ZINFANDEL: This is a serious wine from very old vines, showing a polished balance with rich and flavorful layers of dark fruit. Seductive aromas of chocolate, black plum and raspberry-filled candy lead to pure flavors of blackberry, plum and currant that flow in waves on the palate. Mineral notes of pencil lead, stone and wild spices add to the whole. The wine finishes long and savory.

Age for 7 to 12 years - Pairs nicely with well-ripened hard cheeses such as French Cantal.

Alcohol: 15.4% - Case production: 616

Barrels: 20% new French oak; 80% 2-4 year old

Final Blend: 12% Estate Petite Sirah added

CHARBONO - One of the finest examples of Charbono on the market - dedicated fans of this rare varietal will be very pleased. Aromatic layers include wild blueberry syrup, warm short bread and ultra ripe peach, along with sweet hints of wisteria and pipe tobacco. Incredibly black in the glass, this wine has a super round mouth feel framed by firm tannins. Subtle flavors of black cherry juice and candied apple freshen the palate while toasty oak layers lengthen the overall silkiness. A meaty, chewy finish will invite you back for more...

Drink now, and if you can, lay down a few bottles for your grandchildren. This wine should be impressive for 15 years or more. Pairs deliciously with soft, fragrant cheeses such as Italian Dolce Gorganzola.

Alcohol: 14.5% - Case production: 226

Barrels: 10% new French oak; 90% 2-4 year old

Final Blend: 1% Estate Petite Sirah added

        Location             Dunaweal Lane, 1 mile south of Calistoga, Napa Valley

      Acreage              26

      Soil Type            Bale Series, Gravelly Loam

      Vine Style           Head trained (Gobelet)

      Rootstock           St. George, 1103 Paulsen, 110 Rupestrus

      Irrigation            None - dry farmed

      Philospohy         Organic

      Yeast Addition     None (native wild yeast present on grape skins)

      Must Treatment   De-stemmed (no crusher rollers) into open-top fermenters;

                                 cold soaked 4 days, manual punch downs twice daily;

                                 pressed to barrel                

      Barrel Aging        20 months, racked three times

      Final Blend          Zinfandel: 12% Estate Petite Sirah added

                                 Charbono: 1% Estate Petite Sirah added

      Bottling Date       May 3, 2009

      Production          Zinfandel: 616 cases - Charbono: 226 cases

OUR  WINEMAKING  PHILOSOPHY

California extraction - European elegance

All my life I have enjoyed wine with meals. Even as a child, my Italian grandmother would pour a little vino in my water glass at the lunch table. That early introduction, and later education as a winemaker (and wine drinker), has guided my hands to craft wines that  pair well with food.

In the Napa Valley we enjoy a climate that can give our wines incredible concentration (and if we are not careful, a one dimensional simplicity). My goal as winemaker is to bring a little restraint to the ‘table’ - to give you wines that not only taste good now but will complement your meals and age gracefully.

That being said, our wines show the best of two worlds; the extraction of intense flavors we all love with a layered  complexity that speaks of old world influence.

Enjoy!