One of the things I love most about wine is its power to unlock memories with a single sip. That’s exactly what happened when I opened the sample bottles of Papapietro Perry’s 2021 Pinot Noirs. Suddenly, I was transported back to our cherished Passport to Dry Creek weekends—an annual tradition shared with friends for many years.

Without fail, we always made time for Papapietro Perry. We were drawn by their warm hospitality, the thoughtful food pairings that went well beyond the usual Pinot pairings, and of course, the opportunity to taste expressive Pinot Noir in a region best known for Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tasting these wines again felt like flipping through a sensory scrapbook—each glass a vivid reminder of laughter, sun-drenched spring days, and the joy of discovering great wine in the company of even better friends.

The Story Behind the Wines

Papapietro Perry Winery is a true family affair—founded by longtime friends Ben and Yolanda Papapietro and Bruce and Renae Perry. What began in a San Francisco garage in the 1980s—just a couple of Pinot lovers experimenting with grapes and barrels—evolved into a bonded winery in 1998.

Since then, Papapietro Perry has become one of Dry Creek Valley’s most beloved producers of small-lot, vineyard-designate Pinot Noir. The wines reflect a hands-on, minimal-intervention approach rooted in friendship, family, and a shared belief that great Pinot speaks for itself.

Sadly, Bruce Perry passed away in 2022, just one year shy of the winery’s 25th anniversary. But his spirit lives on in every bottle—in the warmth of the tasting room, the finesse of the wines, and the unwavering commitment of the Papapietro and Perry families to craft wines with soul.

That enduring passion is evident in the three 2021 Pinot Noirs I tasted. Each wine tells its own story—steeped in terroir, rich with character, and unmistakably Papapietro Perry.

Disclosure: Wines were provided as a media samples. No other compensation was received. All opinions are mine.

2021 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

The fruit for this wine comes from a selection of carefully chosen vineyards across the appellation—including the Leras Family and Peters vineyards, long-standing sites Papapietro Perry has partnered with since 2003. Each lot is vinified and aged separately by vineyard and clone, giving the winemaking team a dynamic palette of components to work with. This thoughtful approach allows for a final blend that’s layered, expressive, and a true reflection of the the Russian River Valley’s character.

Tasting Note: Pale light ruby with aromatic red fruit, potting soil, sassafras, cola and baking spice aromas. On the palate, it’s medium bodied with bright acidity and supple tannins, with ripe strawberry and red cherry, cranberry, cola and spice flavors. Medium savory finish. 100% Pinot Noir Raised in French oak 33% new, 33% 1 y.o. 33% 2 y.o. for 11 months. 13.8% abv|SRP – $61|89pts

2021 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Leras Family Vineyards

A cornerstone of the Papapietro Perry portfolio since 2003, Leras Family Vineyard sits in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Primarily planted to Pommard clones in the 1980s, the vineyard consistently yields fruit of elegance and depth. This bottling is a vivid expression of that legacy—balanced, nuanced, and unmistakably Russian River.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby color with an enticing melange of red fruit, rosehips, damp earth, spiced black tea, and toasted oak aromas. On the palate, it’s medium bodied and fresh with silky tannins and black and red cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, black tea and baking spice flavors. Lengthy finish.100% Pinot Noir Raised in French oak, 50% new; 50% 1-2 y.o. for 11 months. 14% abv| SRP – $66|91pts

2021 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Peters Vineyard

Tucked just west of Sebastopol on the edge of the Russian River Valley AVA, Peters Vineyard lies in a fog-kissed pocket that brushes up against the Sonoma Coast. Once an apple orchard, the site is now planted to Pinot Noir clones Pommard, 115, and 777. Cool Pacific fog rolls in most mornings and evenings, extending hang time and preserving acidity. The vines thrive in Gold Ridge soils—well-drained sandy loam that contributes finesse and purity.

Though technically just outside the Sonoma Coast AVA, this wine channels the cool-climate coastal influence beautifully with its bright acidity, layered fruit, and subtle earthiness.

Tasting note: Pale garnet color with raspberry, red cherry, green tea, cedar, vanilla, potting soil and baking spice aromas. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and elegant with bright acidity and velvety, sweet tannins with ripe red cherry and raspberry, vanilla, green tea, and baking spice flavors. Lengthy savory finish. 100% Pinot Noir raised in French oak 50% new; 50% 1-2 y.o. for 11 months. 14.2% abv| SRP – $66| 91pts

Final Thoughts
Tasting these 2021 Pinot Noirs from Papapietro Perry felt like reconnecting with an old friend. Each bottle reflects its unique vineyard origins, yet all share the house style—graceful, expressive, and undeniably soulful.

They also brought me back to those Passport to Dry Creek weekends I hold so dear: sunny afternoons, shared laughter, and the easy rhythm of good wine enjoyed in great company. These wines don’t just speak of place—they carry the heartbeat of a winery built on friendship, family, and a passion for Pinot that has endured for decades.

Whether you’re discovering Papapietro Perry for the first time or returning to a familiar favorite, these wines invite you to slow down, savor the moment, and maybe even make a few memories of your own.