Two Single-Vineyard Zins
Point to Strategic Shift for Dry Creek Vineyard

Winery unleashes new wines and renewed focus
 

In a move more akin to a good spring cleaning, rather than a sweeping change, Dry Creek Vineyard has released two single-vineyard Zinfandels from the Dry Creek Valley appellation. This release is the first of a series of wines that will replace the winery’s “reserve” program in favor of smaller vineyard-designate bottlings. The wines feature newly designed labels that capture the essence of the winery with more original yacht artwork and a feel appropriate to their new focus. The package clearly signals change for industry pundits and consumers, so there will be no confusion on store shelves or restaurant wine lists.

A key part of this move is a reduction in case volume of ultra-premium wines from this 31-year old winery in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley. “We’re dedicated to improving the quality of our wines,” states winery General Manager, Don Wallace. “It’s about taking Dry Creek Vineyard to new heights. That’s what these Zins represent.”

The two vineyards, whose names appear on the labels, are Somers Ranch Vineyard and Beeson Ranch Vineyard. There are 500 cases of each and similar amounts of other single-vineyard wines that will be released at a later date.

Somers Ranch and Beeson Ranch Zinfandels were officially released from the winery for shipment to their wine club members in early October and will ship to distributors in January 2004.

The winery committed to this ambitious shift over five years ago and their release of Endeavour Cabernet Sauvignon, a very limited wine in the luxury category, was the first visible indication that change was afoot.