Surrounded by rolling hills and streams in the heart of Amador County’s picturesque Shenandoah Valley, Renwood Winery is experiencing an exciting resurgence. The winery, which was founded in 1993, has always been lauded for its excellent wines. Now under new Argentinean ownership, Dave Crippen, who has been Renwood’s winemaker since 2003, couldn’t be happier. “I have been making wine for 30 years this harvest and have never felt as optimistic and enthusiastic as I do today,” Dave says.
For starters, Assistant Winemaker Jon Affonso is back on board. “Jon has great skills and will keep a close eye on our daily operations,” Dave says. “In addition, our winery has been updated with some excellent new equipment and the addition of over 1,000 new oak barrels—500 of them French.”
Dave is also expanding his winemaking horizons, having toured the South American wine properties of Renwood’s new owners.
“We have quite a team worldwide with all levels of expertise,” Dave says. “In Argentina and Uruguay, they are working with grape varieties with which I have little experience, such as Malbec and Torrontés. On the other hand, they have never worked with Zinfandel. So there’s a great exchange of knowledge.
Although this global perspective is enriching Dave and his colleagues at Renwood in Plymouth, California, the winery remains dedicated to its signature variety. “Our focus has always been on Zinfandel,” Dave emphasizes. “We’re not going to abandon Barbera or Syrah, two of our other popular wines, but we’ll make them in smaller quantities.” While Renwood now has the resources to expand its reach into all of California’s great Zinfandel growing regions, the winery’s heart will always belong to Amador County.
“We want to do all we can to increase awareness of the superb quality of Amador wines,” Dave affirms. “We think it’s the greatest Zinfandel region on earth.”
WHAT TO BUY
’10 Premier Old Vine Zinfandel – $19.99
Exotic spices, dried fruits, notes of lavender, roasted coffee
’09 Barbera – $24.99
Toffee, roasted hazelnut, new oak, dried cranberries
’10 Musicians Zinfandel – $39.99
Dark fruits, spice, black peppercorn
CONTACT
209-245-6979; 800-348-8466
info@renwood.com
renwood.com
TASTING
Tasting Room Open Daily 10:30–5
12225 Steiner Rd.
Plymouth, CA 95669
SPECIAL NOTES
Private tastings by appointment, picnic grounds, deli case, wine club benefits and discounts, sustainable winemaking practices
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
