With a Little Help from His Friends, Acclaimed Vintner Continues Program of Legendary Reds
Geyserville, CA, July 7, 2015: Ed Sbragia grew up in Dry Creek Valley, a part of Northern California that Italian Americans have been making wine in for the better part of the 20th century and into the 21st. Having spent his childhood in the family’s Dry Creek vineyards, Ed loves this part of the wine country. And he has always been one to meld family and friends, turning work into a family affair. The release of 2012 Monte Rosso and 2012 Andolsen Cabernet epitomize this tradition.
“In our valley floor estate vineyards, we don’t grow any Cabernet Sauvignon, so I have turned to a couple of longtime, trusted friends who grow the kind of Mountain Cabernet that I love,” says Ed. “Dr. Andolsen is my family doctor and he spends all his free time in his steep, terraced vineyard in Dry Creek’s western foothills. The wine has that ripe, rich cherry character I associate with this AVA.”
“Monte Rosso is a heritage site, one of the grand cru vineyards in Sonoma County,” continued Ed. “At 1,200 feet elevation, this is a classic mountain vineyard on the southwest side of the Mayacamas mountain range. Significant marine influence and red, rocky, volcanic soils give this wine its minerality and rich, elegant flavors.”
“I get the Monte Rosso fruit because of my friendship with Mike Martini,” mused Ed. “His family is the original owner of the vineyard, and we have been in the same rock band for 27 years. At the end of every set, we drink Monte Rosso. I’m honored to make wine from Andolsen and Monte Rosso. The friendships make the wines even more special.”
About the Wines
Sbragia Family 2012 Andolsen Cabernet | Dry Creek Valley | 10 Acres | Planted 1999 | 95% Cabernet, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot | Aged 18 months in French oak | Cases Produced: 1,807
Suggested retail price: $42/ bottle
Sbragia Family 2012 Monte Rosso Cabernet | Moon Mountain District | Planted 1880s | 95% Cabernet, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot | Aged 24 months in new French Nevers oak barrels | Cases Produced: 1,197
Suggested retail price: $65/ bottle
About Sbragia Family Vineyards
Sbragia Family Vineyards is located in Dry Creek Valley. The brand was born in 2001, when Ed Sbragia decided to focus on making limited, individual lots of wine from grapes grown in select blocks of his favorite Sonoma and Napa Vineyards. Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc are produced from estate vineyards in Dry Creek that range in size from five to thirteen acres. The winery also produces a Chardonnay from Gamble Ranch in Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon from Monte Rosso (Moon Mountain District), Godspeed (Mount Veeder) and Andolsen (Dry Creek).
The Sbragia family history runs deep in the Dry Creek Valley. Ed’s grandfather came to the Valley from Tuscany in 1904, where he worked in wineries. Ed’s father, Gino, acquired his own vineyards near Healdsburg, growing zinfandel grapes for sale and home winemaking. The Sbragia family purchased the old Lake Sonoma Winery facility at the end of Dry Creek Valley in 2006 and it is where Sbragia Family Vineyards has made a home for their wines. Today, Ed is joined by his son, Adam Sbragia, as winemaker.
Sbragia Family Vineyards is a Bacchus portfolio company.
For more information, visit www.sbragia.com
About Bacchus Capital Management
Bacchus Capital Management is an investment firm providing strategic capital and making equity investments in United States wineries and wine businesses.
Current Bacchus portfolio companies are: DeLille Cellars, Madrigal Family Winery, Maritime Wine Trading Collective, Panther Creek Cellars, Sbragia Family Vineyards, Dobbes Family Estate / Wine by Joe.
Prior Bacchus portfolio companies are Andretti Winery, Cameron Hughes Wine, and Qupé.
For more information, visit www.bacchuswinefund.com
