THE YEAR OF SANGIOVESE
SANGIOVESE IN THE NAPA VALLEY
It comes as a surprise to many that Sangiovese is the grape used for the well-known Chianti, made in the Tuscany region of Italy. With the wave of Italian immigrants in the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century, producing Sangiovese in Sonoma and Napa Valley was common. As Cabernet became king, it soon replaced the Sangiovese varietal in the valley.
LUNA'S LEGACY
2020 celebrates Luna’s 25th anniversary when in 1995, the winery was born at the foot of the Silverado Trail in the Napa Valley. The Luna team set out to produce cherished Italian varietals like Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese.
LEADING THE WAY
Twenty-five years later, esteemed winemaker Shawna Miller and CEO Andre Crisp lead the winery with unique Sangiovese sourced from some of the best vineyard sites in Napa Valley, including Game Farm Vineyard in Oakville. In these shallow, rocky soils, the stressed vines produce superior quality Sangiovese.
“We aim to make wines that are fun and food-friendly, and nothing represents that better than a versatile Italian wine. Sangiovese goes with every occasion and nearly every food item. That’s why we are celebrating Luna’s 25th anniversary, with the Year of Sangiovese.”
SHAWNA MILLER, CHIEF WINEMAKER
LUNA BLACK LABEL
SANGIOVESE OUR LUNA BLACK LABEL WINES ARE AVAILABLE TO WINE CLUB MEMBERS, AT OUR ESTATE WINERY, AND ONLINE
2016 Sangiovese Whole Cluster
Our 2016 Whole Cluster Sangiovese comes from high atop Atlas Peak Mountain. Adding a portion of stems in the fermentation contributes to herbal elements on the nose and gives a slightly different mouthfeel than our traditional Sangiovese fermentation methods.
APPELLATION
Napa Valley
BLEND
100% Sangiovese
This wine originated as an experiment using the fermentation techniques from our Pinot Noir. The result was delightful enough to bottle on its own for you to try.
The 2016 vintage experienced ideal growing conditions that produced perfectly balanced and condensed fruit.
TASTING NOTES
In addition to the classic Sangiovese aromas, whole cluster adds in earthiness, mushroom & dried herbs such as sage
VINIFICATION
Fermented at warm temperatures in small stainless steel bins with 30% stem inclusion (aka whole cluster)
TASTING CARD
2017 Sangiovese Riserva
Our 2017 Sangiovese Riserva comes from the Game Farm Vineyard on the Silverado Trail below Rector Creek Dam in Oakville. This vineyard has continuously produced the extraordinary grapes selected for our Sangiovese. It was chosen for its Brunello clone and shallow, rocky soil. In these soils, the stressed vines produce the superior quality Sangiovese.
APPELLATION
Napa Valley
BLEND
100% Sangiovese
The 2017 vintage experienced yields resulting in condensed fruit flavors and bold tannins that allow for great aging potential.
TASTING NOTES
Dried cherry, cedar, and lavender on the nose; velvety blackberry and plums on the palate; flavors of vanilla and lightly dusted cocoa powder on the finish
VINIFICATION
Warm temperature malolactic fermentation, 70% New French and Hungarian oak barrels for 20 months
TASTING CARD
2016 Sangiovese Classico
Our 2016 Sangiovese Classico comes from a variety of prized vineyards including the Game Farm Vineyard on the Silverado Trail below Rector Creek Dam. In these shallow, rocky soils the stressed vines produce superior quality Sangiovese. Additionally, we source Sangiovese from cooler regions throughout Napa Valley.
APPELLATION
Napa Valley
BLEND
100% Sangiovese
ACCOLADES
| 90pts | 90 points - 12th Annual American Fine Wine Competition |
| 90pts | 90 points - 13th Annual American Fine Wine Competition |
| 91pts | Gold - 91 points - 2020 Sunset International Wine Competition |
The 2016 vintage experienced ideal growing conditions which produced perfectly balanced and condensed fruit. This wine is perfectly approachable at a young age, however it will keep improving for the next five to seven years.
TASTING NOTES
Violets, chocolate raspberries, black pepper, and vanilla on the nose; Vanilla, toffee, and cherry cola on the palate
VINIFICATION
Warm temperature malolactic fermentation, 30% new French and Hungarian oak barrels for 20 months
TASTING CARD
2016 Canto Super Tuscan
Our signature red wine blend, Canto is the culmination of an inspired vision, skillful winemaking and an intuitive search for the finest grapes.
APPELLATION
Oakville & Atlas Peak, Napa Valley
BLEND
50% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot
ACCOLADES
| 91pts | 91 points - 12th Annual American Fine Wine Competition |
| 92pts | 92 points - James Suckling |
| 93pts | Gold, Best of Class - 93 points - 2020 International Women's Wine Competition |
Traditionally, Canto has been a "Super Tuscan" blend at Luna Vineyards. In 2016, we combined reserve selection Sangiovese from the Game Farm Vineyard in Oakville with Merlot from Howell Mountain, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak.
All of our fruit was handpicked and sorted before going into the crusher, which gently crushes the berries. They are then sorted by hand a second time, ensuring that only the best grapes make it into the wine. We allowed a very warm fermentation, to extract the most possible flavor, texture, and color from the grapes.
The 2016 Canto has a dark, inky hue complemented by velvety, cocoa infused tannins. The tannin structure will allow this wine to age gracefully to 2025 and beyond.
TASTING NOTES
Dark berries, anise, clove, vanilla and cedar on the nose; blackberry, mocha, nutmeg, toffee, and wild blueberries on the palate
VINIFICATION
Lots aged separately in oak barrels for 20 months
TASTING CARD
2019 Minuet Sangiovese Rosé
With its playful mix of red fruits & berries, and tantalizing acidity, Luna's 2019 Minuet Sangiovese Rosé is nothing shy of summertime in a glass.
APPELLATION
Atlas Peak, Napa Valley
BLEND
100% Sangiovese
This rosé was made with a blend of fruit from Atlas Peak Sangiovese and northern Calistoga using the saignée method after 6 hours of skin contact. These two vineyards produce beautiful, varietally correct Sangiovese making this "Rosato" Rosé a fun and feminine prelude to the barrel aged full-bodied wines.
Luna's 2019 Sangiovese Rosé wine is full of strawberry and watermelon.
TASTING NOTES
Notes of dried cherries and watermelon. Finish of strawberry and basil.
VINIFICATION
100% stainless steel
TASTING CARD
LUNA WINEMAKER'S RESERVE
AVAILABLE AT FINE RESTAURANTS AND RETAILERS NATIONWIDE
2017 SANGIOVESE
Hailing from our favorite vineyards in Napa Valley, our 2017 Sangiovese is crafted with a blend of Hungarian & French oak for a silky texture that highlights the traditional flavors of dark berries, cherry cola, and subtle clove spice.
APPELLATION
Napa Valley
BLEND
100% Sangiovese
SRP
$45.00
TASTING NOTES
This wine begins with the perfumed aromas of violets, chocolate raspberries with hints of black pepper and vanilla. The big fruit flavors of cherry continue on the palate in a full-bodied manner with a touch of vanilla and toffee.
VINIFICATION
40% New French & Hungarian Oak, 60% Neutral Oak