Producer wine
Les Lunes / Populis

COUNTRY :
United States

REGION :
Mendocino

PRODUCTION :

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.

More Info Here

CUVÉES
Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

Populis ” Reversée” 2021

Region: 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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

Licorne Mechante “Le Renard Rusé”

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

Wine

Licorne Mechante “Le Ours Reposé”

Region: Mendocino
Grape: Zinfandel
Vineyard Size:
Soil:
Average Age of Vines:
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: whole cluster, 30 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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

Populis “Wabi-Sabi” White 2018

Region: 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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

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

Wine

Les Lunes Barra Vineyard Chardonnay 2017

Region: Redwood Valley, Mendocino
Grape: Chardonnay
Vineyard Size: 5 hectares
Soil: alluvial, loam
Average Age of Vines: 48 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: direct press, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 9 months in neutral oak, sur lie
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: none

Wine

Les Lunes Arnold’s Block Carignane

Region: Mendocino
Grape: Carignane
Vineyard Size: 1 hectare
Soil: alluvial, loam, riverstone, benchland
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 barrels
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 20 mg/L

Wine

Populis “Reversée” 2018

Region: Mendocino
Grape: Carignane
Vineyard Size: 2 hectares
Soil: alluvial, loam, riverstones
Average Age of Vines: 70 years
Farming: organic
Harvest: by hand
Winemaking: 60% whole cluster, spontaneous fermentation in neutral oak with indigenous yeasts
Aging: 6 months in neutral oak
Fining: none
Filtration: none
Added S02: 15 mg/l