Centennial Club Newsletter

Winemaking Update

ANDY ROBINSON | WINEMAKER

Throughout my wine journey, I’ve often been fascinated by the nuanced cycles of the growing season. My roots lie in the Northeast, where each season pronounced its arrival and departure with a flair, fueling an anticipation for what the next would bring. Northern California, particularly our Sonoma estate, isn’t much different. Its subtleties whisper the changes, and this year has sung a similar tune.

There’s something enchanting about summers that aren’t scorched in persistent heat – think of the family gatherings on evenings when Zinfandels feel just right with the BBQ. This summer’s gentle embrace, with its cool summer nights, hinted at a moderate August start. Our harvest timelines have gracefully slid back to the comforting cadence of mid-September. Over the years, I’ve come to cherish the rain, but always silently hope it lingers just until after the harvest. This ensures our grapes mature impeccably, devoid of the challenges posed by botrytis, mildew, and mold.

Within our winery walls, these cycles manifest distinctly. Spring beckons racking and blending, while summer heralds bottling, paving the way for the incoming vintage. Gone are the days of linear planning. Today, we weave cushions into our strategy, anticipating packaging delays, transit hiccups, and potential labor shortfalls. Yet, with our meticulous planning, foresight, and a remarkably efficient crew, we stand on schedule this season.

But it’s the expansive annual cycles that truly captivate me. Amidst managing the present, our eyes constantly gaze into the horizon, contemplating which vineyards to sow next, their orientation, and the varieties they’ll embrace. We ruminate over climate shifts, evolving consumer preferences, labor dynamics, and our commitment to crafting wines that echo the distinct character of our vineyards. As we gear up for the 2023 harvest, we’re reminded that these grapes are the legacy of the dedication, experience, and vision of the five preceding generations of our Seghesio family.

Viticulture Update

NED NEUMILLER | VITICULTURE DIRECTOR

Our 2023 growing season has been a real page turner. In January, we were met with a significant amount of rain. Spring came around bringing with it even more precipitation and cool temperatures filling our reservoirs to the brim with water to last us for the next two growing seasons. As we stand at the heart of summer, the yields are aligning with our usual expectations, but what truly excites me is the exceptional quality of the fruit we’re seeing on the vine. Given nature’s course, we anticipate the commencement of the harvest slightly later than usual, potentially around the third week of September.

Our team is hard at work gearing up for the 2023 harvest season. Harvest isn’t merely an activity; it’s a celebration. It encapsulates community, nourishment, and the gratifying culmination of months of dedication. As you uncork our wines, may they amplify the flavors of your feast, ignite engaging dialogues, and whisk you away — even if momentarily — to the picturesque terrains of our beautiful Sonoma Valley.

Salute!

Estate Update: Introducing our Super Tuscan Omaggio

We are excited for this month’s lineup of new releases for September: 2021 Todd Brothers Zinfandel, 2021 Venom, and 2021 Mariah Zinfandel. Not only are we releasing these exceptional wines but members have access to handpicked selections from our winemaker to add to their club releases. One of the standout wines available to members this month is our limited production Omaggio, Omaggio is our take on a Super Tuscan wine, and represents the work done in the vineyard by two generations of the Seghesio Family. What’s a Super Tuscan? Super Tuscans were coined in the 1970s to categorize a new breed of Italian wines, predominantly from Tuscany. This shift materialized as producers began embracing avant-garde blending techniques that diverged from the rigorous standard of the traditional system. Super Tuscans typically blend varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah with Sangiovese. Our 2021 vintage of Omaggio produced 400 cases and this wine sells out quickly each vintage. You may add a single bottle or a three/six package to your upcoming club release to save on shipping.

“Omaggio,” Italian for homage, is a tribute to our founders, Edoardo and Angela Seghesio, who planted their family’s first vineyard in America in 1895. First produced for Seghesio Family Vineyards’ Centennial in 1995, Omaggio blends Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, varieties planted by the family’s first and second generations. The wine pays homage to the family’s tradition, passion and dedication to over a century of farming and winemaking. We are thrilled to announce that Robb Report featured the 2021 vintage in their recent article titled ‘9 Outstanding Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons to Buy Right Now’. Our 2021 vintage is comprised of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Sangiovese with notes of deep, dark cassis, dark chocolate, and forest floor accompanied by flavors of wild cherry, violet, and vanilla. On the palate, the Cabernet brings breadth and depth, while the Sangiovese provides length and palate cleansing acidity on the finish. We hope you will be able to secure a bottle of this limited release!