Cep, Peay Vineyard's second label came about because of the disastrous 2011 vintage. That year they lost almost all of their grapes to severe frost so they scrambled and were able to source high-quality fruit from some nearby vineyards so as not to confuse them, they came up with the Cep label. They were a hit and at less than half the price of the estate wines, they give those of us with shallow pockets a peek into their superlative winemaking. Now Cep had become part of the excellent Peay offerings.

The quality of the wine has improved greatly over the years. They have perfected the sourcing of grapes, which now come from meticulously farmed organic vineyards located near the estate. Most of the Cep Pinot is sourced from the Peay Vineyard, while the remaining grapes come from the nearby Campbell Ranch Vineyard. This authentic Sonoma Coast Pinot is made from fruits grown on fog-covered ridges just east of Sea Ranch.

The high-toned nose is captivating with raspberry/strawberry notes mingled with deeper anise and tea notes. The mouthfeel is round, though precise, with a medium-length finish brought into focus by refreshing acidity.