Richard G. Peterson

Richard G. Peterson created and runs a small Napa Valley wine project focused on Pinot Noir wines and sparkling Brut Rosé, as a result of decades of hands-on experience across different California wineries.

History
Richard Peterson started his wine carreer in 1948 as a home winemaker in Iowa using Concord grapes. He got degrees in chemical tech and food science, then joined E&J Gallo in 1958 for research and production work. In 1968, André Tchelistcheff brought him to Beaulieu Vineyard in Rutherford as winemaster until 1973, followed by a period leading Monterey Vineyard and Atlas Peak Vineyards, where he planted 450 acres on volcanic land. Later, he helped buy Folie à Deux in 1995. Now in his 90s, Peterson started his own label in Napa Valley.​

The Vineyards
Peterson's most important vineyard is a 2-acre plot in southern Yountville with the rare Wrotham Pinot Noir clone, planted in the 1980s. Its greyish, hairy leaves set it apart from typical green vines nearby. He bought fruit here until 2016, then moved to spots in Monterey County and other cool Napa areas. At Atlas Peak, he developed high-elevation vineyards to get experience in making wines in these more difficult situations for better results and quality.​

The Terroir
Yountville's cooler vineyards give the Wrotham vines steady temperatures for acidity and balance, away from Napa's hotter zones. Volcanic soils up at Atlas Peak drain fast and stress vines just right for concentrated flavors. These vineyards wiith maritime fog, elevation and rocky ground are a guarantee for structured wines when working responsibly.​

Grapes Used
Pinot Noir is the most important grape, especially the Wrotham clone for still reds and Brut Rosé sparkling wine. Past projects included Zinfandel, Gamay, Sauvignon Blanc and even Sangiovese at Atlas Peak. 

Way of Winemaking
Peterson use modern lab techniques with practical experience: local yeasts, gentle handling to keep fruit clean and vineyard clear. He skips heavy extraction, favors bung-and-roll barrel care over constant topping.​

Did you know ...
He designed the Peterson Pallet for double-stacking barrels but gave it to the industry for free instead of patenting.

The Wrotham clone from his Yountville vines now grows in the UK, Michigan and Monterey.

At Monterey, he made California's first Botrytis Pinot Noir and late-harvest Zinfandel picked in December or January.​