WINERY. Luna Vineyards was founded in 1995 by George Vare and Mike Moone. Both Vare and Moone have been Presidents of major California wineries and important influences in the California wine industry since the mid-1960's.

The founders purchased the St. Andrews winery, located at the foot of the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley, and set out to produce Italian varietal wines - Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese and Merlot.
The first step was to replant the old Chardonnay vineyard to Pinot Grigio, followed by a complete modernization of the winery. A new fermenting and barrel aging building was built using Italian design features.

The completed remodel of Luna's exterior and tasting room is reminiscent of a Tuscan villa and is surrounded by 66 acres of vineyard planted to Pinot Grigio and Merlot.

Winemaster - John Kongsgaard. In 1996, after 20 years experience with other wineries, the last 13 at Newton Vineyards where he established himself in the forefront of Napa Valley winemakers, John joined Luna as Vice President and partner. John is particularly noted for his outstanding Merlots and spent seven years in collaboration with Michel Rolland from Bordeaux perfecting winemaking techniques in the Napa region.

With a passion for Italian wines combined with a desire to live slightly on the edge, John happily joined Luna. He was excited by the opportunity to travel to the "Old World" and learn how to adapt their traditional and new techniques for growing grapes and making wine from Sangiovese and Pinot Grigio.

PHILOSOPHY. "90% of winemaking is in the vineyard. At the winery we have the minimalist approach. Let the wine be what it is!"

VINEYARDS:
Pinot Grigio. 44 acres of Pinot Grigio are planted at the winery. This is the largest planting of Pinot Grigio in the North Coast of California.

Sangiovese. Luna sources its Sangiovese from hillside vineyards surrounding Napa Valley where the rocky, difficult ground naturally limits the tonnage per acre assuring concentrated wine. The vineyards are in the lower half of the valley on hillsides east, west and south.

Merlot. Our Merlot grapes come from vineyards that John Kongsgaard has worked with for many years. John has worked closely with the growers to determine how best to produce a crop with concentrated and balanced fruit. (The vineyards are all from well-known regions such as Carneros, Stags Leap, and Yountville.)

Luna Vineyards Winery / 2921 Silverado Trail / Napa, CA  94558 / 707-255-2474

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