Les Lunes / Populis
COUNTRY: United States
REGION: Mendocino
Shaunt Oungoulian and Diego Roig
Shaunt Oungoulian and Diego Roig produce two wines, Populis and Les Lunes Wine. With Populis, they purchase grapes from historic vineyards and multi-generational growers from Mendocino County. These wines are fresh, lively, fruit forward, and made in a playful style. In addition to making wine, they farm and manage over 8 ha of vineyards in Sonoma and Napa and are committed 100% to organic farming and restoring and preserving older and historic vineyards in those counties. Their Les Lunes Wines are made from these vineyards and the top sites from their growers in Mendocino County. The Les Lunes Wines show the more classic, refined, elegant, and ageable side of natural wine.
Their facility is literally the basement of Shaunt’s parents’ house in Orinda, just east of Berkeley. This allows them to produce wine without the interference of other wineries’ yeasts or influences as well as allowing them to age their wine for multiple vintages before release if needed.
They are absolutely 100% committed to farming and producing wines organically. They make no additions to the wines save for a small dose of sulfur before bottling if needed, as determined on a barrel by barrel basis.
CUVÉES
Populis Macerated White 2023
Region: Mendocino
Grape: 40% Grenache Blanc, 20% Ribolla Gialla, 15% Chardonnay, 10% Picpoul, 8% Albariñ0, 7% Orange Muscat
Vineyard: Grapes are sourced from vineyards in Lodi, Mendocino and the Sierra Foothills
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: Grenache Blanc and Orange Muscat – destemmed, 5 day maceration. Ribolla Gialla – destemmed and pressed when dry (2 weeks). Chardonnay – destemmed and pressed when dry (10 days). Picpoul and Albariño – direct press.
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 25 mg/L
Populis Rosé 2023
Region: Mendocino
Grape: 42% Zinfandel, 40% Pinot Gris, 8% Nero d’Avola, 4% Orange Muscat, 4% French Colombard, 2% Cinsault
Vineyard: Grapes are sourced from vineyards in Mendocino, Lodi, Clarksburg, and the Sierra Foothills
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: Zinfandel and Colombard – direct press. Pinot Gris and Muscat – 5 day maceration on the skins. Nero d’Avola – overnight footstomped and pressed. Cinsault – carbonic maceration. Blended January 2024, bottled February.
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added Added S02: 20ppm
Astral 2022
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Grenache, Syrah
Vineyard: Grapes are sourced from vineyards in Mendocino, Sonoma Carneros, and Sonoma Valley.
Farming: organic, transitioning to dry-farming
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: Pinot Noir and Grenache destemmed and macerated for 5 days. Zinfandel many ways — destemmed and macerated for 5 days, carbonic maceration, direct press rosé, and co-fermented with Syrah. Chardonnay 50% direct press and 50% co-fermented with Zinfandel rosé.
Aging: Flextanks and neutral French oak barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added Added S02: 18ppm
Populis ” Reversée” 2021
egion: Mendocino
Grape: Carignane, Zinfandel, Grenache
Vineyard Size: 2 hectares
Soil: loam, sandstone, shale, quartz
Average Age of Vines: 75 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: separate spontaneous fermentation in polyethylene with indigenous yeasts, malolactic fermentation
Aging: in polyethylene
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 15 mg/L
Populis “Wabi-Sabi” 2021
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, French Colombard, Pinot Blanc, Muscat
Vineyard Size:
Soil: clay
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: Chardonnay fermented on skins, spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 7 months in tanks, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 18 mg/L
Santa Cruz Mountains Barbera
Region: Santa Cruz Mountains
Grape: Barbera
Vineyard Size: 6.75 hectares
Soil: loam, sandstone, schist, shale
Average Age of Vines: 30 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: destemmed, 2 week maceration, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 9 months in neutral oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 7 mg/L
Rosé 2018
Region: California, Utah
Grape: Tinta Roriz, Souzão, Touriga Nacional
Vineyard Size: 1.60 hectares
Soil: sandstone
Average Age of Vines: 17 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, malolactic fermentation in polyethylene
Aging: in polyethylene
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Licorne Mechante Pétillant-Naturel 2019
Region: Lodi
Grape: Zinfandel
Vineyard Size:
Soil:
Average Age of Vines:
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts
Aging: méthode ancestrale
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Les Lunes Elvie’s Block Carignane
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Carignane
Vineyard Size:
Soil:
Average Age of Vines: 100 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 30 day maceration, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak and stainless steel with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 24 months in neutral oak and stainless steel, 12 months in bottle
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 18 mg/L
Les Lunes Linda Vista Vineyard Chardonnay
Region: Napa
Grape: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size:
Soil:
Average Age of Vines: 25 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in neutral French oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 18 months in neutral French oak, 6 months in bottle
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 14 mg/L
Les Lunes Black Vineyard Merlot
Region: Mendocino County
Grape: Merlot
Vineyard Size:
Soil:
Average Age of Vines:
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: destemmed, 14 day maceration, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 24 months in neutral oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Les Lunes “Cosmic” 2018
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Vineyard Size:
Soil:
Average Age of Vines:
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: destemmed, separate, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak and polyethylene with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 7 months in bottle
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Populis “Reversée” 2019
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Carignane, Zinfandel, Grenache, French Colombard
Vineyard Size: 2 hectares
Soil: loam, sandstone, shale, quartz
Average Age of Vines: 75 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: separate, spontaneous fermentation in polyethylene with indigenous yeasts, malolactic fermentation
Aging: in polyethylene
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 15 mg/L
Populis “Wabi-Sabi” White 2018
egion: Mendocino
Grape: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, French Colombard
Vineyard Size:
Soil: clay
Average Age of Vines: 70 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, separate, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 7 months in neutral oak, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 4.5 mg/L
Populis Venturi Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard Size: 1 hectare
Soil: alluvial, loam, riverstones
Average Age of Vines: 70 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak and polyethylene with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 4.5 months in polyethylene tanks, 1.5 months in neutral oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Populis “Licorne Mechante” 2018
Region: California
Grape: Carignane
Vineyard Size: 2 hectares
Soil: alluvial, loam, riverstones
Average Age of Vines: 70 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: small percentage of just-fermenting 2017 added to 2016 still rosé as tirage, 18 months sur latte, disgorged
Aging: 12 months in neutral barrels, 18 months sur latte
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 20 mg/L
Stock Pot 2022
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Vineyard: Grapes are sourced from vineyards in Mendocino (60-80 year old vines on loamy ancient riverbeds) and Lodi (Clement Hills vines are rare volcanic uplifts)
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: small quantity of grapes macerated for 5 days, the rest direct press. vineyards pressed and fermented separately.
Aging: in bottle
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added Added S02: 25ppm
Populis Rosé 2022
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Zinfandel, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Orange Muscat
Vineyard: Grapes are sourced from vineyards in Mendocino, Lodi, and Clarksburg
Soils: Sandy loam, dense clay
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: Zinfandel and Pinot Gris — whole cluster direct press, juice settled overnight before decanting off the solids. Chardonnay and Orange Muscat — destemmed, macerated on the skins for 10 days. Each variety fermented separately.
Aging: 5 months on the lees
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added Added S02: 18ppm
Populis Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc with minimal French Colombard, Orange Muscat
Vineyard: Grapes are sourced from vineyards in Mendocino and Lodi
Soils: Gravelly loam, sandy loam
Average Age of Vines: 70 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: Mostly whole cluster direct press, some plots fermented on the skins. Each vineyard fermented separately in stainless steel and flextanks.
Aging: in bottle
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added Added S02: 18ppm
Populis Macerated Chardonnay
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size: 5 hectares
Soil: sand, silt, clay
Average Age of Vines: 50 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: destemmed, maceration and spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 4 months in neutral oak and stainless steel, 7 months in stainless steel
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 18 mg/L
Les Lunes Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Los Carneros, Sonoma
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Vineyard Size:
Soil: alluvium, loam, granite, clay loam
Average Age of Vines:
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: destemmed, 4-14 day maceration, separate, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak and polyethylene with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 9 months in neutral oak and polyethylene
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 15 mg/L
Santa Clara Valley Mourvèdre
Region: Santa Clara Valley
Grape: Mourvèdre
Vineyard Size: 1.09 hectares
Soil: sandy loam
Average Age of Vines: 10 years
Farming: transitioning to organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: destemmed, 1.5 week maceration, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 8 months in neutral oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 20 mg/L
“Dinos to Diamonds”
Region: Los Carneros, Sonoma
Grape: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Size: 0.50 hectares
Soil: sedimentary, clay
Average Age of Vines: 20 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking:
Aging:
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Les Lunes Brueske Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
Region: Los Carneros, Sonoma
Grape: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Size: 0.50 hectares
Soil: sedimentary, clay
Average Age of Vines: 20 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 50% destemmed, 50% whole cluster, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 9 months in neutral oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 18 mg/L
Les Lunes Barra Vineyard Chardonnay
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size: 5 hectares
Soil: alluvial, loam
Average Age of Vines: 48 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak and stainless steel with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 4 months in neutral oak and stainless steel, 7 months in stainless steel
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 14 mg/L
Les Lunes Los Carneros Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot 2017
Region: Los Carneros, Sonoma
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Vineyard Size:
Soil: alluvium, loam
Average Age of Vines: 20 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: destemmed, separate, 14 day spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 24 months in neutral oak, 12 months in bottle
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Les Lunes “Cosmic” 2019
Region: Sonoma
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Vineyard Size:
Soil:
Average Age of Vines:
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: destemmed, separate, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak and polyethylene with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in bottle
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 18 mg/L
Populis “Wabi-Sabi” Red 2019
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Zinfandel, Carignane, Chenin Blanc, Grenache, French Colombard, Pinot Gris
Vineyard Size:
Soil: sandstone, shale, quartz
Average Age of Vines: 20-70 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: partially destemmed, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak and polyethylene with indigenous yeasts
Aging: in neutral oak and polyethylene
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 18 mg/L
Populis “Wabi-Sabi” White 2019
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat
Vineyard Size:
Soil: clay
Average Age of Vines: 46 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, destemmed Muscat, 10 day maceration, separate, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 7 months in neutral oak, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 11 mg/L
Populis “Arancia”
Region: Santa Barbara
Grape: Grenache Blanc
Vineyard Size:
Soil: alluvium, loam
Average Age of Vines:
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: destemmed, 10 day maceration, spontaneous fermentation in neutral French oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 9 months in neutral French oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Les Lunes Brueske Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017
Region: Los Carneros, Sonoma
Grape: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Size: 0.50 hectares
Soil: sedimentary, clay
Average Age of Vines: 20 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 50% destemmed, 50% whole cluster, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 9 months in neutral oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none
Les Lunes Venturi Vineyard Zinfandel
Region: Mendocino
Grape: Zinfandel
Vineyard Size: 4 hectares
Soil: alluvial, loam, riverstones, hillside
Average Age of Vines: 70 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: whole cluster, 30 day maceration, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 18 months in neutral oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 20 mg/L
