How did Zinfandel become “California’s Red Grape”? In this episode, your host, Leslie Sbrocco will talk with Zinfandel winemakers who will explain the lineage of this sturdy grape! Join us for the facts and some personal stories from our winemakers!
Grab a glass of Zin and join Leslie now for Episode Two!
Joel Peterson is the founder and winemaker at Once and Future Wines and of Ravenswood Winery. After working with Joseph Swan, one of the masters of California Zinfandel, Joel founded Ravenswood in 1976, producing 327 cases of Old Vine Zinfandel. Ravenswood now has a world-wide reputation and is one of the largest, most successful, highly-rated, Zinfandel producers in California. Joel works with 100+ growers that provide grapes for Ravenswood annually, consulting on irrigation practices, cultivation practices, cropping levels and other vineyard management issues.
Joel’s diverse background includes Bio-medical research, wine writing, and consulting. Joel is a current member and former president of the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance (S.V.V.G.A.) and is on the Board of Directors for the Sonoma County Vintners. He is an advisor to the Historic Vineyard Society. He is a founding Board member and former two-time President of Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (Z.A.P.). Joel has appeared in many Zinfandel forums and is the long time moderator for “Flights,” ZAP’s Zinfandel educational lecture series. Joel has also worked as a Senior Vice President with Constellation Wines US. In 2011, Joel was inducted into the Vintner’s Hall of Fame and in 2013 he was voted as one of the “20 Most Admired People in the North American Wine Industry” by Vineyard and Winery Management Magazine. Joel’s latest project is Once & Future Wines, which focuses on making small-production hand-crafted single vineyard wines that honor the distinctive typicity of site. In 2006 Joel’s son Morgan followed his father’s lead and founded Bedrock Wine Company, which has become another highly successful California Zinfandel and Heritage wine producer.
David A. Rafanelli
Following in his father, Americo’s footsteps, David had the passion for growing grapes and making wine. He earned his degree in Viticulture from UC Davis and began to seek out the best land to plant more varietals for the winery portfolio. David and his wife Patty continued with the family business and have propelled it to a new level of excellence.
Rashell (Shelly) Rafanelli
After graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, David and Patty’s eldest daughter worked side-by-side with her father until becoming the head winemaker in 2000. With the help of her husband Craig Fehlman, who manages all of their vineyards, they hope to carry on the family tradition and continue improving the wines. Shelly’s sister, Stacy, is in charge of daily operations at the winery.
Tim Bell, winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyard, has worked with a wide range of grape varieties and wine styles in Napa Valley, Sonoma, and the Central Coast: still wine, sparkling, dessert, even Kosher. Tim’s creativity in blending and extensive experience shaping wine quality in the vineyard made him a great choice for the winemaking team at Dry Creek Vineyard starting in 2011. He graduated with honors in winemaking at UC Davis, learning the intricacies of wine chemistry and microbiology that inform his stylistic choices in creating delicious blends. With this education, and formative experiences in a previous career selling wine, Tim arrived at a balanced, complex winemaking style shaped by his precise palate and preference for wines that define their varietal character.
Early in his career, Tim worked at Freemark Abbey, helping to shape the wine style and vineyard program. Later, he became the Director of Winemaking at Kunde, gaining critical acclaim for his Sauvignon Blancs, Zinfandels and Cabernet Sauvignons. All of this experience has prepared Tim for what he has called “his best winemaking job.”
A good winemaker understands terroir. A great winemaker understands how to push the envelope to fully reveal what terroir can achieve, and since 2017, Emily Haines has done just that to shape the next generation of Terra d’Oro wines.
Emily graduated with a degree in biotechnology and biochemistry at Eastern Washington University. While working in a research lab she took a part-time stint in a tasting room. Seeing everything involved in the winemaking decisions appealed to her scientific mind, and she quit her steady job to try her hand at winemaking.
She honed her skills at the Wahluke Wine Company in Washington, ultimately serving as director of winemaking for its Millbrandt Vineyards, where she earned a number of 90+ scores from top critics.
The possibility to work with Terra d’Oro’s vineyard holdings attracted Emily to Amador County, and her skills and keen palate have continued to refine Terra d’Oro’s terroir-driven wines since then.
Born and raised in Napa, Robert (Bob) Biale is the son and grandson of Napa Valley grape growers. Working the farm was an integral part of growing up, but he left the ranch after high school to explore other horizons. While studying engineering at San Diego State, Bob served in the Navy Reserves as a Search & Rescue Air Crewman. Before graduating, he also served as a lay missionary for the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea for three years.
Upon returning to the states, Bob finished his bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies/Social Justice at Dominican College of San Rafael and married his wife, Wendy. However, it wasn’t long before the family vineyards beckoned him to return, and in 1989, Bob pursued a career in winemaking. He worked as a harvest intern at Beringer, which later became a 10-year cellar position.
In 1991, Bob and his partners Dave Pramuk, Al Perry, and his father, Aldo Biale, formed Robert Biale Vineyards. Today, Bob is the owner, President, and Manager of Vineyard Operations and Grower Relations. He is also the past president of Zinfandel Advocates and Producers, a past board member of the Napa County Farm Bureau, and a current board member of the Historic Vineyard Society.
Born in Ithaca, New York, and raised in California, Brandon’s interest in wine originated with his grandparents who collected rare wines. During Brandon’s upbringing he was invited to enjoy some of these rare wines. “I was always mystified and intrigued by the traditions and stories involved with each bottle of wine,” says Brandon.
Brandon was offered the assistant winemaker position at Peachy Canyon Winery in Paso Robles, CA upon returning to the US. Here he worked with Zinfandel from some of the most sought-after vineyards on the Central Coast, producing many noteworthy and award winning wines. His success at Peachy Canyon brought him to the attention of Dan Goldfield of Dutton Goldfield winery in the Russian River Valley appellation of Sonoma County, where Brandon served as the assistant winemaker. During his four years at Dutton Goldfield, Brandon mastered cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; well-structured wines with profound flavor. His experience producing world-class Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel made Brandon the perfect winemaker for Armida Winery, where he made elegant, single-vineyard wines beginning in 2010. Currently at Bella Vineyards and Wine Caves, he is now creating the masterpiece of his life!
When not making wine you’ll often find Brandon in the tasting room conversing with friends and customers and sharing his love of wine. When he isn’t at the winery Brandon acts as the President of the Board of Directors of ZAP, Zinfandel Advocates and Producers.
Randle Johnson has made wine in Napa for over forty years. After stints at Souverain Winery, Mayacamas Vineyards, and Stags' Leap, Randle became the winemaker at The Hess Collection in 1983. Now Randle brings his extensive experience and knowledge to his own wines for Calafia Cellars.
Randle worked with the Napa Valley microclimates as a vineyard manager and cellar master of Mayacamus Vineyards. He has honed his wine making skills as the winemaker for Stags’ Leap Vineyard, and as a special projects manager creating exceptional wines from Mt. Veeder Mountain grapes for the Hess Collection.
In 1979, Randle began Calafia Wines, named after the queen of California. Early on, he specialized in Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa and Sonoma sides of the Mt. Veeder ridge. In 1991, Randle began making Malbec, creating a new direction in his style, and planting Malbec in his personal vineyard. Also in 1991, Randle and MaryLee were married next to this estate vineyard in St. Helena. Together, they have expanded the Calafia portfolio to include Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, an Estate Bordeaux Blend, Verdelho and Rosé.
Randle has also been active with Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP), serving on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee since 2012.
