Winemaking Update
ANDY ROBINSON | WINEMAKER
Spring is unfolding here at Seghesio, and with it comes the excitement of our April club release! This month, we’re thrilled to share three exceptional wines that reflect our commitment to quality, tradition, and thoughtful farming practices.
From the rugged heights of Rockpile to the storied soils of Dry Creek Valley, these wines tell the story of where they come from, crafted with care and shaped by the land itself. Each bottle brings you closer to the places we call home.
First up is the 2023 Rockpile Zinfandel, a bold and powerful wine with plush black cherry, earthy undertones, and a distinct mineral thread. Its young, prominent tannins hint at its age-worthy potential, but if you’re eager to open it now, give it some time to breathe and fully unfold. The Rockpile vineyard, with its challenging conditions of minimal topsoil, high winds, and warm nights, keeps us on our toes, especially when it comes to timing the harvest and managing tannins. We’ve found that using fresh lees for fining helps polish those tannins, resulting in a wine that’s dark, lush, and layered. It’s perfect for those who appreciate a bold, structured Zinfandel.
Then we have the 2023 Old Vine Zinfandel, a classic that stays true to our heritage. This vintage is a blend of 83% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 5% Carignane, and 4% Alicante Bouschet and bursts with briar patch aromas of red raspberry, blackberry, and black cherry, balanced with a hint of baking spice. Juicy acidity and a lush midpalate give way to mature, age-worthy tannins, making it both approachable now and worth holding on to. Aged for 14 months in a thoughtful blend of new French and American oak, this wine honors the legacy of our historic vines and the stories they hold.
Finally, there’s the 2023 Cortina Zinfandel, a wine that celebrates the playful spirit of Dry Creek Valley. Made entirely from Zinfandel, this wine owes its vibrant, fresh character to the unique gravelly loam soils of the region. Our commitment to dry farming and careful vineyard management ensures that the grapes develop concentrated flavors. After harvest, we took a bit of a leap by aging this wine in concrete tulips, a decision that ultimately preserved its bright fruitiness in a way that surprised and delighted us. The result is a wine that embraces both tradition and innovation, capturing the energy of the vineyard in every sip.
We hope these wines bring you a little taste of our roots, crafted with love, shaped by the land, and made to share with friends and family. As we look ahead to the summer months, we’d love to be part of your travel plans. Whether you’re visiting us in Healdsburg or exploring our Crimson Collective properties, we look forward to raising a glass together soon!
Salute!
Andy Robinson
