Seghesio Family Vineyards
If you’re looking for great wine with a side of history, Seghesio Family Vineyards is the spot for you. Seghesio has been a staple of Sonoma County for over a century- 120 years, to be exact. The vineyard was established in 1885 by Italian immigrant Edoardo Seghesio. He and his wife, Angela, worked hard to ensure the winery survived the Prohibition era; they were 1 of only 100 wineries to do so. Generations of Seghesios kept the wine business going, and they were finally able to make wine for their own label in the 1980s. Since then, Seghesio has joined the Crimson Wine Group, and it’s known for its exceptional Zinfandels, which also happens to be the same grape that Edoardo Seghesio planted when he first arrived in Sonoma in the late 1800s. Seghesio Family Vineyards is more than a business; it’s a legacy, and the embodiment of the American Dream.
The Wines
Although Seghesio is known for its Zinfandels, they also produce a variety of Italian reds and whites, as well as a few blends. If you’re fortunate enough to travel to Sonoma, you can experience their wines firsthand by setting up a private tasting in their Old Vine Cellar Lounge. You’ll have the chance to taste their Chianti Station, which is made from the oldest Sangiovese vines in America, as well as a sampling of various other wines of different ages and locations, all accompanied by an antipasto plate created by Executive Chef Peter Janiak.
Special Events
If wine and food is your thing (and if it’s not, it should be) then you’ll probably want to snag a seat at the Chef’s Table. Chef Peter personally cultivates the menu for these events so that the meal compliments the selected wines and reflects the Italian history of the vineyard. The Seghesio family ensures that you’ll experience the values of the winery when you dine at their table: wine, food, and friendship.
In addition to the Chef’s table, Seghesio also hosts a variety of events throughout the year. On May 4th they’ll host the Centennial Club Release Party where members of their wine club are invited to taste the wines from the May shipment while snacking on appetizers and talking with the winemaking team. If you’re not a member of the wine club, don’t sweat it- you can attend the family friendly Zin and BBQ Festival “County Fair” on July 20th. Attendees of this event will enjoy some delicious BBQ whipped up by Chef Janiak while they sip flavorful Zinfandels and listen to tunes by Soulshine.
Commitment to Sustainability
Seghesio is about more than just selling wine; they also have a commitment to sustainability. Their dedication and respect towards the land they farm goes back for generations, and they formally adopted sustainable farming in 2003. They’ve developed innovative processes in order to save energy and conserve water while still producing high quality grapes. They proudly state on their website that they’re committed to preserving the land while they accomplish their goals so that they don’t “compromise the natural resources future generations will require to meet their own goals.” Nowadays it’s all too common to find companies that are more concerned with profit than with quality, and that value production over land conservation, so it’s refreshing to find a successful business that is also committed to maintaining the land for future generations. Go to their site to learn more about how they’ve adopted sustainable farming both in the vineyards and in the winery- you won’t be disappointed!
Have you made a trip to Sonoma Valley? What’s your favorite winery? If you’re planning a trip, make sure Seghesio Family Vineyards is on your list!