Santa Rosa, CA (March 28, 2018) — Sonoma County Vintners unveiled 100 rare and unique wines, the most ever offered, that will each be sold to the highest bidder at the Fourth Annual Sonoma County Barrel Auction for licensed wine trade taking place Friday, April 20, 2018. The 2018 lots from Sonoma County’s top vineyards and wineries are described in full on the auction website and will be auctioned off at the event taking place at MacMurray Estate Vineyards™.
The 2018 Sonoma County Barrel Auction lots represent the diversity of Sonoma County with at least a dozen new winery entrants this year and auction lots from the newest approved appellation, Petaluma Gap. Each lot submitted for the auction was evaluated in double blind tastings held in March by seven panelists comprised of Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine. Sonoma County Barrel Auction lots range in size from five to 20 cases and include highly collectible single vineyard bottlings, blends, and joint lot wines made by collaborating wineries.
This year, proceeds from two special “Sonoma Rising” barrel lots will go to the Sonoma County Vintners Emergency Relief Fund and are specifically dedicated to assisting those who were affected by the October wildfires. The Emergency Relief Fund was established to address the immediate, mid- and long-term needs of the local community impacted by natural disaster or other emergencies. Sonoma Rising “Fortitude” is a once-‐in-‐a-‐lifetime 20-case lot of 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon from Aperture, Lambert Bridge Winery, Laurel Glen Vineyard and Mauritson Wines, four wineries that share an affinity for hillside-‐grown Cabernet. Sonoma Rising “Resilience” is a 20-case lot of elegant Pinot Noir produced with fruit from the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast, crafted by the talented winemakers from AldenAlli, Arista Winery, Benovia Winery and Williams Selyem.
The auction will also take time out to thank its community heroes during the event and at a special trade and media reception Thursday, April 19th. “During our past auctions, we’ve honored wine industry ‘Icons’, individuals who have truly helped shape the heritage and history of Sonoma County winemaking. This year is different. There were so many in the community that stepped up in October—first responders, police, firefighters, chefs and media—we would have been remiss if we did not use this opportunity to say thank you,” says Sonoma County Vintners Interim Executive Director Michael Haney.
Other highly collectible lots for sale at the 2018 Sonoma County Barrel Auction include Silver Oak’s
“Sensational Silver Oak”. Silver Oak Director of Winemaking Nate Weis has created a one-of-a-kind, 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Silver Oak’s sustainably-farmed Alexander Valley estate vineyard Red Tail Ranch and grower partners Terra a Lago and Rotlisberger Ranch. The wine is presented in memory of Val Peline, owner of Terra a Lago, who passed away in October of 2017. The prestigious 2016 Donelan Family Wines “Sacred Syrah” is five cases of cool-climate Syrah made, in part, from a vineyard site that was lost in the October 2017 wildfires, making this auction truly the only opportunity to obtain this specific wine.
Collaborative lots from specific appellations include “The Zintners Strike Back”, a 2016 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel from the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley. This special bottling renews an annual tradition. The six wineries contributing to this lot are comprised of “original” Zintners from 1986 along with a handful of newer producers, each of whom have a special interest in Zinfandel. Petaluma Gap Winegrowers, representing the newest Sonoma County AVA, are offering two Pinot Noir lots where one showcases women and the other men winemakers from the region. West Sonoma Coast Vintners are presenting five one-time-only collaborations designed to showcase the diversity of their AVA and to offer “never before, never again” Pinot Noir lots that celebrate their commitment to creating the finest wines from a truly remarkable region. Russian River Valley Winegrowers will celebrate 180 years of winemaking with their exceptional Pinot Noir lot designed to highlight the collaborative work of seven of their most experienced winemakers in the region.
Three unique, five-case, sparkling wine lots will woo bidders to raise their paddles this year. Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards “LD MMI” is a late-disgorged sparkling wine from the 2001 harvest—Winemaker Steven Urberg’s first at Gloria Ferrer. Iron Horse Vineyards “A Cuvée for the Ages” is a 2014 vintage blend of 72 percent Pinot Noir and 28 percent Chardonnay, which was laid down for aging in spring 2015 with plans to disgorge after four years en tirage and finish with a unique dosage created especially for the successful bidder. Finally, J Vineyards & Winery is presenting a 2008 late disgorged Extra Brut Sparkling crafted using J’s rare Coquard presses and the timeless methods established centuries ago in France.
Qualified members of the licensed wine trade who would like to place absentee bids or request an invitation to attend must do so in advance as space is limited. For details, visit sonomawine.com/barrelauction or contact sommelier@fullcirclewinesolutions.com.
About Sonoma County Vintners
Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions, noted for its heritage of artisan winemaking, distinct growing regions, and extraordinary quality. Founded in 1944, SCV represents more than 200 wineries and affiliated businesses throughout the county. To learn more about Sonoma County Vintners, visit: www.SonomaWine.com.
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