2016 Event Featuring 75 Lots Representing 16 Sonoma County Appellations
Santa Rosa, CA (March 15, 2016) —The Sonoma County Vintners invites members of the licensed wine trade to preview the never before, never again limited production wines that will be available for purchase at the 2nd annual Sonoma County Barrel Auction on April 29th. Seventy-five unique wine lots representing 16 Sonoma County appellations and cultivated in Sonoma County’s most highly acclaimed vineyards will be sold to the highest bidder at the one-day-only auction. Descriptions of a selection of wine lots can be viewed at www.sonomawine.com/barrelauction/wines. A full list of all lots will be available on the site in the next week. Qualified members of the licensed wine trade who would like to place absentee bids or register for the event should visit www.sonomawine.com/barrelauction/. Space is limited.
These specially chosen wines were evaluated in blind tastings held in February and March by seven panelists comprised of Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine. Sonoma County Barrel Auction lots range in size from five to 20 cases and include unique single vineyard bottlings, specific clonal selections, blends, wines aged using special barrel regimes and joint lot wines made by collaborating wineries. Examples include:
Bacigalupi Vineyards, Dutcher Crossing Winery, Flanagan Wines, Gary Farrell Winery &
“Judgment of Paris 40th Anniversary Barrel” 2015 Chardonnay, Bacigalupi Vineyards, Russian River Valley (20 cases)—The 1976 Judgment of Paris sent shockwaves through the wine community, and forever cemented California’s place among the world’s most revered wine regions. The original Wente Clone on St. George Rootstock that contributed to California’s unexpected victory still thrives today at Bacigalupi Vineyards. Bacigalupi Vineyards, Dutcher Crossing, Flanagan Wines, Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery MacRostie Winery & Vineyards and these legendary vines have combined forces to create this historic 40th Anniversary Barrel of Chardonnay. This extraordinary wine captures the spirit of that winning wine, with layers of voluptuous texture, floral notes and a mineral finish.
“Block 4 Old Vines”, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Laurel Glen Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain (5 cases)—When Patrick Campbell bought Laurel Glen Vineyard in 1977, the vineyard was three acres of 10 year-old Cabernet Sauvignon. Patrick took cuttings from the existing Cabernet vines to develop an additional 12 acres of vineyard. UC Davis subsequently identified the clone as unique. The Laurel Glen clone of Cabernet Sauvignon remains the only clone Laurel Glen uses. Block 4 was developed in 1978 and has never been replanted. They typically harvest one ton per acre from vines that are now 37 years old and planted on St. George rootstock. Winemaker Randall Watkins chose a selection from Block 4 that best expresses the elegance and age-ability of the historic Laurel Glen Vineyard.
“Bondi Ranch: One Barrel, One Block, One Clone, One Time,” 2015 Pinot Noir, Bondi Home Ranch, Green Valley (5 cases)—TheBondi legacy began in the Green Valley of Russian River Valley more than 130 years ago when Italian immigrant Paulo Bondi arrived with a dream of farming these cool hillsides. In 1997, the Bondi Home Ranch vineyard was planted by Paulo’s grandson, Lee Martinelli Sr., securing the Martinelli family’s place in the history of Sonoma County viticulture. This Bondi Pinot Noir is from the Martinelli family’s favorite barrel, from their favorite block and from their favorite clone on this cherished family land. This block is the soul of Bondi Home Ranch Pinot Noir every year—it is typically blended with other blocks and other clones from this vineyard to create a final single-vineyard wine. Exclusively for the Barrel Auction, the Martinelli Family chose to do a single-barrel offering of just this block, just this one clone, just one time only.
“Asymmetry,” 2015 Merlot Blend, Alexander Valley, Knights Valley & Northern Sonoma (10 cases)—Rodney Strong was one of the pioneers of Sonoma County’s modern wine industry, a visionary who understood the potential that Sonoma County’s soil and climate held for producing world-class wines. Now under the care of Proprietor Tom Klein and Winemaker Rick Sayre, Rodney Strong Vineyards carries this legacy forward by continuing to craft wines that achieve critical acclaim and a loyal consumer following. As a testament to its well-known Left Bank Bordeaux-style blend, Symmetry, the winemakers have created a Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend, called Asymmetry. This one-of-a-kind Merlot based blend from five different prized vineyards in Sonoma County delivers layers of complex red and black fruits, with a refined tannin structure that is extremely food friendly.
Seghesio Family Vineyards & A. Rafanelli Winery
“Pioneer Producers from Dry Creek Valley,” 2015Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley (5 cases)—This story begins in the early 1900s when Italian families began immigrating to Dry Creek Valley to grow grapes and make wine. Families worked together to build and farm the vineyards of Dry Creek Valley, using methods most suitable for growing Zinfandel. Two such families, the Seghesios and the Rafanellis, are still thriving after five and four generations of winemaking, respectively, producing some of the best quality wine in one of the most highly recognized AVAs for Zinfandel: Dry Creek Valley. To celebrate their shared history, Seghesio Family Vineyards and A. Rafanelli have partnered to create a unique Dry Creek Zinfandel that integrates wine from both properties to deliver a powerful and delicious representation of the appellation.
About Sonoma County Vintners
Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness and building understanding of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions, noted for its heritage of artisan winemaking, distinct growing regions, and extraordinary quality. Founded in 1944, SCV represents more than 250 wineries and affiliates of all sizes throughout the county. Learn more about SCV at www.SonomaWine.com.
