They just sent out this announcement:
Dear Friends and Loyal Supporters of Clos Pepe Vineyards and Estate Wines:
Clos Pepe has been our home and our reason for living for the last 21 years. Steve and Cathy purchased the ranch as a horse farm in 1994 after an exhaustive search for the best dirt and climate for the production of world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They poured their passion and resources into this property. Meanwhile, Wes was finishing his first Semester as a college instructor in Ely, Minnesota. In a swift replay of every great story of Western Migration, Wes drove from Northern Minnesota (brrr…) to Kansas City in December, 1994, stopped long enough to eat some Gates Barbecue (yum…), then drove from Kansas City to Lompoc in just under 26 hours. Our family’s new life had begun. In 1999 Wes met Chanda and they were married at Clos Pepe in August, 2000. For our honeymoon we made the first vintage of Clos Pepe Estate.
In the past 21 years the Clos Pepe family has accomplished every goal a vineyard and winery could hope for:
• Recognized as one of the top 20 Pinot Noir vineyards in the New World
• Involvement in the development, approval, promotion and defense of the Sta. Rita Hills American Viticultural Area: arguably the greatest AVA to be established in the 1990’s.
• Scores of 92-95 in every major US wine publication. (Parker, Spectator, Enthusiast, IWC, Vinous) as well as Gold medals in no fewer than 4 International Wine Competitions. Clos Pepe consistently competes for the highest scores of any Pinot Noir vineyard in the Sta Rita Hills AVA and the New World.
• Winegrower of the Year for Wes/Clos Pepe in 2001-2002 and the prestigious Santa Barbara Green Award for Clos Pepe in 2007-2008.
• Highest rated wine tour/tasting in California two years running on both Yelp and Trip Advisor. (100% 5-star ratings—unreal!).
• Wes Hagen earned the title as the #68th Most Influential Winemaker in the US by Michael Cervin of Decanter Magazine and the Wall Street Journal.
• Developed and maintained a ‘culture’ brand that was based in education, social and environmental equity and sustainability.
• Our family developed and maintained deep and meaningful friendships over 3 decades with our customers. I think you all know that you are more than customers to us. You are friends, family and also valued clients.
In short, it’s been a great ride.
After a fantastic 2014 harvest and 21 years in the wine biz, owners Steve and Cathy Pepe have decided they want a true retirement. With a strong desire to see the vineyard thrive, Steve and Cathy have partnered with Hall/Walt Wines of Saint Helena, CA. We are thrilled such a quality-conscious producer will keep the vineyard healthy and keep the wine flowing. Steve and Cathy will remain in their beautiful home at the Clos and Wes and Chanda will be looking for a new home, job and life on the Central Coast. Andrew Turner, our Wine Club Manager, Sommelier and dear friend, has agreed to stay and support the wines and brands until the last bottle finds a good home.
Clos Pepe Vineyards has been leased for 15 years by Hall/Walt and the Hagen/Pepes will no longer make Clos Pepe Estate or Axis Mundi Wines. Hall will continue to sell grapes to our contracted producers, but the amazing 2014 vintage will be our last as wine producers. The 2014 vintage of Clos Pepe and Axis Mundi that is in barrel now will be finished, bottled and sold as our farewell vintage.
We expect many of you will find the Walt style a delicious and crafty extension of what we’ve done here for more than 20 years and 15 vintages of Estate wine production, but you will not receive emails or offers from Walt unless you request them personally.