Ridge Vineyards was founded in 1959 when three Stanford Research Institute engineers bought an abandoned winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyards had been planted in the late 19th century by a San Francisco physician who produced his first vintage in the original winery, called Monte Bello, in 1892. The first Ridge vintage was in 1962. John Olney is Head…
Hartford Family Winery was founded in 1994 as a result of Don and Jennifer Hartford’s appreciation for the wines, the people, and the unique vineyards near their Russian River Valley home. Located in the Sonoma County town of Forestville, the winery is about 15 miles from the cool Pacific Coast. Jeff Stewart is the Hartford Family Winemaker. Purple in color.…
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 expanding rapidly, but I think the best of the best are the ancient vineyard Zinfandels, Morgan is clearly passionate about. This vineyard is indeed ‘under the mountain,’…
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. Dallas Wine Chick writes California Regionality of the Zinfandel Grape. Paul Draper writes “Ingredient Labeling: A Look Back” by Paul Draper. Spawinefood writes Zinfandel, Primitivo, Crljenak Kastelanski, and…
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…
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. Randy Caparoso writes Oak Barrels, Part 3 – French and American Silviculture and Oak Seasoning. Stephen McConnell writes Stampede This. Alder Yarrow reviews the 2019 Marietta Cellars “Roman”…
I was approached by a fellow Zinfandel lover (@wineatsea on Twitter and Instagram) about doing a virtual tasting of wines from the acclaimed Bedrock Vineyard. Bedrock Vineyard, formerly known as Madrone Ranch, was originally planted in 1854 by General William “Tecumseh” Sherman and General “Fightin” Joe Hooker. It later passed into the hands of George Washington Whitman and then to…
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. Dan Berger writes Varietal Confusion. Esther Mobley writes This Napa Rose Proves That Dark-Pink Wine doesn’t have to be Sweet and Gross. Dan Dawson writes An Independence Day…
Zinfandel of the Month is a regular feature on Zinfandel Chronicles. Keep in mind that although the Zinfandel of the Month might be an older bottle, the current vintage will be one you can find at retail or via the mailing list. The July Zinfandel of the Month is the 2019 Seghesio Zinfandel Sonoma County. I chose this bottle for…
Homefire Cellars was founded by Mike Sterling in 2002. Located in Healdsburg, Homefire is dedicated to making delicious Zinfandel. Mike also happens to be the winemaker. The lineup at Homefire includes several single vineyards Zinfandels. 2018 Homefire Cellars Berry Farm Dry Creek Valley – Crimson in color. 15.5% ABV. 81% Zinfandel, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petite Sirah. Fantastic nose…