Single Vineyard - Tzabaco Rancho Vineyards | Dry Creek Valley

92 POINTS - WINE ENTHUSIAST - "An attractive toasty, doughy aroma and fresh, crisp citrus and Pippin apple flavors make this medium-bodied wine thirst-quenching and appetizing. It is dry, clean and bracing."

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT TOP 100 WINES OF THE YEAR (12/16/22) - “…this sauvignon blanc cannot be ignored; it’s near-perfect, with floral aromas, juicy citrus, honeydew melon and white peach flavors wrapped in mouthwatering acidity. Aged in a mix of neutral barrels and stainless steel, it showcases the grapes grown in Janice and Brian Schmidts’ vineyard (which their family has farmed since 1856), adding ideal weight while preserving vibrancy.”

Single Vineyard - Tzabaco Rancho Vineyards | Dry Creek Valley

92 POINTS - WINE ENTHUSIAST

“This is a nicely textured white, given time in both neutral French oak and stainless steel. Tangerine, grapefruit and dried herb highlight an earthy, lengthy and acid-driven core of great flavor and balanced richness.”

Single Vineyard - Tzabaco Rancho Vineyards | Dry Creek Valley

96 POINTS & PLATINUM MEDAL - 2020 Critic’s Challenge International Wine Competition: Tasting Notes: “Flamboyant, true to the category. A compete wine, speaking to complexity, fulfillment and endurance.” – Mike Dunne

GOLD MEDAL- 2021 Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition

94 POINTS & DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL - 2021 American Fine Wine Invitational Competition

Single Vineyard - Tzabaco Rancho Vineyards | Dry Creek Valley

DOUBLE GOLD & 95 POINTS - 2020 American Fine Wine Invitational Competition

BEST OF CLASS & 95 POINTS - 2019 Los Angeles International Wine Competition

BEST OF CLASS & GOLD MEDAL & 93 PTS - International Wine and Spirits Competition - Judge’s Comments: “Powerful, mineral, and floral, with a juicy core and the kind of grip that just begs for grilled meat.” – Joe Roberts

Single Vineyard - Tzabaco Rancho Vineyards | Dry Creek Valley

93 POINTS & GOLD MEDAL– 2019 Los Angeles International Wine Competition

DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL– 2018 San Francisco International Wine Competition

Single Vineyard - Tzabaco Rancho Vineyards | Dry Creek Valley

SWEEPSTAKES RED, BEST OF CLASS & DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL – 2013 Sonoma County Harvest Fair:

Judge Fred Tasker’s Comments: “Best red wine…full and hearty, with powerful cassis and bittersweet chocolate flavors.”

94 POINTS & GOLD MEDAL – 2013 North Coast Wine Challenge

Single Vineyard - Tzabaco Rancho Vineyards | Dry Creek Valley

91 POINTS, BEST OF CLASS & GOLD MEDAL– 2018 Critic’s Challenge International Wine Competition

BEST OF CLASS & DOUBLE GOLD – 2018 International Women’s Wine Competition

FROM KEN’S WINE GUIDE: “This midnight purple colored Petit Verdot from Estate 1856 is very good. It opens with a fragrant black raspberry bouquet with a hint of plum and root beer. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, concentrated and smooth. The flavor profile is a stewed plum with notes of boysenberry. We also detected hints of dark chocolate and cola. The finish is chewy and its moderate dusty tannins linger nicely. The Panel suggested drinking this wine on its own. Enjoy – Ken; March 10, 2019 Rating: Very Good+ (90 points)

Single Vineyard - Tzabaco Rancho Vineyards | Dry Creek Valley

BEST OF $20-$40 NORTH COAST CABERNET SAUVIGNON– 2015 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge

GOLD MEDAL– 2014 Sonoma County Harvest Fair Wine Competition

GOLD MEDAL– 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine

Single Vineyard - Tzabaco Rancho Vineyards | Dry Creek Valley

Perched above the Dry Creek Valley floor, on the eastern bench sits Tzabaco Rancho Vineyard. Tinted red silty soils and 50+ year old Zinfandel vines define this ranch for us. In the Tzabaco family since 1856, the vineyard is predominately dry farmed, and the old vines curl and bend up toward the sky, the shape very much resembling “le gobelet” (a goblet). The vines are expertly cared for by the 5th and 6th generations of the Tzabaco family, and the resulting fruit is balanced, uniform, and absolutely delicious.

The 2021 carries brooding black peppercorn, dark current, and black licorice on the nose. Palate weight is generous but not overbearing, although im not sure I would challenge this wine to a fight on the playground. The tannins are present, but soft and granular, which gives the mid-palate darker fruit a pleasant compliment. The finish is rather bold, and evokes notes of black berry, eastern spice, and ripe strawberry. Recommend decanting at least an hour prior to enjoying.

Rock and Clay Wines - Single Vineyard - Tzabaco Rancho Vineyards | Dry Creek Valley

DOUBLE GOLD MEDAL 96 POINTS - 2021 Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition - Deep ruby-purple in color, aromas of black cherries, dark spices, graphite and dried herbs. Lush, full mouthfeel with fine grained tannins and a ripe, lingering finish.