Joel Peterson founded Ravenswood Winery in 1976 with a focus on Single Vineyard Zinfandel. Ravenswood was immensely successful and over time began producing in excess of a million cases per year. Joel eventually sold Ravenswood to Constellation. I recall going to Ravenswood every August in the mid nineties for the release of their Single Vineyard Zins with the intent of…
Tag: Zinfandel
The Week in Zinfandel (8/4/25)
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!
2018 Carlisle Zinfandel Piner Olivet Ranches – Bottle Notes
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 . The Piner-Olivet Ranches bottling is a relatively new Zinfandel in the Carlisle portfolio. The wine…
The Week in Zinfandel (7/28/25)
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!
2022 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel – Bottle Notes
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…
The Week in Zinfandel (7/21/25)
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!
2022 Papapietro Perry Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley – Bottle Notes
Papapietro Perry Winery was founded in 2000 by Bruce and Renae Perry and Ben and Yolanda Papapietro. The four had been making Pinot Noir in Ben and Yolanda’s San Francisco garage for many years prior. Ben is the current Executive Winemaker. The winery specializes in small lots of Pinot Noirs and Zinfandels from carefully selected vineyards. 2022 Papapietro Perry Zinfandel…
2018 Turley Zinfandel Duarte – Bottle Notes
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…
2019 Bucklin Anne’s Field Blend Upper Fifth Vineyard – Bottle Notes
Bucklin Winery was founded in 2000 by the four Bucklin siblings: Arden, Kate, Ted and Will. Will Bucklin has been a vintner for over 25 years, working in France, Australia, Sonoma, Mendocino and Oregon. Bucklin produces several Zinfandels and Grenache, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a White Field Blend. Anne Teller, the Bucklin’s mother, has been farming commercially in Sonoma Valley…
The Week in Zinfandel (7/7/25)
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!








