ITALIAN ROOTS run deep in the Napa Valley and not just from the grapevines) … where California’s history of fine winemaking began over 100 years ago.  After all, when the Italians landed in America – with them they brought their recipes for homemade bread, pasta and wine – the Holy Trinity of the Italian dinner table.

When Pèpe heard that his friend Piero Antinori was going to sell off some grapes from his Atlas Peak vineyard estate, Pèpe was the one of the first to line up to buy them.  Renowned Napa Valley winemaker Glenn Salva was hired to oversee the making of the wine and together they crafted a wine that would prove to be a delicious expression of its Atlas Peak AVA pedigree.

The PÈPE “Vesuvio” is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot & Syrah and with about 500 cases produced each year.  A 100% Chardonnay is also produced each year in quantities of about 250 cases.

GLENN SALVA

Napa Valley winegrower Glenn Salva has worked with Rich Pèpe in the making of PÈPE Wine since the first vintage was produced in 2001.  Glenn Salva has made wine in the Napa Valley since 1986 and is currenty the vineyard manager for Antinori’s Antica Winery.

“I’m delighted to share this responsibility and my experience with Richard Pepe in crafting a wine that showcases its Napa Valley pedigree. The PÈPE is a unique wine produced by blending Napa Valley mountain grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.  Depending on the vintage, the percent of each grape varietal varies so as to produce a wine consistent in personality and style”, said Glenn.

Salva’s winegrowing philosophy is to produce wines that have a definite expression of character, without losing track of elegance and harmony.

Glenn says, “My aim is to follow Rich Pepe’s philosophy of ‘Italian heritage – Napa style winemaking’ along with respecting the character of the grape variety and best possible adoption to the terroir in order to produce the finest expression of PÈPE Wine.”