Pilot Peak Winery, the newest Northern Sierra foothills winery, has completed its inaugural bottling effort.

The winery, located on Spenceville Road in Penn Valley, celebrated the Feb. 25 event with commemorative T-shirts for all those who participated.

"This special event for our winery is a day that has been long awaited," winemaker Lynn Wilson stated in a media release. "We have all worked very hard to see this day and what a better way to spend it than with all of our friends."

The winery's tasting room will open May 20 with a "Release Party," at which the new releases will be paired with entrees and barrel tasting of the 2005 varietals.

Live music and additional food will be provided outside the winery in its newly developed, stone-walled terraced grounds. The terraces and plantings offer a view of "Pilot Peak," the highest elevation in Penn Valley and the namesake of the winery.

"We have had lots of great experiences already," co-owner Jacque Wilson stated, "but the best is yet to come."

For more information, call 432-3321 or visit www.pilot peak.com