Welcome to the latest installment of The Week in Zinfandel. If I missed your post or story please send me a link and I will be sure to include it next week. Allen Balik writes A New Recognition of Old Vines. Aaron Romano writes 8 Outstanding California Zinfandels for Grilling Season. Laura Burgess writes Why Many of California’s Best-Known Winemakers…
La Rata was founded by Elizabeth Bourcier in 2012. Bourcier, Cayuse’s assistant Vigneron, was inspired by Clos Erasmus of the Priorat region of Spain and crafted this blend. The wine was originally a blend of Grenache from Armada Vineyard and Cabernet from En Cerise Vineyard. Syrah from La Paciencia Vineyard was added with the 2014 vintage. The unique blend was named…
Chateau Lagrange is a third-growth St-Julien owned by the Suntory group since 1983. The 270 acre estate is situated next to Gruaud Larose. The winery went through major improvements and huge investments in the decades that followed the purchase by Suntory. The vineyard is planted to 67% Cabernet Sauvignon , 27% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot . Today, the average age…
Guy Breton took over the family domaine from his grandfather in 1986. Until that point, the family was selling their fruit to the large cooperative wineries. Breton’s domaine is comprised of just over four hectares most of which lies in the appellation of Morgon. Guy Breton along with Marcel Lapierre, Jean-Paul Thévenet and Jean Foillard was part of the Kermit…
Rochioli is one of the true pioneers in Russian River Valley, with a winemaking history dating back to the the late 1950′s. In 1987 Rochioli released their first estate wine, the 1985 Rochioli Pinot Noir. Although best known for their world class Pinot Noir, Rochioli also produces remarkable Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. River Block is a portion of Rochioli Vineyard…
Winemaker Matt Courtney founded Ferren Wines in 2013 with longtime friend David Wherritt after an eight-year apprenticeship with Helen Turley at Marcassin Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast. Ferren specializes in Sonoma Coast Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Matt is also the winemaker at Arista. Silver Eagle is a thirty-acre vineyard situated among the rolling hills north of Occidental, in the Green…
Welcome to the latest installment of The Week in Zinfandel. If I missed your post or story please send me a link and I will be sure to include it next week. Randy Caparoso writes 2022 update on Lodi’s oldest vine growths (part 1)—west side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Sonoma Magazine writes 18 Best Dog-Friendly Wineries in Sonoma County.…
Zinfandel of the Month is a regular feature on Zinfandel Chronicles. Keep in mind that although the Zinfandel of the Month might be an older bottle, the current vintage will be one you can find at retail or via the mailing list. The June Zinfandel of the Month is the 2019 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley. I chose this…
Robert Brittan left Stags’ Leap Winery in Napa after 16 years as Winemaker and Estate Manager to fulfill his dream of making Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah from unique sites in cooler climates. In 2004 he and his wife Ellen purchased a 128 acre estate in the foothills of the Coast Range in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and shortly thereafter founded Brittan Vineyards. All of the wines made at Brittan Vineyards are estate wines.…
Switchback Ridge wines are sourced from the Peterson Family Vineyard. The property, located just off the Silverado Trail between St. Helena and Calistoga has been in the Peterson Family since 1914 and was replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah in 1990. Kelly Peterson along with her father John founded Switchback Ridge in 1999. She is responsible for all aspects…