2021 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel

In 1886, Edoardo Seghesio left his family’s vineyards in Piedmont, Italy, to start a new life in America. He settled in Northern Sonoma County, where he could follow his passion for winemaking. He married his boss’s niece, Angela, and together they purchased a home with 56 acres of land with the intent of planting vineyards and making their own wines. The most notable varietal planted at the original Home Ranch were the blocks of Zinfandel that the family continues to farm today.

Over the past 125 years the Seghesio family is proud to have made the name synonymous with the highest-quality Zinfandels. Today they remain steadfast in their commitment to the Zinfandel vines that they believe “make fascinating wines that are bold, complex, age worthy and have something to say.”

With a passionate belief that wine is made in the vineyard, Seghesio Family Vineyards pairs more than a century of experience in the vineyard with labor-intensive farming techniques that reduce yields, increase quality and ensure wines of outstanding purity and balance. They are part of International Wineries for Climate Action and view sustainability as a living work — as a continuously evolving process of protecting natural resources for future generations.

The 2021 Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel is a blend of 83% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, 3% Alicante and 4% Mixed Reds. The grapes came from a variety of vineyards in the Sonoma Valley, the Russian River Valley, the Alexander Valley and Dry Creek, and 55% of the vineyards are estate vineyards. Over 150 small fermentations were used to allow the full expression of the characteristics of each vineyard block. After fermentation on the skins for 7 to 12 days, the wine was transferred to barrels to complete malolactic fermentation. The wine was then aged for 10 months in French and American oak before being blended and bottled.

Winemaker’s notes describe the wine: “Intense aromatics of currant and plum are complemented by savory notes of black olive, anise and allspice. A bright entry of briary black raspberry gives way to a bold palate of supple, lively tannins, and a powerful, lingering finish.”

Wine Spectator’s Tim Fish awarded this wine 92 points stating, “Plush in texture, this Zin is generous with blackberry and cherry flavors that draw in accents of briar patch, black pepper and toasty cinnamon as it finishes with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2031.”

This is a wine that is very easy to pair with all sorts of cuisines — barbecue ribs, pork belly, gnocchi, turkey, and Asian dishes to name a few.