Seghesio
Founded in 1895 by an Italian immigrant, Edoardo Seghesio, the Seghesio winery still makes old vine Zinfandel today from those original vines that Edoardo planted. Their Sonoma winery was one of only 100 nationwide to survive the years of Prohibition by selling grapes, grape juice and concentrate. After Repeal, the family bought more acreage and another winery and set up a bulk wine business that produced 1.7 million gallons of wine annually at its peak.
In 1993, the Seghesio’s shifted their efforts from quantity to quality production, reducing annual outputs to 30,000 cases made entirely from the 300 or so acres of heritage old vines the family has amassed since the 19th century. This was a timely decision, made as the boutique winery movement took off and as Zinfandel’s bulk wine image was rehabilitated and California’s oldest vines were being celebrated.
Although renowned as Zinfandel specialists, Seghesio has expanded its scope to include all things Italian. In 1910, Edoardo had planted 10 acres of Tuscan varietals used in making traditional Chianti including what are now known to be the oldest Sangiovese vines in North America. More recently, the family has embraced sustainability and has introduced an Italian Heritage line of wines made from classic Italian varietals like Aglianico, Barbera and Vermentino, among others.