First congrats to Hitching Post for their Double Gold at the 2025 Orange County Fair for their Fiddlestix 2022 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills.

The tradition of innovation and never standing pat at Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post Wines continues with the 2nd generation of Family involvement. Co-Founder Gray Hartley’s son, Winemaker Weston, had an idea to create a French-style Piquette wine with the byproduct of vinifying the Valdiguie grape. Piquette is a low-alcohol wine (7 per cent) made from the second pressings of grape pomace. The Hitching Post creation is pleasantly fizzy.

One barrel (25 cases) was made as an experiment and wine devotees already give it high marks. The very limited bottling is presently available on their Website for $20.00.

“Piquette is a low alcohol, simply stated, slightly sparkling wine beverage that is refreshing, fun and easy to drink. Technically it is not a wine since it is made by adding water to grape pomace. It is then allowed to rehydrate and macerate to gain color and flavor rather than fermenting the grapes themselves. This second use for the grapes is a practice that goes back centuries to the ancient Greeks and Romans. The name is derived from the French term 'piquer' meaning to prick or prickle - the textural sensation it provides. Though Hitching Post Piquette is fresh and direct, they give it the same thoughtful consideration as their more complex wines.” 

Gray and Weston Hartley join us to pull the cork on their Fizzy Valdiguie Piquette. You will also see Hitching Post Wines at L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade on Oct. 4th on the Royce Quad at UCLA.