You would possibly already know Northern California’s Rombauer Vineyards for his or her Chardonnay — which is the No. 1-selling luxurious Chardonnay in America and was the one white varietal that the vineyard produced for 25 years. In 2014, when Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc emerged on the scene, it refused to be ignored, like a charismatic youthful sibling whose shine couldn’t be overshadowed.
Within the decade since, Rombauer’s shiny, balanced expression of Sauvignon Blanc has steadily discovered a spot on the desk with sommeliers, consumers, and on a regular basis wine lovers worldwide. Right this moment, as the recognition of Sauvignon Blanc skyrockets, even amid unsure markets, this wine seems downright unstoppable.
Made primarily with fruit from Sonoma County, together with a portion sourced from the hotter climes of the Napa Valley, Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc gives all of the vigorous flavors you’d count on from this versatile grape selection: tangy kiwi, honeydew melon, zingy lime, and invigorating freshly minimize grass.
Its taste profile stands daringly reverse Rombauer’s opulent Chardonnay. With this wine, Rombauer demonstrates a willingness to half with custom and reply to the tastes of rising generations of wine drinkers. For his or her savvy (get it?) they’ve been rewarded: Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc has grow to be the fastest- rising wine of their portfolio, by client demand.
Contemplate the Supply: Sonoma Valley
While you hear “Sauvignon Blanc,” you would possibly consider the Loire Valley of France or the Marlborough District of New Zealand. Nevertheless, don’t sleep on the promise of Sonoma County, the place extra Sauvignon Blanc (2,828 acres, finally rely) is planted than in another county in California.
Composed of vastly various microclimates and, in response to geologists, extra soil varieties than in all of France, Sonoma County yields wines with wide-ranging traits and persona. No single taste profile prevails, which retains issues fascinating. Because of this Sauvignon Blanc planted on one aspect of the county faces dramatically completely different rising circumstances from the identical sort of fruit planted on the opposite aspect.
Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc is grown at historic Carriger Property, which was established as one of many first industrial vineyards in what’s now the Sonoma Valley AVA. Tucked on the foot of Sonoma Mountain, its vines thrive in well-drained alluvial soil and are protected against the cool mist of the close by Pacific Ocean. Heat daylight coaxes tropical flavors from the fruit, whereas gentle breezes enable sluggish ripening and spotlight pyrazines, the compounds that categorical themselves as “inexperienced” aromas or flavors.
It’s a chief spot for Sauvignon Blanc.
“The vineyards in Sonoma County are as numerous because the grapes that develop on them, and we’re thrilled to showcase this AVA in our Sauvignon Blanc.” says Richie Allen, Senior Director of Viticulture & Winemaking.
Right here, the winegrowing custom reaches again greater than 150 years, when Nicholas Carriger bought 1,000 acres with a pocketful of hard-won gold mud. Having traveled west with the Donner Social gathering, Carriger had properly parted methods together with his ill-fated companions, a call that saved his life. Then he struck gold in California, scoring the cash to pay for his future winery.
In 2021, Rombauer Vineyards obtained 90 acres of this apparently fortunate web site, including one other 54 acres from the identical property the next yr. With a purpose to meet rising client demand, they transformed its vineyards from Cabernet Sauvignon to Sauvignon Blanc.
“The vineyards right here produce Sauvignon Blanc that has very excessive varietal depth, which is strictly what we’re in search of in our wine,” says Allen.
Rombauer’s Roots
Hint the origins of Rombauer Vineyards, and also you’ll discover love of meals and all issues culinary. Koerner Rombauer is the great-nephew of Irma Rombauer, writer of the enduring “The Pleasure of Cooking” cookbook. Whereas initially educated as a industrial pilot, Koerner ultimately discovered his love of wine take the lead, and he turned a enterprise accomplice in Conn Creek Vineyard.
In 1980, Joan and Koerner bought their stake in Conn Creek to put money into their very own vineyard, Rombauer Vineyards. That yr, the 2 harvested their first grapes — Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, and produced their first vintages at Shafer Vineyards and Koerner’s storage, which was bonded as a vineyard for this objective. Inside two years, that they had begun development on their very own vineyard on the Silverado Path and in 1984, the primary Rombauer Vineyards wines had been launched — 1980 Cabernet Sauvignon and 1982 Chardonnay.
20 years had handed when Richie Allen, senior director of viticulture and winemaking, started campaigning to persuade the Rombauers to launch a Sauvignon Blanc. After 5 years of pleading, Allen bought his want.
“We prefer to say that our Sauvignon Blanc is the wine that nearly wasn’t — it took me awhile to persuade Koerner that this was the appropriate wine for our clients,” he says. “For sure, this wine arguably turned his private favourite.”
The primary 1,000 instances of Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc bought out in six months. What’s extra, the wine turned Koerner’s private favourite, and he started stocking instances in his house cellar. By 2019, at a manufacturing degree of round 16,000 instances, the wine was gaining traction. Right this moment, Sauvignon Blanc is the second hottest wine for Rombauer.
With 700 acres of vineyards owned and leased, Rombauer now claims properties throughout Northern California within the following appellations: Carneros, Atlas Peak, Stags Leap District, St. Helena, Calistoga, Sonoma Valley, and the Sierra Foothills. Along with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, Rombauer produces Pinot Noir, Barbera, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zinfandel. In each their vineyards and wineries, Rombauer Vineyards maintains Licensed California Sustainable accreditation and a dedication to earth-friendly manufacturing practices.
Right this moment, Allen and his winemaking group are excited in regards to the persevering with progress of the Sauvignon Blanc program. Acquiring the Carriger winery is a win for the vineyard and can assist guarantee consistency of fruit high quality in future vintages. With the rising demand for gentle, shiny, white wines from shoppers throughout the nation, Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc appears to be a positive factor.
This text is sponsored by Rombauer Vineyards.
