🍾 OFFER CLOSED - Thank you from Paper Planes! - Mystery Packs FLASH SALE! $xxx Shipping Included - Offer Extended through Saturday or While They Last!

[LauraGabriel]

Hi Berserkers, it’s Laura and Kyle from Paper Planes, and we’re thrilled to be joining Berserker Day for the first time in 2026!

We’re a husband-and-wife–run winery founded in 2014 through crowdfunding, self-taught and self-funded from the very beginning, so being welcomed into this community means a lot to us, especially with so many longtime Berserkers among our friends and customers. Shout out to Graeme MacDonald and @Rory_Williams, part of our OG Napa tasting group who first introduced us to Berserkers almost ten years ago, to @Jill_Matthiasson for the newbie referral to @ToddFrench , @Patrick_Taylor for believing in us, and @Jake_Rubash for the support from day one!

About Paper Planes

Paper Planes makes fresh, low-intervention wines meant for the table, led by a vibrant, moderate-alcohol Russian River Pinot Noir, a fresh, whole-cluster pressed Pinot rosé, and supported by lesser known varietals like Nero d’Avola, Grenache, and Valdiguié (and for the first time in 2025… Assyrtiko!) For Berserker Day we’re excited to share a mix of library bottles, current releases, and limited pre-release packs from our 2025 vintage. Our wines are all about energy, connection, and community, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on with you all.

PAPER PLANES BD17 FLIGHT PACKAGES

$25 Flat Rate Shipping on All Orders – Shipping INCLUDED in 12+ bottles

• The Round Trip Picks - restocked mystery 12-packs with a bottle of !! Killer deal at $xxx shipping included (that’s $xxx a bottle, yes we are crazy, you are welcome)

  • We’ll select a mix of twelve bottles from current release and library, including our Pet Nat Sparkling that is only available in this set.

CLICK HERE TO BUY

• Final Boarding Call - only 6 available for $xxx (30% off!!)

  • 2023 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

  • 2019 “Hidden Track” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

  • 2017 “Hidden Track” Pinot Noir, Russian River ValleyThe One Way Ticket

CLICK HERE TO BUY

• The Pre-Boarding Set – futures! Will ship 4/1

  • 2025 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
  • 2025 Assyrtiko, Suisun Valley
  • 2025 Valdiguie, Suisun Valley

CLICK HERE TO BUY

• Lost and Found – library vertical, only 3 left!

  • 2023 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
  • 2019 “Hidden Track” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
  • 2017 “Hidden Track” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
  • 2022 Grenache, Russian River Valley
  • 2018 “Hidden Track” Grenache, Russian River Valley
  • 2017 “Hidden Track” Grenache, Russian River Valley

CLICK HERE TO BUY

• The Captain’s Picks – Mystery mixed six-pack of our favorite wines

  • includes six unique bottles, many of which are not available in other packs

CLICK HERE TO BUY

Wine Notes

• 2025 Pét Nat Sparkling. About a week before harvest, we start a pied de cuve from the vineyard, ferment the wine natively, bottle it by hand at just the right moment for natural bubbles, then let it rest a full year before hand-disgorging, topping, and labeling each bottle with zero added SO₂. White peach, brioche, lemon. 12.5% abv

• 2025 Assyrtiko, Suisun Valley. Made from 100% Assyrtiko from the Clayton Vineyard in Suisun Valley, this white wine brings us straight to the Mediterranean. Fermented in neutral French oak. Round texture, matched with zippy lemon. 13.2% abv

• 2025 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. Made from 100% Pinot Noir from the Windsor Oaks Vineyard in the Russian River Valley, the 2025 vintage shows lifted aromatics of tropical florals and peach blossom, round texture and bright citrus and a crisp, lingering finish. 12.5% abv

• 2025 Valdiguie, Suisun Valley. Perhaps our best expression yet, the 2025 Valdiguié from Carty Ranch in Suisun Valley shows bright, high-tone fruit, depth of flavor, and structure from 50% whole-cluster fermentation. 14.5% abv.

• 2024 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. Our 2024 rosé is our palest yet, almost white in color but full of energy, with spring florals, zippy citrus, vibrant acidity, and a crisp, lingering finish, made from 100% Pinot Noir from Windsor Oaks Vineyard and fermented in neutral French oak for beautiful texture and lift. 12.5% abv

• 2023 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. Mostly destemmed w/partial whole cluster, co-fermented; 9 months in neutral oak. Red cherry, black tea, subtle spice. Drinks well when young or with a bit of age. 13% abv.

• 2023 Grenache, Sierra Foothills. Our 2023 Grenache comes from the organically farmed Zula Mae Vineyard in the Sierra Foothills at 1,700 feet, where granite soils and a mix of destemmed and whole-cluster fermentation give the wine bright red fruit, black tea, and a crunchy, energetic texture, aged mostly in neutral Stockinger puncheon. 14.5% abv

• 2023 Nero d’Avola, Suisun Valley. Our 2023 Nero d’Avola, from the young Clayton Vineyard in Suisun Valley, was native-fermented, gently extracted, and aged in neutral French oak before bottle rest, resulting in a smooth, expressive wine that nods to our shared Sicilian roots. hint hint: only available in mystery packs. 12.5% abv

• 2022 Grenache, Russian River Valley. The 2022 Paper Planes Grenache from Windsor Oaks Vineyard in the Russian River Valley was made from a tiny sub-ton lot with partial whole cluster fermentation, gently basket-pressed and aged 10 months in neutral French oak, delivering lifted aromatics, subtle spice, and an textured finish. 14.5% abv.

• 2019 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast. Our 2019 Pinot Noir comes from the organically farmed Gardner Vineyard in Sonoma Valley, made from rare Dijon clone 114 with mostly destemmed fruit, partial whole cluster, and aged eight months in neutral oak for a wine that’s fruity, structured, and subtly spiced. 13.3% abv.

• 2017 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley. Our first vintage of Pinot Noir comes from the Windsor Oaks vineyard in the Russian River Valley. Hand-picked on August 31, 2017, fermented in two lots with partial whole cluster using clones 667 and 459, then aged nine months in neutral oak for an elegant, aromatic expression. 14.5% abv.

[Patrick_Taylor]

TLDR: “Patrick, can we give you money to buy these on BD17?” - My taster group.

Our group of ten enjoyed a night with Paper Planes. They started out making exclusively rose’, then branched out to red wines a few vintages ago. Laura and Kyle Gabriel sent six wines to try. Right out of the box, we were taken by the beautiful labels. They are thematic and eye-catching, especially when grouped together. It was obvious they put a lot of thought into it.

Paper Planes picks their fruit early by design. Their overall intent is to make wines that are approachable young, and to be had with food. Knowing that, we had a pot-luck dinner.

2024 and 2022 Paper Planes Rose’, Windsor Oaks Vineyard, RRV ($32)
Paired with cheese, crackers, mixed nuts. (2024) White peach - loads of it. Young and biting. Refreshing. When overly chilled, you could tell it was earlier picked fruit; it improved and had much more character when it warmed up. Don’t serve it too cold.

(2022) More subtle; lingering instead of biting. Though it had age, it did not add thickness; it was still refreshing. “Probably the lightest rose’ of Pinot that I’ve ever had – and that’s a compliment.” (wine buddy Alex). Good for summer. No change in the glass. For my palate, 2023 is probably the sweet spot.

2023 Paper Planes Pinot Noir, WIndsor Oaks Vineyard, RRV ($50)
Paired with warm lentil salad. 25% whole cluster. 13% abv for RRV is an accomplishment and it did not taste underripe or green. Light bodied and fresh. “I don’t know why I like it. I just do.” (Juli, definitely not a Berserker). Would like to see what this is like in 2 or 3 years. The lentils and spinach really bring out an earthy/soil component.

2023 Paper Planes Grenache, Zula Mae Vineyard, Sierra Foothills ($40)
Laura told us this is great with chicken noodle soup and Ruffles. “Trust me” she wrote. To accommodate dietary preferences, this was paired with vegetable noodle soup and ruffles. 50% whole cluster. Neutral French oak 9 months. 14.5% but not very noticeable. The wine needs salt; the chips really bring the fruit out. Good light styled food wine. “Lighter styled… so good and pleasant..” (wine buddy Nate). “Delightful.” Pixie Sticks on the nose. Chocolate wafer on the palate w/o food; lots of berries with food. “All of the depth but not overly punchy/high-toned as 100% Grenache can often be.” (me)

2023 Paper Planes Valdiguie, Suisun Valley, CA ($40)
Paired with gochujang-spiced sauteed red peppers and onions. By itself… very grapey, you can see the “Napa Gamay” nickname. With spicy food, this was GREAT! It really came alive and tempered the heat. Nose had a fennel-ish note. Nice. “This would be great on taco night.” (wine buddy Jackie) “Normally you have white wines with spicy food; this is a red that goes very well with it.” (Alex)

2023 Paper Planes Nero d’Avola, Clayton Vineyard, Suisun Valley ($40)
Paired with spicy pepperoni pizza. Subtle and inoffensive, this wine brings out the pepperoni. “I would like a little more weight on this one; needs a bit more body to stand up to the pizza.” (Nate) ‘This probably needed to hang on the vine a little longer or age in bottle longer.” (Alex) “I like this one the best.” (Beth, non-Berserker)

TLDR pt 2: Take a flyer on Paper Planes! (SWIDT?)

Disclosure: these wines were provided at no cost to the reviewer.

[Patrick_Taylor]

Taster notes from @TKazi

Pleasant wines for early drinking. My group and I (3-5 people, spread out over 3 days, serious long term drinkers, ITB, and/or WSET 3’d at least) tasted three wines from Paper Planes.

Paper Planes Grenache: apshalt, red cherry, astringent herbs, fruit. Overwhelming tannin on opening, more integrated after an hour but still very present.

Paper Planes Pinot Noir: plum, mild tea, pretty balanced. More fruit showed through with a bit of air. Not for aging but pleasant.

Paper Planes Nero d’Avola: Red and black fruit, currant, black pepper, tart cherry moderate + tannin and acidity. Pleasant wine with a bit of a tart cherry hit.

Disclosure: these wines were provided at no cost to the reviewer.

Thanks, Tess!

[TKazi]

@LauraGabriel

energy, connection, and community

Perfect description. What a well suited name, Paper Planes – these wines are joyful and for enjoying together. Wish you a fab 1st BD, @LauraGabriel!

[LauraGabriel]

Hey Friends! We’re so excited to be here as a NEWBIE! Click here to watch a short video where you can get to know us a little better. - Laura + Kyle

[LauraGabriel]

Love your comment about the Lentils bringing out the earthyness in the Pinot Noir. This wine is a chameleon! Pair it with something earthy or something spicy-ish (we love it with pepperoni pizza or roast chicken), this wine goes with EVERYTHING!

[emilyrasmussen]

Yesssss so excited to see Paper Planes here for BD17! Hi @LauraGabriel!!!

[LauraGabriel]

Thanks Emily!!! The people need their 13% Russian River Pinot

[LauraGabriel]

Thank you Tess! Our goal is to make wines that are exciting/fresh upon seeing the label/opening the bottle, and as you enjoy them you kind of go… wait a minute… this wine is REALLY good!

[LauraGabriel]

Story time!! Paper Planes started in our LA apartment with Kyle brewing beer in the closet. Some batches were great, some were… not. Spoiler alert: don’t use expired yeast!!! I grew up in Napa and my parents worked in wine, so naturally I was convinced I wanted nothing to do with it. Then Kyle and I came out to California for the first time in 2008. He’s from New Jersey, had never been west of the Mississippi, and immediately fell down the wine rabbit hole. Back in LA, that curiosity turned into brewing, hosting dinner parties, and slowly realizing that wine was less about being precious and more about bringing people together.

In 2014 we crowdfunded Paper Planes, Kyle took a sabbatical from his job at Disney Animation to work a harvest in Sebastopol, and (shocker) we never went back. We just kept going, learning as we went, making wine we actually wanted to drink and share. Fast forward to 2024, we opened The River Club, which somehow ended up on the SF Chronicle’s list of top wineries in Napa. Not long after, the buyer from The French Laundry wandered into one of our events unannounced, and now our Pinot Noir is on their list. It still kind of blows our minds, but it’s a good reminder that sometimes the best things really do start in a tiny apartment with a lot of curiosity and a little chaos. Thank you for including us as a part of the newbie class for BD17!

[Brad_S_w_a_l_l_o_w]

I have to trust wine recommendations from the guy who leads the annual Dry January thread, right? Of course I do, so I went onto the website looking for the Captain’s Picks Mystery Sixer offer and found a Roundtrip case option that was not in the initial email. If some is good, more (with free shipping) is better!

Welcome to Berserkerday, Paper Planes. Before placing my order, I had to ask myself:

Yes, I do feel lucky. I can’t wait to see what you pick for my Roundtrip Ticket!

[LauraGabriel]

YAAAS Brad you made the right choice. We won’t let you down. Do you prefer younger wines or with a little bit of age? Our 2017 Pinot is drinking beauuutifully right now

[Brad_S_w_a_l_l_o_w]

Thanks for the shout out! I have an open mind, but I do like wines with some age on them. Nothing like an assortment of both as an introduction to a new (for me) producer!

I hope you have a fun and successful first Berserkerday.

[LauraGabriel]

Yessir – we’re on it!! I think our wines age in the sweet spot at 5-10 years. Will pack up some gems for you.

[DJ_Silverberg]

Website is not taking code for shipping

[Matt_Perry]

Best of luck fellow newbies! I also started my wine career after homebrewing! Still trying to tick that French Laundry box though…

[LauraGabriel]

Sorry about that! If you place you’re order we’ll refund the extra shipping cost and look into why the code isn’t working!

[Erica_O_r_r]

I bit on the pre-boarding set! Looking forward to trying these!
Laura, we have a mutual friend in Rebekah Wineburg. Welcome to BerserkerDay!

[DJ_Silverberg]

Order placed. Site took my billing address as shipping address. Sent you an e-mail with the correct shipping address. Looking forward to Lost and Found

DJ