Giacomo Peirano arrived in
San Francisco in 1879 from Genoa, Italy. In 1881, he began
farming in Lodi, and year by year he gained a place for himself
pioneering vineyard and orchard development. Planted in the
early 1800's, Peirano Estate was one of the first vineyards in
Lodi. Located in the heart of the Lodi Appellation, the 300
acre estate consists of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
and perhaps the largest single block of old, head-trained,
natural rooted Zinfandel left in California.
Beginning with the hard work
and inspiration of Giacomo Peirano, five generations have grown
and harvested grapes from their vineyard for over 100
consecutive years. Knowing that great wines must begin with the
finest of grapes, it has always been their belief that wine
should reflect the character of the fruit and the land.
Their wines begin in the
vineyard, located in the heart of the Lodi Appellation. The
fruit for their estate grown Chardonnay undergoes a
dual-harvest. The first picking is done in early August, before
the fruit has reached its true maturity, which allows for some
high acids. In early September another section of the Chardonnay
vineyard black is harvested. The late harvest features fruit
with ripe stone fruit characteristics.
The two lost from the two
harvests are kept separate and later blended to achieve the
desired balance Peirano strives for stylistically. Beginning
with their 1999 Chardonnay their wines undergo 75% malolactic
fermentation, enough to maintain the acidity and soften the
wine. This vintage remained in barrels for seven months [the oak
consisted of 75% French, 22% American and 3% Hungarian]. Only
25% of the barrels consisted of new oak.
