There's More to Dry Creek Valley than Zinfandel

Wine nerds (okay, aficionados)  think of Zinfandel when they hear Dry Creek Valley. And DCV is Zinfandel central, for sure. However, it's about more than Zin, a lot more. 

Late winter at Beeson Ranch, old vine Zinfandel in Dry Creek
image from sonomacounty.com

 

The Dry Creek Valley grape growing area sits about 70 north of the Golden Gate and 20 miles from the Pacific in northern Sonoma County. It's 16 miles long and a mile or two wide. 

Zinfandel was the dominate grape in Dry Creek 150 years ago. Late in the 19th century, phylloxera wiped out most of the vines and replanting was on different, resistant rootstock. There are still vineyards around from those first replanted grapes. There are even some wineries from that time still in operation.

DCV has 9,000 acres of grapes, about 70 wineries, and a single deli if you should get hungry. Sauvignon Blanc is usually grown on the valley floor. Underappreciated is the Cabernet Sauvignon, often grown in the benchland overlooking the valley. You'll find Barbera and Rhone varietals that are quickly gaining in popularity, especially Grenache. There are 30 different grape varieties grown here.

Probably the best known wineries from here are Dry Creek Vineyards, Ferrari-Carano, Rafanelli, Ridge/Lytton Springs, and Seghesio. There are many others, and almost all are family owned. 

Zinfandel lovers should visit Armida, Bella, Dry Creek Vineyards, Dutcher Crossing, Mazzocco, Mauritson, Nalle, Pedroncelli, Quivira, Rafanelli, Ridge/Lytton Springs, Seghesio, and Wilson. These are just a few of the great Zinfandel makers in Dry Creek.

Following are a few places to sample something besides Zin. You'll see some names repeated because I'm familiar with these wineries.

• Cabernet Sauvignon at Dry Creek Vineyards, Lambert Bridge, Pedroncelli
• Grenache at Amphora, Amista, Mounts, Trattore, Unti
• Petite Sirah at Dry Creek Vineyards, Zichichi
• Sauvignon Blanc at Armida, Dry Creek Vineyard, Mill Creek, Quivira, Rued
• You'll also find the popular wines like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at many Dry Creek Valley wineries; usually the fruit comes from other growing areas outside DCV
  
  

The Dry Creek General Store/deli/bar
image from sonomacounty.com