We love Peay Vineyards and have written about them quite a few times. What’s not to love about passionate wine producers pioneering in the wild, cold climates of Sonoma’s Pacific coast? Well, we have yet another reason for you to love them today.

That reason is “Cep”. No, we’re not talking about the wild mushroom, though perhaps the name is meant to evoke its delicate flavor. We’re talking about Peay’s name for its second wine.

Second wines are a big thing in Bordeaux. Sometimes they are produced from younger vines or lesser sites, sometimes they are produced because certain barrels just don’t fit into the wine-makers final blend. They are given a distinct brand and sold for far less money. Consumers get to drink delicious and typically more accessible Bordeaux for a good price, and the Chateau can improve the quality of its Grand Vin.

In California, you see a bit of this – like Screaming Eagle’s “The Flight” – but it’s not that common and tends to be reserved for Cabernets. We’re not aware of anyone doing it with varieties like Pinot Noir or Syrah. Except for Cep.

Cep is a second wine done right. The Peays have no preconception of what barrels of wines will ultimately become Cep. The grapes are all grown in the same way and they all come from the same special terroirs. They undergo the same elevage. It’s just that when they taste the wines, some barrels are more forward, more accessible, less structured, than the others. These wines get bottled as Cep.

Like a Bordeaux second wine, it’s win-win for everyone. The Peays keep making the top wines that they envision, and we get to drink some of the Peay magic for a much lower price – and we’re talking about wines that are far more drinkable on release.

Please enjoy these:

Cep Hopkins Ranch Rose Of Pinot Noir 2022 $25.99
Cep Hopkins Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $25.99
Cep Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2021 $39.99