes of spice and cinnamon serve to round out this flavorful, elegant wine.