J.Pedroncelli/ Sonoma County At It's Best/ J.Pedroncelli KNOWS Zinfandel

I have been featuring J.Pedroncelli for many years and lately they have been producing some new wines that elevate their status to world class and more!Today we will introduce you to their newest Zinfandels and their incredible Zinfandels that have been favorites for years. We will check out their website and winemaker notes on three wines from this great Sonoma County winery. Montse Reese joined the winemaking team at Pedroncelli Winery in 2007 serving alongside John Pedroncelli for seven harvests. She was named Winemaker in 2015. Her appointment marked only the third winemaker in nearly 90 years and the first woman. A native of Catalonia, Montse grew up in a culture where wine is considered food and has deep cultural roots. She attended Rovira I Virgili University in Tarragona, Spain and graduated with a degree in Agricultural Engineering/ Enology. Montse worked her first harvest in a small cooperative in the Penedes in 1997. She then came to the United States to work first at Gloria Ferrer followed by Rodney Strong Vineyards and Ferrari-Carano before accepting her position at Pedroncelli. She began as assistant winemaker in 2007 at Pedroncelli Winery. For her, winemaking starts in the vineyard. She advised, “Know your vines, and how to work with them. Secondly know everything about the vinification process in order to create the wine you want to make.” Her first vintage, 2007, still stands out in her mind. That near-perfect year took her back to her winemaker beginnings and set the course for high expectations of every vintage since. She is focused on successfully making wine in a very traditional way for today’s market trends. It is Montse’s goal to create an approachable and unique style of wine because of its’ cultural connection to her roots. “I make wines that will grace the dinner table and I hope will make life a little better for whoever may be enjoying it.” she quips. Montse lives in Cloverdale with her husband Pat and daughter Marion. Outside of the winery she loves spending time with her family will cook paella for anyone. As a family winery who has farmed for 80 years in the Dry Creek Valley, J.Pedroncelli wants the next generations to be able to continue farming in an environmentally sensitive way. The most important statement we can make about our wine is that we are here for the long term and protecting the environment is one way we will achieve that goal. At Pedroncelli Winery, we practice sustainable winegrowing and, over the years, we have been reducing water use, building healthy soil, and protecting the vineyard environment. This is a comprehensive approach to vineyard management that involves all aspects of farming including human resources, viticulture, soil management, water management, pest management, habitat management, and wine quality. Today we will feature three Zinfandels. The first wine is the Zinfandel Mother Clone 2016. Our Mother Clone is a classic Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel with aromas of red and black berries with a touch of warm baking spices. The concentrated flavors of raspberry and blackberry combine with vanilla, toasty oak, pepper and a dash of nutmeg. The spicy-berry dynamic so typical of Dry Creek Zin combines smooth tannins and a spicy finish which are a hallmark of our style. Enjoy now or cellar for three to five years. Our second wine and a favorite of mine is the Zinfandel Bushnell Vineyard 2016. The deep red-purple of this wine shows great depth of color from the vineyard. Spicy aromas of ripe berries mingle with hints of black pepper, cinnamon and toasty oak. Opulent flavors of blackberry, plum, a touch of vanilla and rich cocoa frame this wine. A rich and full bodied Zinfandel with a lingering finish and well balanced between fruit and tannins. The latest addition to their portfolio is the Zinfandel Courage 2016. Opaque ruby-purple at first sight. Aromas of ripe blackberry, cherry, and warm clove. Full bodied with lush red berry, vanilla, mocha notes with a deep spice bramble flavor. Bright acidity and velvety tannins highlight this Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. The lingering finish is framed by pepper and baking spices. Our wines tell the story of vintage, variety and soil. We quietly craft them to deliver beyond expectation and stand firm in our belief that wine is best enjoyed with family and friends. We will now open these great wines and relax as we listen to an older feature with Jim Pedroncelli.Pull up a chair,we already poured you a glass of each of these wines.Cheers! Coming your way next .