Luna Vineyards

LUNA VINEYARDS Introduces New and Illuminating Tasting Experiences

 BY FRAN MILLER

Luna Vineyards’ gateway location along Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail is more than fitting. As the first winery encountered upon northern entry to the famed thoroughfare, Luna is a perfect first stop for visitors seeking the best in wine tasting hospitality, especially during this time of new beginnings. As the Valley once again rolls out its red carpet, Luna’s outdoor, piazza-style patio provides a warm, welcoming, and fun environment in which to taste its unique wines via experiences geared toward aficionados and novices alike.

“One should never feel intimidated by the world of fine wine,” said winery president, Andre Crisp. “At Luna, we produce products that are accessible to everyone at all price points. Our goal is to connect with our customers and visitors. They are the reason we do what we do.”

At Luna, ‘distance responsible,’ educational tastings provide accessibility to the winery’s Italian and classic Bordeaux varietals. The winery, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is perhaps best known for producing two varietals that are uncommon for the region: Sangiovese and Pinot Grigio. Luna is one of the largest producers in the Valley and first family-owned winery to plant the visionary Italian varieties on their estate vineyard. A Luna goal is spotlighting these non-mainstream Napa Valley varietals, made with precision by winemaker Shawna Miller.

Visitors to Luna are encouraged to relax and to walk about the property, where outdoor tasting spaces are maximized to take advantage of the fresh air and inspiring views. A menu of new tasting experiences includes The Estate Tasting, personalized and seated, featuring a selection of current release Napa Valley and Estate-grown wines. $30 retail customers / $0 club members. The Estate Tasting + 2020 Pinot Grigio Berries. This elevated tasting is personalized and seated and features current release Napa Valley and Estate-grown wines, including berries that will become the winery’s 2020 Estate Pinot Grigio. $40 retail customers / $10 club members. And the Reds Tasting + French Oak vs. Hungarian Oak Sangiovese – another elevated tasting featuring a selection of current release Napa Valley red wines and a special side-by-side Sangiovese Oak tasting. $50 retail customers / $20 club members. All of Luna’s new tasting experiences are offered daily by appointment at 10:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:30 pm.

Luna also continues to offer its Zoom tastings, which, over the past year, have proven to be popular. “The Zoom format was an accidental revelation for us during a time of necessity,” said Nisha Singh, Luna’s vice president of marketing and communications. “These virtual tastings have provided a great avenue for introducing our wines to those throughout the US who are unable to make it to Napa. The virtual world has made Luna more accessible.”