2009 Zinfandel, Break Away 750ml

This is the 5th vintage of this wine which has received recognition for its elegance, good balance, soft tannins a sustained finish and rich in varietal character. This wine is named Break Away as a symbol of these attributes and to distinguish it from other Zinfandels that are robust, jammy and heavy in alcohol and oak flavor. This wine is bottled using screw cap as the closure. The decision to use this closure was based on quality issues. By using the screw cap over the cork, cork taint is avoided and the sporadic oxidation of the wine that emanates from the cork that at times leaks oxygen into the bottle resulting in variation in the quality of the wine from one bottle to the next. Made in the “Submerged Cap” Fermentation Tank and aged in predominantly French oak for 9 months.

This fully extracted wine has strong varietal aromas of blackberries with hints of spice which carries into the mid-palate adding black cherry and plum flavors. The long finish reveals more spice with hints of chocolate and orange peel.

2012 Barbera, Estate Grown 750ml

Barbera is the most widely planted grape in the Piemonte region of Italy.  Alba and Asti are the two growing regions in Piemonte in which the varieties and yields are regulated by the government.  Barbera grows very well in the Sierra Foothills yielding grapes that are for the most part fruitier and more aromatic than their Italian counterparts.  This wine was made from our first vintage of Barbera grown in our Estate vineyards

This wine was made in the "Submerged Cap" Fermentation Tank and aged in predominantly French oak barrels for 20 months.   The dark fruit aromas carry to the palate and intensifies all the way to the long finish.  This well-balanced wine has concentrated fruit and a firm acid structure. Dark berry aromas extend to the palate adding dark cherry and pomegranate flavors and a long finish with firm tannins.

2012 Primitivo, Estate Grown 750ml

Primitivo, which is also known as Zingarello is the major growing grape of Apulia in Southern Italy.  Zingarello makes a heavy strong wine with the alcoholic potency of port.  DNA testing has confirmed that Primitivo is genetically related to California’s Zinfandel.  Based on DNA profiling, it has been theorized that both Primitivo and Zinfandel are clones of the Croatian variety Crljenak.

This Estate grown Primitivo comes from a two acre vineyard block that called Block #4.

This wine was made in the “Submerged Cap” Fermentation Tank.  It was aged in predominantly French oak barrels for about 18 months.  This wine which has dark fruit aromas will surprise you with its strong impact on the palate revealing blackberry and black cherry flavors which carry all the way to the long finish.  This wine has good structure, complexity and a well balanced acidity.

• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNER, 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

2010 Petite Sirah, Special Barrel Selection 750ml

Most of the 2010 vintage of Petite Sirah wine has been used for making blends.  The generous amounts of tannins and intense color make this variety ideal for use as a blending wine.   About 15 barrels of this wine were saved and aged for 2 years in special barrels which resulted in an exceptionally elegant Petite Sirah.

The grapes were harvested at the peak of ripeness to maximize the fruit character and minimize the harsh tannins and the wine was fermented in the Dual Compartment Submerged Cap Fermentation Tanks that resulted in a highly concentrated wine.  During final blending Syrah was added, which contributes to the savory and earthy notes and Primitivo which intensifies the fruity character of the wine.

Inky dark purple in color the wine has the aromas of blueberries and strawberry jam with hints of smoke and baking spices.  This wine has very concentrated flavors that carry to the finish adding cocoa and coffee flavors.  This is an elegant wine with lots of tannins giving a firm structure with a perfect balance. 

2009 Interlude, Red Blend 750ml

"Interlude” is composed of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Primitivo. The Zinfandel and Primitivo contribute fruitiness to the blend while the Syrah and Petite Sirah add the backbone and the structure along with savory, smoky and earthy flavors. This is truly a blend of new world and old world varieties which are remarkably compatible acting together with synergy and harmony.

This blend was created purposely to be a food wine. It is an elegant wine that can enhance the flavors of any food. The name “Interlude” which is the instrumental music played between the parts of a song was appropriately chosen as a metaphor to the interaction between wine and food.

The dark berry aromas which dominate in this wine carry to the palate adding herbal and earthy notes. The sustained finish brings in more dark fruit, cocoa with hints of smoke and licorice.

• Gold Medal Winner, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2014

2007 Zinfandel, Shenandoah Valley 750ml

Zinfandel also known as Zingarello is a clone of the Croatian variety Creljnak.  Creljnak migrated to Italy and assumed the name of Primitivo while Zinfandel obtained its present identity in the United States.  Wines made from Zinfandel are typical examples of new world wines with fruit forward, high alcohol and stylistically driven by the winemaker rather than driven by terroir as in old world wines.

A part of the Zinfandel grapes used in this wine came from Frank Gunther's Vineyard and the other part from our Estate Vineyard.  Gunther's vineyard which is 43 years old is one of the best Zinfandel vineyards in this valley.  The Estate Vineyard was planted in 2002 with a Duprat clone of Zinfandel that is not common in this region.  The prominent clone of Zinfandel in the Foothills is the Deaver clone.  This wine was made in the "Submerged Cap Fermentation Tank" that is capable of fully extracting the flavor, color and mouthfeel components present in the grapes.  The wine was then aged in predominantly French oak barrels for 14 months.

This exciting Zinfandel is very varietal in character.  It has aromas of bing cherry, coffee and dark berry fruit.  On the palate you discover layers of flavors starting with fresh blackberry and ending with wild strawberry and blueberry.  The finish is long and lasting with dark fruit, dark chocolate and baking spices.  This well balanced and elegant wine is very approachable in this young age.  It can be enjoyed right away or if you are patient enough to wait 5 years it will become a gem.

2009 Sierra Legend, Red Blend 750ml

This is the fifth vintage of Sierra Legend which is a blend of Syrah, a Rhone variety, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, both Bordeaux varieties, and Primitivo originating in Croatia but lately cultivated mainly in Italy.

Inky purple in color, the 2009 Sierra Legend has intense aromas of dark berries and chocolate continuing onto the palate with a burst of flavors.  This wine which has a structured acidity with a remarkable balance hardly reveals the identity of its components.   While the fruit flavors play a dominating role, you can identify some savory, smoky and earthy notes that continue all the way to the long finish.

All the grapes used for this wine are Estate grown.

• Winner of Double Gold in the 2013 SF Chronicle Wine Competition

2006 Syrah, Sierra Foothills 750ml

This wine was made from Estate Grown grapes.  The climate, the soil and the farming methods grow Syrah grapes that have the potential of making wines with full body and intense flavors.  The fruit was harvested when it was completely ripe.  The grapes were hand sorted and gently crushed.  The fermentation was delayed for a couple of days by keeping the must at cold temperatures under 60 degrees F.  The Submerged Cap Fermentation Tank was used that keeps the berries submerged throughout the fermentation for better flavor extraction and fuller tannins.

This wine has a deep color and a classic Syrah aroma of green and black peppercorn with piney undertones.  This is a big wine that starts with subtle dark fruit flavors and finishes with lingering smoky, meaty and earthy flavors. This Syrah is like of an old world wine.  It has a deep color with dark berry aromas combined with spice and mint.   

2009 Zinfandel, American Legend 750ml

The Zinfandel grapes used in this wine come from Gunther’s Vineyard which is one of the best Zinfandel vineyards in the valley.  This wine is dedicated to the memory of Frank Gunther who passed away a few days before the 2007 harvest. 

Made in the “Submerged Cap” Fermentation Tank and aged in predominantly French oak for 14 months.  This fully extracted wine has strong varietal aromas of black cherry, blackberries with hints of coffee and chocolate which carries into the mid-palate adding black cherry and plum flavors.  The long finish reveals more chocolate, coffee and licorice. This is an elegant Zin which has more concentration and intensity than the previous vintages.

2011 Tempranillo, Estate Grown 750ml

Tempranillo is a grape variety that is widely grown in Spain, especially in the wine regions of Ribera del Duero and Rioja.  The name Tempranillo is a diminutive of "temprano" which translates from Spanish as "early" indicating that this grape ripens earlier than most other Spanish red grapes.  In the cool climate of Ribera del Duero, average July temperatures of 70 degrees F, Tempranillo produces wines that are elegant with good acid balance.  In warmer climates the skins grow thicker making the wines bolder and deeper in color.

This wine was made in the "Submerged Cap" Fermentation Tank and aged in predominantly French oak barrels for 18 months.   It has a dark ruby red color with strong aromas of dark berries, vanilla and leather which intensify on the palate.  The finish is long adding herbal and spicy notes.  While drinkable now, this full body wine will benefit from a few years of aging.

2007 Zinfandel, Southern Exposure 750ml

The "Southern Exposure" designation for the wines denotes that the wine has very special qualities.  Most of the Zinfandel grapes used for making this wine comes from the original Grandpere vineyard which was planted over 140 ago.  It is a miracle that this vineyard survived for so many years to become the oldest vineyard in California.
The components of this wine were made individually in the "Submerged Cap" fermentation tanks and aged for 15 months in predominantly French oak.  Throughout the process harsh tannins were minimized, while still providing a solid backbone for ageing potential.

The elegant nose of blackberries, plum, and dark cherries carries all the way to the palate adding layers of cocoa, spice and vanilla.  This wine has a long and smooth finish with nuances of black pepper.  A great wine to drink now which will taste even better 6 years from now.

2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown 750ml

This is the second vintage of Cabernet which has come from the newly planted 4 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards.  This wine was "cold-soaked" for a period of 3 days prior to fermentation and made in the "Submerged Cap" Fermentation Tank.  After the fermentation was completed this wine was kept on its skins for a period of 3 weeks for an extended maceration to maximize the extraction and aged in predominantly French oak barrels for 24 months.

This wine has a dark ruby red color with strong aromas of blackcurrant, blueberry and raspberry very characteristic of Cabernet Sauvignon.  These aromas extend to the palate adding nuances of vanilla and leather. The long finish has a firm grip of tannins that stays with you for a long time.

• DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL WINNER, 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition