Limerick Lane Cellars is a family-owned, 53-acre estate in the Northeast corner of the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. First planted in 1910, there are still 6 acres of vines dating back to the original planting. While the age of the vines plays a part in the quality of the wines, it is unquestionably the site that allows the winery to grow and produce Zinfandel and Rhone varietals of the utmost distinction. At Limerick Lane Cellars, the goal is to produce wines of the highest quality, noted not only for their exceptional balance and elegance but also wines that are true to the place from which they were planted.

Chris Pittenger - Chris’ passion for winemaking was born during his college years at Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo where a viticulture course set him on his path. His first job out of college was at the prestigious Wally’s wine shop in L.A, where he was exposed to the best wines of the World and gravitated towards Burgundy, the Rhone, and Piedmont. From there he moved to Jackson Hole to refine his palate (and snowboarding skills) in The Tetons while working as a sommelier in the wine-centric Restaurant Terroir.

Chris always wanted to make wine and jumped at an opportunity to intern at Robert Biale in Napa, working with old vine Zinfandel vineyards. This was followed by vintages at Torbreck (Australia), Williams-Selyem (Healdsburg), and finally, four harvests at West Sonoma Coast winery Marcassin (under Helen Turley).

Chris then spent 11 years as winemaker at Rhone focused Skinner Vineyards in El Dorado, where he championed Mourvédre and Grenache in the regions’ granitic soils and high elevation vineyards.

When Chris returned to Healdsburg to work at Limerick Lane, he felt an immediate connection to this historic vineyard. His goal for this iconic site is to showcase its beauty, grace, structure, and precision through the Limerick Lane wines. To this end he draws from an old world palate developed over two decades, combined with a gentle touch learned while working under some of the world’s most respected winemakers.

Chris Pittenger can be contacted at chris@limericklanewines.com.