WALT Wines, one of the leading luxury Pinot Noir producers in the country, has announced plans to host the official kick-off event for the 20th Anniversary of the World of Pinot Noir at the Clos Pepe Estate Vineyard located on Route 246. The event – coined as Mile Marker 60 referencing WALT’s 1,000 Miles of Pinot concept – includes a vineyard tour, a high-profile moderated panel conversation alongside a unique vertical tasting.
Guests will embark on a guided shuttle from the The Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara to the Clos Pepe Estate Vineyard for an experience focusing on vineyard site, winemaking from the coveted vineyard and the ageability of wines produced from the site. Upon arrival guests will stroll through the Clos Pepe vineyard and learn about the distinct characteristics of this special site. Guests will then be seated for a private panel featuring Ambassador Kathryn Walt Hall, WALT Winemaker Megan Gunderson, Winemaker Adam Lee, and Clos Pepe Vineyard Owner Stephen Pepe. The conversation will be moderated by WALT General Manager, Jeff Zappelli. The panel conversation and wine tasting will showcase a selection of both library, current release and barrel sample wines.
Afterward, guests will then be invited to enjoy a hosted backyard BBQ catered by The Hitching Post and boogie down with a country music performance by Country music recording artist, Anderson Daniels. All guests will leave with a signed copy of Kathryn Hall’s New York Times Bestseller, A Perfect Score. Tickets are all inclusive and available to purchase for $250 per person HERE.
“Kicking off the 20th Anniversary event in the vineyard brings World of Pinot Noir back to its roots,” said Stacie Jacob, spokesperson for the World of Pinot Noir. “Partnering with the Clos Pepe Vineyard and the various winemakers sourcing world-class fruit from this premiere site and inviting guests to be part of this exclusive experience is what celebrating the Pinot Noir grape is all about.”
Clos Pepe Vineyard was purchased by Stephen and Cathy Pepe in 1994 as a horse ranch and established the 9th vineyard in what would become the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Specializing in cool-climate, small production, craft-based Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Clos Pepe is now recognized as a leader in local and national wine culture, wine education. Located at 4777 East Highway 246 in Lompoc, CA, the Clos Pepe vineyard consists of 29 acres of sustainable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines producing some of the finest fruit and wine in the world. Sustainably farmed with low yields and no herbicide or insecticide, the Close Pepe vineyard is exposed to wind and fog and features small vines and clusters. The site includes 25 planted acres of Pinot Noir as well as 4 planted acres of Chardonnay.
To purchase tickets to the Mike Marker 60: Clos Pepe Vineyard Experience HERE. For more information about WALT Wines, please visit www.waltwines.com.