“One of the quiet stars making exceptional wines…” – Jeb Dunnuck

Ugh. As good spies do, we get all protective when the word gets out involving our little discoveries.

Not that we don’t like to share, but let’s be real. Production here is miniscule. And now that the recognition is pouring in (like 94-97 points) we had to fight to get ANY of this to share with our loyal Operatives.

Side note: We really wanted to feature this one here in the Store; however, there was very, very little of it left after the mailing list gobbled up the lion’s share.

We have Jeb Dunnuck to thank for a recent spotlight where he writes “Relative newcomer Mark Lussier is definitely one to watch, one of the quiet stars making exceptional wines from the region right now… Lussier interned at Napa’s Pahlmeyer in 2015 and knew immediately that working in wine would be his next focus. After a stint with Williams Selyem, he launched Lussier in 2019 to make Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Anderson Valley and Mendocino Ridge. Based in Calistoga, he works in particular with high-elevation sites above the Anderson Valley, including Roma’s, Golden Fleece, Signal Ridge, and Mariah, using native ferments and a good percentage of whole-cluster grapes.”

These Pinots give off Anthill Farms, Littorai, or Williams Selyem (well, duh) vibes at a fraction of their cost, and if you’ve had the previous releases, you already know what to expect. Agent Brut, an Anthill loyalist, said this is one of, if not THE favorite Pinot he’s had since starting here. So, consider that…

And also consider the total production of around 3-5 barrels. We’re still scratching our heads about how we got ANY to begin with. Granted, it wasn’t much.

G.W. Lussier served seven years in the U.S. Army, with combative tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, before returning home to the Napa Valley. A chance encounter at a bocce game opened a winemaking door at Pahlmeyer before moving over to Williams Selyem, where you just can’t get any better direction. Today, Lussier produces just three single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from Roma’s, Signal Ridge, Gold Fleece, and this blend of predominantly Roma’s fruit.

He takes a minimalist style approach, starting with sourcing from organic vineyards on steep hillsides at 2,000 feet above sea level. He takes the hand-harvested fruit and ferments using native yeasts, including a healthy 40% whole clusters in the mix. Next comes a modest 11 months in used French oak. The result is a gorgeous wine with soaring aromatics and playful and dramatic flavors. Bright and juicy red fruit comes bursting to the surface. The high acidity ensures a long road ahead.

Some wines really show what “terroir-driven” really means. This is one of them. A beauty, and there’s not much to share, so you better make your move quickly.