Tag: zinfandel

For the past 40 years, Ravenswood Winery has held an enduring presence in Sonoma and the world of California Zinfandel. The winery was founded in 1976 by Joel Peterson, who has earned the moniker "the Godfather of Zinfandel" for his tenacity in championing the grape—once an overlooked underdog—into a runaway phenomenon.

For more than 25 years, Rosenblum Cellars has been a hit with Zinfandel lovers. Founded by Kent Rosenblum, it is now one of California’s top producers of Zinfandel and Rhône-style wines. Each year, the Rosenblum portfolio astounds wine enthusiasts with release upon release of more than 20 exciting types of Zinfandel. The wines are met with praise for their distinctive qualities and routinely rewarded by critics and judges with high praise, points, and medals.

Active before the creation of the Russian River Valley AVA, Gary Farrell Winery produced its first wine in 1982, guided by the careful hands of the winery’s namesake. In the 33 years that have followed, the winery has consistently produced Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, forging a legacy of collaboration between the winery and the appellation’s top growers.

Although Gary Farrell sold his winery in 2004, his brand, the hilltop facility he built in 2000, and the relationships he established with local vineyards lie in able hands.

Very few wineries in the state of California have a history that dates back to the late 1800s. This year, as Seghesio Family Vineyards celebrates its 120th anniversary, we can’t help but see the correlation between the story of this family winery and that of Sonoma County wine as a whole.

A FAMILY LEGACY

For the Seghesio family, 120 years spans five generations. The members of each generation have been dedicated to working in the family business, which was started by their ancestor, Italian immigrant and winemaker, Edoardo Seghesio and his wife Angela in 1895.

To the delight of Zinfandel lovers in northern Sonoma wine country, Rosenblum Cellars has returned and is enjoying a warm, wonderful homecoming in the charming town of Healdsburg. Known far and wide for fabulous Zinfandel, the popular winery opened a dynamic tasting room late last year just off the town’s main square. More than a tasting room, it is better described as a chic and inviting lounge where locals, visitors, and wine club members can experience great wines and settle in for awhile. Besides the front tasting room, there’s a space for events and education, an exclusive Club and Locals Lounge, plus an outdoor patio with comfortable sofas for sunny days and cozy evenings.

Cool climate winemaking may be in the blood of Mount Aukum Winery's new owner, Winemaker Michel Prod'hon. He was born in the village of Chaumont in the champagne region of France, and felt naturally drawn to Mount Aukum in the higher and cooler growing elevations of El Dorado county.

Michael McCay, owner of McCay Cellars, says he has a simple goal: to make wine with a sense of presence and character that expresses the trueness of the vineyard. Unlike many of his colleagues in Lodi who are multigenerational farmers, Michael is a relative newcomer. He has only farmed there for 35 years. He came to Lodi in the early 1980s, planted a vineyard, started making wine in 1994, and launched the McCay Cellars label in 2007.