{"id":2700,"date":"2026-03-17T12:25:34","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T12:25:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=2700"},"modified":"2026-03-17T12:25:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T12:25:34","slug":"winemaker-interview-series-limerick-lane-chris-pittenger-january-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/?p=2700","title":{"rendered":"Winemaker Interview Series &#8211; Limerick Lane &#8211; Chris Pittenger &#8211; January 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chris-Pittenger-Limerick-Lane-Home.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-2462\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chris-Pittenger-Limerick-Lane-Home.gif\" alt=\"Chris Pittenger from Limerick Lane\" width=\"260\" height=\"307\" \/><\/a>On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, we interviewed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.limericklanewines.com\/about-us\/our-team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Chris Pittenger<\/strong><\/a> once again. Chris is the winemaker at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.limericklanewines.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane<\/strong><\/a>. This year we covered eight very impressive 2023-vintage Zinfandels. We also covered four other wines from Limerick Lane in other tastings. In this post, you can learn what is new with Chris and Limerick Lane and read our reviews of all of these terrific wines.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Before we get to the wine reviews, I thought I would share a few new tidbits we learned during the tasting with Chris.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This is Chris\u2019 25<sup>th<\/sup> harvest!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2023 Vintage \u2013 Latest vintage since 2011!<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Long and even keel vintage with moderate temperatures.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Even ripening.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Able to pick selectively when the blocks are ready.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2023 was the first time they picked <a href=\"https:\/\/historicvineyardsociety.org\/vineyard\/monte-rosso\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Monte Rosso<\/strong><\/a> in September. (Usually late August)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It did test the patience of winemakers, but in the end, it was spectacular.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2024 Vintage \u2013 Back to the mean in terms of pick dates.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Very pure vintage &#8211; Fruit driven and expressive.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Very excited about the Rhone varietals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/historicvineyardsociety.org\/vineyard\/martinelli-road\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><u>Banfield Vineyard<\/u><\/strong><\/a> is a historical site. Vines were planted in the 1880\u2019s.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Squatter\u2019s Hill &#8211; Younger vines planted by Jake.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They now lease and farm the vineyard themselves.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They tend to use neutral to 1 year old barrels.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They do not use American oak.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Marquis uses the best barrels from the vintage in the blend. In 2023, it consisted of 14 barrels.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1 From Banfield Vineyard.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2 from Monte Rosso Vineyard.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2 from <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/historicvineyardsociety.org\/vineyard\/maffei-vineyard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maffei Vineyard<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">11 from Limerick Lane \u201cEstate\u201d Vineyards.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Below is a summary of the wine offerings from Limerick Lane that we covered. The links below are to our full reviews. If you are interested in ordering and trying these wines, you will find some of these wines via your favorite fine wine shop or on top quality wines lists. You can also purchase these wines on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.limericklanewines.com\/wines\/current-releases\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Limerick-Lane-Logo.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2023\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Limerick-Lane-Logo.gif\" alt=\"Limerick Lane Logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"116\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Limerick-Lane-2023-Maffei-Vineyard-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane 2023 Zinfandel &#8220;Maffei Vineyard&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (RRV) $64 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 94<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Limerick-Lane-2023-Banfield-Vineyard-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane 2023 Zinfandel &#8220;Banfield Vineyard&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (RRV) $64 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 94<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Limerick-Lane-2023-Monte-Rosso-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane 2023 Zinfandel &#8220;Monte Rosso Vineyard&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Moon Mountain) $72 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 93.5<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Limerick-Lane-2023-Squatters-Hill-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane 2023 Zinfandel &#8220;Squatter&#8217;s Hill&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (RRV) $56 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 93<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Limerick-Lane-2023-Ricci-Block-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane 2023 Zinfandel &#8220;Ricci Block&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (RRV) $68 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 94<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Limerick-Lane-2023-1910-Block-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane 2023 Zinfandel &#8220;1910 Block&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (RRV) $68 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 96<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Limerick-Lane-2023-Rocky-Knoll-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane 2023 Zinfandel &#8220;Rocky Knoll&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (RRV) $68 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 94<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Limerick-Lane-2023-Marquis-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane 2023 Zinfandel &#8220;Marquis&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> (Sonoma County) $72 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 95<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><u>Additional Wine Covered After Our Tasting With Chris<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ol start=\"9\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Limerick-Lane-2023-Russian-River-Zinfandel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane 2023 Zinfandel &#8220;Russian River&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> $46 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 93<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Limerick-Lane-2023-Grenache\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane 2023 Grenache &#8220;Russian River Valley&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> $46 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 91<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Limerick-Lane-2023-Syrah\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane 2023 Syrah &#8220;Russian River Valley&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> $46 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 94<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine_review\/Limerick-Lane-2023-Rocks-and-Fog-Red-Blend\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Limerick Lane 2023 Red Blend &#8220;Rocks &amp; Fog&#8221;<\/strong><\/a> $56 (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><strong>KWGTP 93<\/strong><\/span>)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You can find reviews of past and future Limerick Lane wines that we cover on the <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/wine.php?winery=1522\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><u>Limerick Lane KWG winery page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/span> on our website. We hope you enjoy these terrific wines as much as we did. Cheers! &#8211; Ken<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, we interviewed Chris Pittenger once again. Chris is the winemaker at Limerick Lane. This year we covered eight very impressive 2023-vintage Zinfandels. We also covered four other wines from Limerick Lane in other tastings. In this post, you can learn what is new with Chris and Limerick Lane and read [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2462,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2770,1811,1846,1541,88,11,1813,2771,2772,1814,1540,1201,102,67,43,5,126,8,6,1292,39,1288],"tags":[1806,1803,1798,1509,1792,1790,1791,2774,1810,2775,1808,1809,1508,1165,2776,1805,2777,1807,1469,704,1804,633,523],"class_list":["post-2700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-banfield-vineyard","category-chris-pittenger","category-estate-wines","category-grenache","category-high-end-wines","category-kens-wine-guide-tasting-panel","category-limerick-lane","category-maffei-vineyard","category-monte-rosso-vineyard","category-moon-mountain","category-mourvedre","category-red-blend","category-russian-river-valley","category-sonoma-county","category-syrah","category-us-red-blends","category-wine-ratings","category-wine-recommendations","category-wine-reviews","category-winemaker","category-zinfandel","category-zoom-wine-tasting","tag-1910-block","tag-banfield-vineyard","tag-chris-pittenger","tag-grenache","tag-limerick-lane","tag-limerick-lane-cellars","tag-limerick-lane-vineyards","tag-maffei-vineyard","tag-marquis","tag-monte-rosso","tag-monte-rosso-vineyard","tag-moon-mountain","tag-mourvedre","tag-red-blend","tag-ricci-block","tag-rocks-fog","tag-rocks-and-fog","tag-rocky-knoll","tag-russian-river-valley","tag-sonoma-county","tag-squatters-hill","tag-syrah","tag-zinfandel"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2700"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2703,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2700\/revisions\/2703"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kenswineguide.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}