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…
2017 Bodegas El Nido Jumilla Clio – Bottle Notes
Bodegas El Nido is a 100-acre estate in the Valle de La Aragona, in the Jumilla region of Spain. It was founded in 2002 and is a collaboration between Australian winemaker Chris Ringland and the Gil Family. Grapes grown are Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon. Two wines are produced, the Clio, which is 70% Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the…
2019 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – Bottle Notes
Williams Selyem Winery began when Ed Selyem and Burt Williams started making wine as a hobby in 1979 in Forestville, California. Their first commercial release was in 1981, and in less than two decades they created a cult-status winery of international acclaim. Setting a new standard for Pinot Noir winemaking, they put Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley at the forefront…
2021 Bedrock Wine Co. Heritage Wine Nervo Ranch – Bottle Notes
Bedrock Wine Co. was founded by Morgan Twain-Peterson in 2007 and focuses on small production wines from many of California’ s most treasured and historic vineyards. The lineup of wines at Bedrock is expansive, but I think the best of the best are the ancient vineyard Zinfandels, Morgan is clearly passionate about. Nervo Ranch is situated in Alexander Valley and…
The Week in Zinfandel (10/6/25)
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!
2016 Black Kite Pinot Noir Kite’s Rest – Bottle Notes
Black Kite Cellars, a family-run winery, specializing in block-designated Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Founded by Donald and Maureen Green in 2003, Black Kite is named for the beautiful but endangered Black Shouldered Kite that is native to the Anderson Valley. Jeff Gaffner of Saxon Brown is the consulting winemaker. Kite’s Rest is a blend from distinct blocks of the Estate…
2013 Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon – Bottle Notes
Leonetti Cellar was founded in 1977 by Gary and Nancy Figgins. Leonetti and Quilceda Creek put premium Washington Cabernet Sauvignon on the radar of wine consumers across the United States. Leonetti also produces one of the very best domestic Merlots. Leonetti is part of Figgins Family Wine Estates. Chris Figgins is now in charge of the winemaking. Bright crimson in…
2019 Chev Pinot Noir Oregon – Bottle Notes
CHEV was founded by Michael and Sarah Browne. Michael, of course, was one of the founders of Kosta Browne almost 25 years ago. Chev focuses on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The name CHEV is imspired by Michael’s love of old school workmanship, from classic cars to vintage clocks. Crimson in color. 14% ABV. Savory nose of red and black fruits,…
2020 Jean-Paul Thevenet Morgon Vieilles Vignes – Bottle Notes
Jean-Paul Thévenet is one of the Gang of Four of Beaujolais (the others being Guy Breton, Jean Foillard and Marcel Lapierre) and perhaps best embodies the traditional qualities that these winemakers have championed. Thevenet works a plot of extremely old vines in the Morgon appellation. The average age of the vines is 70 years and they are cultivated organically and…
2014 Young Hagen Pinot Noir Riddle Vineyard – Bottle Notes
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…









