Ridge Vineyards was founded in 1959 when three Stanford Research Institute engineers bought an abandoned winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyards had been planted in the late 19th century by a San Francisco physician who produced his first vintage in the original winery, called Monte Bello, in 1892. The first Ridge vintage was in 1962. Paul Draper recently…
Thomas Rivers Brown and his wife Genevieve Marie Welsh have quickly made Rivers-Marie one of California’s most sought after Pinot Noir labels. The winery was founded in 2002 and the first release was the Rivers-Marie Summa Vineyard Pinot Noir. In addition to the line up of Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs, Rivers-Marie also makes a several single vineyard Cabernets and Chardonnay. Thomas is…
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. The winery has published a detailed map of…
Turley Wine Cellars was founded in 1993 by Larry Turley and specializes in small lots of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah from some of California’s most historic and treasured vineyards. Turley now makes right around 50 separate wines from 47 different vineyards, some with vines that date back to the late 1800’s. Tegan Passalacqua is the Director of Winemaking at Turley and…
Delmore was founded by Darren Delmore in 2017. Darren had a background making wine at noted wineries including Hirsch, Goldeneye and Two Hands and managed sales at Tablas Creek. The winery specializes in cool climate Syrahs and Pinots. Bassi Vineyard is located on the hillsides of Avila Valley, 1 mile from Avila Beach on the San Luis Obispo coast. Bright…
Carlisle Winery & Vineyards was founded in 1998 by Mike and Kendall Officer. Their passion is clear: Small lots of Zinfandel and Syrah from exceptional, historic vineyards. Many of these vineyards are heritage sites planted by Italian immigrants and date back to the late 1800s . Dupratt Vineyard is located on the Mendocino Ridge only 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean.…
Dehlinger Winery is located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County and was founded in 1975 by Tom and Carole Dehlinger. Eva Dehlinger took over winemaking duties in 2007. Known for their Pinot Noir, Dehlinger also makes Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah Dehlinger Pinot Noir is sourced from the estate vineyards on Vine Hill Road. Goldridge is…
Wonderment Wines was founded in 2011 by Stephanie Cook. The wines are focused on specific terroir where each wine represents the vineyards distinctive style and expression. Stephanie honed her winemaking skills at Robert Biale Vineyards, Spottswoode Estate and Spy Valley in New Zealand before going out on her own. Wonderment Wines produces Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Petite Sirah and Sauvignon Blanc.…
SEAWOLF Wines is a partnership between two winemakers dedicated to natural winemaking and hands-on organic farming. Living life in the vineyard and on the sea has spawned SEAWOLF Wines. Founded by Jesse Hall and Emma Kudritzki Hall in 2014 the winery is located in the Yorkville Highlands. At their organic dry farmed Estate vineyard in Yorkville, they grow Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache,…
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 February Zinfandel of the Month is the 2019 SEAWOLF Zinfandel Battaglini Vineyard. I chose this Zinfandel as…