Just in time for National Zinfandel Day, celebrated on November 17th, let me introduce Seghesio Family Vineyards. One of the largest Zinfandel producers in the United States, Seghesio produces the highest quality Zinfandel from 320 acres of estate vineyards in the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valleys.
The San Francisco Chronicle said Seghesio ranks as “One of Sonoma County’s landmark houses for Zinfandel of freshness, layering, and perseverance…reflecting decades of experience and respect for the grape.” And its delightful tasting room near downtown Healdsburg provides an inviting venue to try its wine.
A view from the front of Seghesio tasting room – photo courtesy of Seghesio Family Vineyards
The Zinfandel Grape Variety
It’s often said that Zinfandel is the only true American grape. That’s because no place in Europe produces wine by that name; however, it is of European origin. DNA analysis reveals that Zinfandel comes from the Croatian grape originally called Tribidag, now known in Croatia as Crljenak Kaštelanski. In Italy, Zinfandel is known as Primitivo. Shipments of Zinfandel grapevines arrived in the United States between 1820 and 1829. Eventually, Zinfandel made its way to California during the Gold Rush of the 1850s.
Zinfandel, a variety of black-skinned wine grapes, remains the second most widely planted red wine grape in California. It produces robust, big-fruited, jammy wines that are dark, almost purple in color. According to Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible, Zinfandel grows best in warmer wine regions such as the Dry Creek area of Sonoma County, the Gold Rush counties of Amador and El Dorado, and inland AVAs within Mendocino County.
Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel
Some of the most prized vineyards in California are planted with Zinfandel. Italian immigrant Edoardo Seghesio and his new wife, Angela originally planted Seghesio’s estate Zinfandel vines in 1895 in Sonoma County. Since then, five generations of the family have tended to the vines.
Ned Neumiller, Viticultural Director, and 5th Generation, Seghesio family member, says, “At Seghesio Family Vineyards, we’ve been kicking the same dirt and tending the same vines for 125 years.”
Hillside planted with vineyards on Seghesio Estate – photo courtesy of Seghesio Family Vineyards
Prior to Prohibition, enacted in 1920, more than 2,000 wineries operated in the United States. Seghesio is one of only 100 that survived by continuing to grow and sell grapes, grape juice, and grape concentrate. After Prohibition, the winery reopened for wine production, and the Seghesio family flourished in the bulk wine business. At one point, Seghesio produced most of the red wine made in Sonoma County. At their height, the Seghesio family produced up to 1.7 million gallons of wine annually.
However, in 1993, the Seghesio Family reduced production to 30,000 cases. They shifted to producing quality wines made exclusively from the vineyards that the family farmed and owned. This new focus, from quantity to quality, elevated Seghesio Family Vineyards to one of the world’s finest producers of Zinfandel.
The term “old vine” (an unregulated term) generally means it is over 40 years of age. However, at Seghesio, its Old Vine Zinfandel wine is produced from vineyards with an average age of close to 75 years. While the old vines have low productivity, the quality of the grapes results in rich wines with incredible concentration and depth.
Old Vine Zinfandel grapes – photo courtesy of Seghesio Family Vineyards
Andy Robinson, the Seghesio winemaker since 2003, says, “Our intention is to make wines that celebrate the work done in the vineyard, and we participate in every aspect of a wine’s life. We produce elegant and balanced Zinfandels with a character that offers the fullest expression of each vineyard or region.”
Pairing Seghesio Zinfandel with Holiday Food
With lively tannins and a powerful, lingering finish, the Seghesio 2020 Sonoma Zinfandel pairs well with holiday meal specialties. Try it with rich and meaty short ribs, braised pork belly, or gnocchi gorgonzola. It also pairs well with fresh gingerbread. Or try the Seghesio 2019 Cortina Zinfandel with mushroom sugo.
Pairing Seghesio Family Vineyard Zinfandel with food – photo courtesy of Seghesio Family Vineyards
Seghesio Family Vineyard Tasting Room
The Seghesio tasting room is located in a neighborhood that borders Healdsburg’s downtown area. This unpretentious tasting room and winery look slightly out of place in its residential surroundings. But my guess is the winery might have been there first while the rest of the neighborhood grew up around it. Called “The Grove,” thanks to the wide-open spaces and plentiful trees, the tasting room features a bocce ball court and picnic spaces. Indoor tasting is available too. Open daily from 10:30 am – 5:00 pm; reservations available or walk-in based on availability.
Guests enjoy a charcuterie board and tasting at Seghesio – photo courtesy of Seghesio Family Vineyards
The Classic Tasting includes a 60-minute seated tasting for $30 per person. The Tour and Tasting includes a tour of the crush pad, fermentation hall, barrel cellar, and a seated tasting of Seghesio Zinfandels and Italian heritage wines. The cost is $60 per person, and it lasts 90 minutes. The winery also offers the option to reserve the bocce ball court and two picnic tables for up to 12 guests. $150 reservation fee on weekends and $75 on weekdays—a minimum ½ bottle purchase per guest is required. Or bring a picnic and grab a seat, first come, first served, and purchase a minimum ½ bottle per guest.
If You Go
So, if you find yourself in Sonoma County (one of my favorite wine regions), stop by Seghesio Family Vineyards. Taste their wine and pick up a few bottles of their delightful Zinfandel. And be sure to tuck a bottle away for National Zinfandel Day next year!
Seghesio Family Vineyard, 700 Grove Street, Healdsburg, (707) 433-3579
Comments are closed.