2022 StarWine Cellars “Curious” Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap
Delicate yet layered, the 2022 vintage opens with dried red fruits, toasted spice, and a subtle nutty undertone. The palate is light and supple, with fine pleasing tannins and a grip on the back end that draws out flavors of cranberry, clove, and cherry skin. A restrained structure and gentle finish reflect the elegance of a cool growing season.
Specs
Vintage: 2022
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Appellation: Petaluma Gap, Sonoma County
Alcohol: 14.1%
pH: 3.61
Titratable Acidity: 6.5 g/L
What’s Included
4-bottles:
4x - 2022 StarWine Cellars “Curious” Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap
Case:
12x - 2022 StarWine Cellars “Curious” Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap
StarWine was started by a family with a dream of growing high quality grapes in Sonoma County and the passion and experience to make it happen. Located in the agriculturally rich Petaluma Gap, StarWine Cellars operates over 30 acres of vineyards poised to grow the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Sonoma.
Our decision to plant our vineyard in the Petaluma Gap has played an important role in the success of our artisan wine. Located 250 feet above sea level, with a strong afternoon wind off the Petaluma River, this area yields fruit that is small in size but concentrated in flavor. The result is a well-balanced wine that is both elegant and distinct of the Gap.
Available States
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
@hscottk@starwine_alex
Alex [volmod here, working to get your your ] how about an introduction? You know, who are your, what do you do, etc.
And any additional lab or blending info? there have been a few questions.
@klezman As well as, respectfully, is this a known producer in Oregon and can hold its own against other $76 SRP wines? If the winery has been selling at that price, great but if not and just does SRP, then its a meaningless price.
It seems a little odd to me that there are multiple reviews for the 2021 and there is even aTasting Panel review of the 2023, but there is not a single review of the 2022. Maybe we will get a Rat on here, if not it seems almost as if this was a completely passed over vintage. Though, it seems more likely reviewers didn’t care for it so no one published a review of it.
@starwine_alex that isn’t a review. It is a 90 with no other words associated with it other than a name. That is about as useful as the old George Carlin joke “Here’s a partial score, Las Angles 6.” Honestly how can a wine not be ready to drink for 6 years but is rated a 90, when no previous vintages have been aged that long? Seems super suspicious to me.
By John Gilman
May/Jun 2026, Issue #123, Recently-Tasted American Wines Spring 2026
90 points
(Pinot Noir “Petaluma Gap” Curious- Star Wine Cellars (Sonoma County)) Subscribe to see review text. (Drink between 2032 - 2060)
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations)
2022 StarWine Pinot Noir - $50 = 20.83%
It’s me, it’s me, I’m the rat! I’m a big fan of Pinot Noir, so I was excited to try this one. Dinner was chicken cacciatore with brussels sprouts in a balsamic glaze. I popped the cork on the bottle and poured a glass as I waited for dinner to finish coming together. The first sniff was mineral to me, with the faintest hint of blackberry. I took my first sip, it was a smooth start, a taste of berries (don’t think it’s sweet, it’s not), a bit thin, and then some tannins hit as I swallowed.
I started to eat dinner, and the aroma of the wine didn’t change, even with a hearty meal, I still got mineral, nor did the taste change much, the berry was muted a tad with the spice of the meal, but it was still present, and the tannins still hit, along with maybe a bit of heat from pepper. The taste stayed consistent from start to finish.
As I was eating, I grabbed the bottle and read the label. I think this was the first time in my life I read a bottle and actually tasted what they described on the label (“Dried red fruits…”)! I thought it had a bit more berry than a typical Pinot Noir (like a Shiraz met a Zinfandel), but it’s hard to pin down. If I went somewhere and asked for a house red, this would fit the bill (I would be hard pressed to exactly identify it).
It’s great on its own, it’s great with food! The next day it was just a good as the first.
Hello everyone, thank you for being CURIOUS! We are very small and new to the Petaluma Gap, our founders fell in love with the AVA and its climate and planted a brand-new vineyard in 2017. In 2021 we had our inaugural Pinot Noir release (Double Gold at SF Chronicle Wine Competition!) and continued since then. All our wines are single vineyard sourced from our 30 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Our labels are uniquely designed to inspire long conversations between friends and family at the table. We even have CURIOUS question on each bottle to warm you up!
See our short intro video here:
I am happy to answer any questions here.
How is the aging done? Time in barrels or tanks and what types? It is odd that it is not mentioned in anything I have read about any of the curious vintages.
@fibercot@ttboy23 If I live that long, I don’t think I’ll be drinking any PN. Though one of my grandmas enjoyed a medicinal shot of plum brandy before bedtime, she lived a good long time.
StarWine Pinot Noir
2022 StarWine Cellars “Curious” Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$912/Case at Starwine Cellars for 12x 2022 StarWine Cellars “Curious” Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Oct 26 - Tuesday, Oct 27
2022 StarWine Pinot Noir
4 bottles for $79.99 $20/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $189.99 $15.83/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
CT winery info:
Bottles in cellars: 0
Bottles pending delivery: 1
Looks like we may be getting the first crack at these wines.
@hscottk Yes, we’ve been selling exclusively DTC until recently, this is the first push to create broader availability!
@hscottk @starwine_alex
] how about an introduction? You know, who are your, what do you do, etc.
Alex [volmod here, working to get your your
And any additional lab or blending info? there have been a few questions.
Man, may go in based on the label alone!
@losthighwayz Thank you, it does make you CURIOUS, right?
Different strokes for different folks… The label is a tad off-putting for me.
With a list price of over $70 this is a crazy discount from SRP. Although I wonder how many bottles have sold at that price…
@klezman I was thinking the same! Also the CellarTracker drinking window is 2032-2060…seems a bit far out.
@klezman @TimW
/giphy Far out, man meme
@klezman
But for a premium Oregon PN that would be normal… and the “special” ones are usually reserved for club members or VIP access.
I have been happy with the earlier Petaluma Gap wines but yes this is a new price point it seems.
@pmarin Agreed it’s in line with higher end bottles from known producers in Oregon. Even some like Rivers-Marie and such in Sonoma get to this SRP.
@klezman As well as, respectfully, is this a known producer in Oregon and can hold its own against other $76 SRP wines? If the winery has been selling at that price, great but if not and just does SRP, then its a meaningless price.
@outdoorslife Per a note below, it seems this was planted in 2017 as a brand new vineyard.
It seems a little odd to me that there are multiple reviews for the 2021 and there is even aTasting Panel review of the 2023, but there is not a single review of the 2022. Maybe we will get a Rat on here, if not it seems almost as if this was a completely passed over vintage. Though, it seems more likely reviewers didn’t care for it so no one published a review of it.
@Eron CellarTracker has no user reviews for any vintages.
@Eron see below comment for John Gilman’s review
@starwine_alex that isn’t a review. It is a 90 with no other words associated with it other than a name. That is about as useful as the old George Carlin joke “Here’s a partial score, Las Angles 6.” Honestly how can a wine not be ready to drink for 6 years but is rated a 90, when no previous vintages have been aged that long? Seems super suspicious to me.
This is copy paste from CT:
By John Gilman
May/Jun 2026, Issue #123, Recently-Tasted American Wines Spring 2026
90 points
(Pinot Noir “Petaluma Gap” Curious- Star Wine Cellars (Sonoma County)) Subscribe to see review text. (Drink between 2032 - 2060)
fwiw
@kaolis
That is one heck of an extended drinking window.
Wondering how many here could reasonabally make it to there…
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations)
2022 StarWine Pinot Noir - $50 = 20.83%
Well, it sounds like something I’d like, and it has a pretty label – perhaps a lab rat is lurking out there?
It’s me, it’s me, I’m the rat! I’m a big fan of Pinot Noir, so I was excited to try this one. Dinner was chicken cacciatore with brussels sprouts in a balsamic glaze. I popped the cork on the bottle and poured a glass as I waited for dinner to finish coming together. The first sniff was mineral to me, with the faintest hint of blackberry. I took my first sip, it was a smooth start, a taste of berries (don’t think it’s sweet, it’s not), a bit thin, and then some tannins hit as I swallowed.
I started to eat dinner, and the aroma of the wine didn’t change, even with a hearty meal, I still got mineral, nor did the taste change much, the berry was muted a tad with the spice of the meal, but it was still present, and the tannins still hit, along with maybe a bit of heat from pepper. The taste stayed consistent from start to finish.
As I was eating, I grabbed the bottle and read the label. I think this was the first time in my life I read a bottle and actually tasted what they described on the label (“Dried red fruits…”)! I thought it had a bit more berry than a typical Pinot Noir (like a Shiraz met a Zinfandel), but it’s hard to pin down. If I went somewhere and asked for a house red, this would fit the bill (I would be hard pressed to exactly identify it).
It’s great on its own, it’s great with food! The next day it was just a good as the first.
@markgm Thank you for trying it and for the great review!
Hello everyone, thank you for being CURIOUS! We are very small and new to the Petaluma Gap, our founders fell in love with the AVA and its climate and planted a brand-new vineyard in 2017. In 2021 we had our inaugural Pinot Noir release (Double Gold at SF Chronicle Wine Competition!) and continued since then. All our wines are single vineyard sourced from our 30 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Our labels are uniquely designed to inspire long conversations between friends and family at the table. We even have CURIOUS question on each bottle to warm you up!
See our short intro video here:
I am happy to answer any questions here.
Alex, StarWine Cellars
@starwine_alex Hi, what’s your role with the winery?
@InFrom I do Business Development for StarWine Cellars
Here is the tech sheet pdf.
@starwine_alex so all stainless, no oak?
@kaolis Yes, 2022 was aged in stainless tanks. 2021 - tech sheet - was aged in French oak
@starwine_alex interesting… why the change? Seems your 2021 was pretty well received… I’m curious about the change in process… ha!
@kaolis @starwine_alex but the rat talks about tannins confused
@kaolis @losthighwayz yes, definitely! Pinot has grape-derived tannins
How is the aging done? Time in barrels or tanks and what types? It is odd that it is not mentioned in anything I have read about any of the curious vintages.
@Eron 2022 was aged in stainless tanks. 2021 - tech sheet - was aged in French oak
@Eron @starwine_alex huh? The rat describes tannins
@Eron @losthighwayz yes, Pinot has grape-derived tannins
@Eron @starwine_alex so stem inclusion?
@Eron @losthighwayz @starwine_alex Huh? Grapes have tannin in the seeds and skins.
@Eron @klezman @starwine_alex yeah, I’m losing it lol
Drinking Window??
@fibercot from the description: Drink between 2032 - 2060 lol
@fibercot @ttboy23 If I live that long, I don’t think I’ll be drinking any PN. Though one of my grandmas enjoyed a medicinal shot of plum brandy before bedtime, she lived a good long time.
bottles say 13.9 ?