Winemaking Update
ANDY ROBINSON | WINEMAKER
2025 is a year of evolution, where we continue to grow while staying true to our roots and our commitment to crafting wines of exceptional quality. In winemaking, there’s no such thing as downtime. From harvest to bottling, every season demands commitment, care, and the hard-earned wisdom that has defined us for generations. This month, we were honored to be named Wine Spectator’s Wine Value of the Year, for our 93-point rated 2022 Sonoma Zinfandel that celebrates the dedication and passion behind every bottle. As we look to the future, we’re proud to introduce our first releases from the 2023 vintage—wines that capture the heart and soul of Sonoma County.
In 2023, Mother Nature provided us with abundant rainfall early in the season, saturating the soils and replenishing our reservoirs, ensuring we have a vital resource for the growing seasons to come. This abundance of water set the stage for a thriving vineyard. As the sunshine returned, we embraced regenerative practices to care for the land and nurture its future potential.
By adjusting the timing of key vineyard activities, encouraging diverse root systems, and introducing vineyard crimpers—specialized tools used to gently press and flatten cover crops into the soil—we enhanced the organic matter in the vineyard while protecting the earth from erosion. These efforts were complemented by cover crops that flourished, yielding 8–10,000 pounds per acre of nutrient-rich greenery. Innovations like mechanical canopy lifting—expanded to nearly 200 acres—helped us manage the vines with precision, ensuring optimal growth and fruit development.
The summer was kind to our vineyards, offering a beautiful balance of mild afternoons, cool nights, and no extreme heat. These conditions allowed the fruit to ripen perfectly. The result? A smooth harvest with grapes of exceptional quality. As the season wound down, we focused on post-harvest care, experimenting with cover crops, refining pruning techniques, and preparing the vineyard for another year of excellence.
This February, we’re honored to share the first three releases of this extraordinary year with you. Each bottle of our 2023 vintage represents a different facet of the care and passion that goes into everything we do.
Our Keyhole Ranch Zinfandel is a true reflection of the Russian River Valley’s cool-climate charm. This Zinfandel offers an interplay of vibrant blackberry and briary flavors with layers of spice. Harvested by hand from our Keyhole Ranch estate, the grapes benefited from tempered coastal breezes and frequent morning fog, creating a wine of extraordinary complexity.
After meticulous sorting and a gentle crush, fermentation took place in small, open-top stainless-steel tanks, using pneumatic punch-down devices to balance extraction and aeration. Aged for 15 months, with a touch of new French and American oak, this wine is juicy and supple with aromas of vanilla, plum, and ginger spice. Perfectly paired with hearty dishes like grilled leg of lamb or cassoulet, it’s a shining example of Zinfandel’s versatility and elegance.
The next release in our lineup is our 2023 Barbera. This varietal thrives at our Home Ranch Vineyard in Alexander Valley. Our 2023 Barbera bursts with lively acidity and bright fruit, making it a quintessential food-friendly wine. Harvested at the peak of ripeness, the grapes were fermented in open-top tanks with our proprietary Home Ranch yeast to ensure a steady fermentation process. Aged for 10 months primarily in neutral oak, this wine greets you with wild berries, dried herbs, and notes of licorice. On the palate, it’s juicy and multi-dimensional, with flavors of blueberry creamsicle and a touch of sage. Pair it with pizza, herbed poultry, or roasted root vegetables for a meal that pleases everyone.
Lastly, we have the 2023 Todd Brothers Zinfandel. From vines that have thrived in Geyserville’s red volcanic soils since 1958, the Todd Brothers Ranch Zinfandel delivers intensity, depth, and unmistakable character. These head-trained vines, cared for by third- and fourth-generation Todd family members, yield small, concentrated berries that result in a wine of opulent structure and refined intensity.
This Zinfandel opens with enticing aromas of black cherry, red plum, and star thistle. The mid-palate brims with notes of dried black fig, sage, and a hint of homemade vanilla cookies. Aged for 15 months, this richly layered, and age-worthy wine is a natural companion to braised red meats or roasted wild mushrooms.
These wines are more than just the product of a season; they’re an expression of the care and intention that shapes everything we do. Whether you’re sharing a bottle over dinner or tucking it away for a special occasion, we hope they bring a sense of joy and togetherness to your year. Here’s to 2025 and all the moments worth celebrating.
Salute!
Andy Robinson
