Pet-Nat... What's that?

Lightning Rock Winery is please to announce the release of their 2020 Pét-Nats. Hot off the heels of the 2020 harvest, winemakers Jordan and Tyler have worked their magic and brought to market two affordable, uncomplicated sparkling wines to brighten up the holiday season.

But what exactly is a Pét-Nat you ask? ‘We get asked this question A LOT’ says Tyler. “Pét-Nat (short for Pétillant Naturel) is an ancient method of making naturally sparkling wines. Unlike Champagne, Pét-Nats do not undergo a second fermentation by adding additional sugar and yeast to the base wine. Their natural fermentation is monitored closely, and the wine is bottled with the ferment still ticking away. They're usually a touch cloudy, lower in alcohol, and include only grapes as their ingredients. They are a super cool snapshot of the vintage. “

2020 Viognier Pét-Nat - $29
Vineyard: Elysia and Canyonview
Winemaking: Whole cluster and double pressed for additional aromatics. The juice spent a night on skins, and from there it was left to spontaneously ferment in concrete tank.

2020 Rosé Pét-Nat - $29
Vineyard: Elysia and Canyonview
Winemaking: Whole cluster and double pressed for additional aromatics. The juice spent a night on skins, and from there it was left to spontaneously ferment in concrete tank.

‘2020 was our best year yet! Having four years of experience with our three vineyards in Summerland, we minimized yields and focused on our organic practices. We even started to follow the biodynamic calendar, picking and pressing on fruit and flower days as much as possible.” said Jordan. “The long, dry, September days and cool nights allowed the grape phenolics to ripen without gaining excessive sugar. Tasting through the cellar, we are excited at just how alive and vibrant all the wines are. Especially our Pet-Nats.”

Club members can expect to receive these electric wines in their upcoming November shipments. The rest of the minute allocation will be reserved for the 2021 tasting room season.