Limerick Lane Cellars is in the Russian River Valley just south of the town of Healdsburg. The Del Fava family planted the oldest currently producing vineyard at Limerick Lane in 1910, a field blend consisting mostly of Zinfandel. In 1977, the Del Favas sold their thirty acre property to brothers Michael and Tom Collins. The two brothers began by selling…
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…
Quilceda Creek Vintners was founded in 1978 by Alex and Jeanette Golitzin. Alex Golitzin is a nephew of André Tchelistcheff, the legendary winemaker who put Beaulieu Vineyard at the forefront of Napa Valley Cabernet in the 1960s and 70s. He credits summer trips to visit his uncle in St. Helena, California with developing his early interest in wine. Alex’s son,…
Anderson Family Vineyard was founded by Cliff and Allison Anderson over 20 years ago. The winery is situated in the Dundee Hills of Willamette Valley and specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Golden in color. 13% ABV. Pretty nose of tropical fruits, lemon oil, butter and flowers. Full bodied with ample acidity. Rich and oily. Mango, pineapple, lemon and butterscotch…
One of the most collectible Pinot Noirs made in all of Oregon is from a winery you’ve probably never heard of: Thomas Winery. Located in Carlton, Oregon, winemaker John Thomas has been releasing small amounts of wine from the Thomas Vineyard since 1988. I don’t recall ever seeing ratings from the Wine Advocate or the Wine Spectator, and I don’t think…
Alberto Rafanelli, an Italian immigrant, first founded A. Rafanelli Winery in the early 1900’s. It wasn’t until the early 70’s that Alberto’s son, Americo, came out with the present day label and started selling the wine commercially. David and Patty Rafanelli now run the winery and a 4th generation Rafanelli, their daughter Shelly, is the winemaker. The winery is perhaps…
Young Hagen produces wines of distinction from carefully selected vineyard sites. Committed to crafting wines that tell the story of each vineyard’s unique site expression and vintage. In addition to Young Hagen, winemaker/proprietor Tim Beranek is Director of Winemaking at Thomas Rivers Brown Winemaking. Jim Riddle owns and farms this vineyard just Northeast of Occidental on Stoetz Lane, just seven miles from…
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. Cheers!
No Girls Wines is a partnership between famed Cayuse vigneron Christophe Baron and longtime friend and Cayuse general manager, Trevor Dorland. The fruit comes from the Cayuse La Paciencia vineyard, which means patience—appropriate as the project was ten years in the making. The vines are tightly spaced and planted on an angle, giving No Girls a profile all its own. Karen…
Established in the early 1990s, Northstar Winery was founded with a singular, ambitious vision: to create world-class Merlots that could rival the finest examples from Bordeaux. David “Merf” Merfeld joined the Northstar team in 2001 and took over as head winemaker in 2005. The winery recently sent me samples of their new releases. 2022 Northstar Merlot – Crimson in color.…