Celebrating Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Month

Celebrating Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Month

If you know Lula Cellars, you know that Pinot Noir holds an extra special place in our hearts. Fruity, spicy, delicate, complex, versatile—when it comes to this varietal, we could go on and on. Since the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association has deemed the month of May “Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Month,” we thought there’s no better time to dive into what makes it just so special. 

As one of the world’s most popular light-bodied red wines, Pinot Noir is one of the oldest grapes used in winemaking. A fickle variety, this grape performs best in cool, dry climates with well-drained soil making Burgundy, France one of its original and most famous growing regions. Earthy, floral, and oftentimes tannic, Burgundian-style Pinot Noir has been highly sought-after and coveted for centuries. 

While it may have a storied and rightfully celebrated history across the pond, Pinot Noir has come to find an award-winning home in California—namely, right here in the Anderson Valley. Off the beaten path, Anderson Valley is a decidedly cool-climate and charming hidden gem. Vineyard plantings can be traced back to the late 1800s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that Pinot Noir began to take hold. Thriving in areas with heavy influence from the Pacific Ocean, lush Anderson Valley Pinot Noir showcases rich, bright fruit flavors. Oh, and did we mention it was versatile? The region’s Pinot Noir is not only ideal for producing fine, world-class red wines, it’s also the source of crave-worthy Rosé and sparkling wines. 

More than enjoyable on its own, one of our favorite things about Pinot Noir is its ability to pair with food. Widely known as the most “food-friendly” of red wines, you can pair this varietal with everything from spicy dishes to Thanksgiving dinner to a fresh fruit and cheese board. In the spring and summer, we find ourselves reaching for garden-grown tomato bruschetta and pasta primavera with a glass of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir in-hand. You can explore some of our favorite recipes here, and let us know some of yours! 

Are you thirsty yet? Get in on the fun! Through the end of May, take 20% off two classic Lula Cellar Pinot Noirs—our 2018 Costa Vineyard and 2018 Peterson Vineyard—when you use code Pinot21 at checkout. And guess what? Club members, your discounts apply for savings up to 45%! Plus, receive $10 flat-rate shipping when you mix-and-match 6+ bottles of these two wines by adding code 10Ship.


Both of these wines have received 94-Point ratings from Wine Enthusiast and placed Gold in the 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Stock your cellar this summer with these fan-favorites before they are gone for good. Cheers to Pinot Noir Month!

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