2021 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Barbera, Lake County
Aromatics
Planted sometime between 1910 and 1920, the Giannecchini family farmed their vineyard for four generations, producing outstanding Italian grape varietals. Our Barbera was grown on our own Lake County ranch in honor of this legacy.
We proudly offer this medium-bodied, sophisticated wine, inspired by the rich, old-world heritage of this legendary local family. Silky and velvety in texture, vibrant flavors of ripe fruit and raspberries fill the palate. Complimented by a long-lasting, structured finish with subtle hints of oak. Enjoy now, or cellar for years to come.
Specs
Appellation: Lake County
18 months of oak aging, 25% new oak, French
Alcohol: 15%
pH: 3.7
Total Acidity: 0.61
Cases Produced: 430
2019 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino County
Tasting notes
Our Old Vine Zinfandel hails from the Talmage Bench region of Mendocino County. Previously farmed by four generations of the Giannecchini family, this vineyard was planted sometime between 1910 and 1920. The gravelly, loam soils and ideal climate contribute to the production of these ultra-premium wine grapes.
There’s something magical about head-pruned, dry-farmed, old vine zinfandel. The wines are bold, beautiful, dense, and truly express the terroir. This is a full-bodied Zinfandel that shows the power of Mendocino’s Talmage bench. Its deep color lends aromas of dark fruit and tobacco to the nose. The balance between tannins and acid allows this wine to pair beautifully with a variety of meats, or even just a plate of cheese. Enjoy now, or cellar for years to come.
Specs
Appellation: Mendocino County
20 months oak aging, 30% new oak, French & American
Alcohol; 15%
pH: 3.75
Total Acidity: 0.62
Cases Produced: 2000
2021 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Carignan, Mendocino County
Tasting Notes
Our Carignan hails from the acclaimed region of Mendocino County. Previously farmed by four generations of the Giannecchini family, this vineyard was planted sometime between 1910 and 1920. The gravelly, loam soils and ideal climate contribute to the production of these ultra-premium wine grapes.
We proudly offer this full-bodied, sophisticated wine, inspired by the rich, old-world heritage of this legendary local family. Aromas of blackberry, plum, and a hint of tobacco complement dark fruit flavors of blackcurrant with a touch of chocolate, ending in a savory long lasting finish. Enjoy now, or cellar for years to come.
Specs
Appellation: Mendocino County
18 months of oak aging, 18% new oak, French
Alcohol: 15%
pH: 3.58
Total Acidity: 0.65
Cases Produced: 360
What’s Included
3-bottles:
1x 2021 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Barbera, Lake County
1x 2021 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Carignan, Mendocino County
1x 2019 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino County
Case:
4x 2021 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Barbera, Lake County
4x 2021 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Carignan, Mendocino County
4x 2019 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino County
At Shannon Ridge, we live in harmony with Mother Nature. The vineyards feed the sheep, the sheep feed the vines; the lamb feeds the people, the people drink the wine, and wear wool.
We are dedicated to creating a family of wines that consumers love at top-quality and affordable prices. We are passionate about preserving our land, not only for great vineyard sites, but for the wild creatures that share our property. Our sustainability practices integrate a flock of sheep that clean the vineyards, remove the excess canopy, and reduce the need for chemicals, while providing natural fertilizer.
“We grow incredible mountain fruit at a great value for our customers. You can’t find this level of quality at an everyday drinking price.”
Clay grew up on a farm in Healdsburg in Sonoma County. He began his career as a vineyard manager in St. Helena, traveling the wine regions of California, managing the company’s vineyards. A short time later, he started his own vineyard management company, growing grapes for some of the top wineries and fruit companies in Northern California.
Owner and visionary leader of Shannon Ridge Family of Wines, Clay Shannon has transformed his ranch into one of the agricultural icons of California’s North Coast, and in doing so is changing the face and substance of grape-growing in the USA.
In 1995, Clay discovered a magnificent piece of property in the hills overlooking Clear Lake in Lake County, thirty-five miles north of Napa’s famed vineyards. He quickly set out to develop vineyards. Clay’s vision was simple: “We wanted to grow the best fruit in the world,” says Clay, “but we wanted to do it in a way that made us happy living there.”
“Sustainability wasn’t some philosophical concept; it is the way we live our lives.”
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI
Giannecchini Family Vineyard Mixed Reds
3 bottles for $69.99 $23.33/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Old Vine Zin
Hmm okay. And many of you know I’m not the biggest fan of reds, but went for it. Did leave it in the frig a bit too long (website said chill for 20-30) so had to let it warm up a bit. I also did something I’d been thinking about and poured just a wee bit into a Norlan Whiskey glass. they are supposed (and do pretty well) to give you aroma without the smell of alcohol.
It did smell more fruity from the whiskey glass. Lots of berry . The Ginnecchini website said tobacco which I did not smell (thankfully, cause I don’t like it and I know it doesn’t smell like a cigarette, but it’s still not me.
Tasting it was also berry and plum. And even in the wine glass the berry was the strongest to me. It would be very yummy with a meat and cheese etc platter/plate.
This bottle showed up just in time! Gave it about 30 mins to breathe and had it with Thai food for dinner tonight (Thai was already on the menu).
I have a good friend whose family comes from the Piedmont region in Italy, so I love a nice Barbera or Borolo, but I don’t normally buy US grown Italian wine, especially because I can easily find quality Barolo & Barbera in my local wine store. So I came in intrigued but unsure.
The wine was very pleasant. Not overly fruity, but certainly has hints of red fruit, but was a bit more earthy and acidic. That combined very well with the tannins to give a well balanced wine that really was reminiscent of a slightly more tannin forward version of a Piedmont Barbera!
I’m definitely interested to try and convince my wife to pick up a few bottles. I’m not sure I’d pay the winery’s $50 + shipping list price for this (given so much good Piedmont wine available locally) but it’s absolutely worth the $18-26 price through casemates. My wife said she’d pay $40 a bottle if we were picking something up at the store and I said $32-34 (both before this offer came up).
If the Shannons can figure out a California Nebbiolo, then I might have to become a wine club member! Either way - we might need to keeping going North on our next Napa-Sonoma loop winery tour - starting in Napa, we normally make it to Calistoga and Geyserville and turn around back to Sonoma! Clearly I need to keep going up to Clear Lake next trip to expand our horizons!
@larsrulz 2 questions: where do you live to be able to find “so much good Piedmont wine available locally”, and have you tried one of Scott Harvey’s wonderful Barberas?
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Giannecchini Family Vineyard Mixed Reds - $80 = 28.56%
A couple of zin-centric thoughts:
Reverse Wine Snob:
92-points from Wine Enthusiast, 94-points from us. Unfortunately, a lot of what passes for “old vine” these days, especially in Zinfandel, isn’t really that old.
Today’s fantastically delicious offer comes from the dry-farmed Giannecchini Family Vineyard, which was planted sometime between 1910 and 1920, making it somewhere between 100 and 110-years-old.
In addition to these excellent grapes, no expense was spared in making this delicious wine using 70% new French oak (with the other 30% being used French and American barrels) for 19 months.
The 2019 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel begins with a full, inviting aroma chocked with wonderful spicy dark berry fruit plus touches of licorice, leather, vanilla, espresso and much more.
Tasting reveals a rich and delicious full-bodied Zin that is very harmonious, balanced and full of the depth and nuance that only old vines can bring. In the mouth it features a smooth texture and all those same touches from the nose including the fantastic spicy dark fruit.
It ends wonderfully with a dry, grippy and very long finish. I’d give it an hour or two to breathe after opening for it to be at its best. It was just as good on day 2. Pair it with beef brisket slathered in barbecue sauce for a match made in heaven! 1/25
Enthusiast, the zin:
92 points. Pure, focused and concentrated, this full-bodied wine shows a laser beam of wild-berry flavors that are nicely shaped by moderate tannins and a slightly tangy balance. Delicious now through at least 2029. — Jim Gordon 10/1/22
Not sure what the RWS price was, but Wine Spies had the zin in August for $22 (who cares, right?)
As always, it’s a treat to receive an unexpected email from Alice. I was out of town most of the weekend so we had an abbreviated tasting after dinner last night.
We received the 2021 Carignan:
Notes on the bottle call for notes of blackberry, plum, and a hint of tobacco. Flavors include dark fruits like blackcurrant and a touch of chocolate with a long finish.
Given we had little time to prepare, this was a straight pop and pour that revealed a beautiful deep burgundy color in the glass.
On the initial nose, we picked up dark berries and earthiness - prunes, blackberry, plum, pepper, and spice. First sips confirmed the berry with a clean dry finish.
Then we poured through the Vinturi and sipped again,. Opened up now, the flavors were more integrated, with less earthiness, and a little more pepper.
As is usually our case, we sampled with a variety of bites we had on hand. Today’s selection was parmesan reggiano, bourbon gouda, genoa salame, honey smoked salmon, macadamia nuts, and wheat crackers.
Both of us really liked it with the cheeses - the parmesan really highlighted the dry finish and it cut nicely through the gouda’s creaminess.
The better half thought it would excel with smoked meats, and I agree, although she liked the pairing with the smoked salmon more than I did. We both enjoyed it with the salame.
It did not work well with the nuts, however.
Overall, we did like it. I’d say it would complement many meals nicely - look for foods that would benefit from the dark fruits and smokiness evident in the wine.
In my head I was expecting a ~$15 price point here and that’s just about where it landed. Of course, I didn’t know at the time it would be a mixed case - so heed the other Rats’ thoughts on the Zin and Barbera. Truthfully, I would pass at retail, but the QPR here is solid as usual.
2021 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Barbera, Lake County
Aromatics
Specs
2019 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino County
Tasting notes
Specs
2021 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Carignan, Mendocino County
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$600.00/Case for 4x 2021 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Barbera, Lake County + 4x 2021 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Carignan, Mendocino County + 4x 2019 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, Mendocino County at Shannon Family of Wines
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI
Estimated Delivery
Monday, May 5 - Tuesday, May 6
Giannecchini Family Vineyard Mixed Reds
3 bottles for $69.99 $23.33/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2021 Barbera
2021 Carignan
2019 Old Vine Zinfandel
Old Vine Zin
Hmm okay. And many of you know I’m not the biggest fan of reds, but went for it. Did leave it in the frig a bit too long (website said chill for 20-30) so had to let it warm up a bit. I also did something I’d been thinking about and poured just a wee bit into a Norlan Whiskey glass. they are supposed (and do pretty well) to give you aroma without the smell of alcohol.
It did smell more fruity from the whiskey glass. Lots of berry . The Ginnecchini website said tobacco which I did not smell (thankfully, cause I don’t like it and I know it doesn’t smell like a cigarette, but it’s still not me.
Tasting it was also berry and plum. And even in the wine glass the berry was the strongest to me. It would be very yummy with a meat and cheese etc platter/plate.
Appearance is pretty darn dark.
All in all pretty nice for a red
Grin
Barbera Rattage
This bottle showed up just in time! Gave it about 30 mins to breathe and had it with Thai food for dinner tonight (Thai was already on the menu).
I have a good friend whose family comes from the Piedmont region in Italy, so I love a nice Barbera or Borolo, but I don’t normally buy US grown Italian wine, especially because I can easily find quality Barolo & Barbera in my local wine store. So I came in intrigued but unsure.
The wine was very pleasant. Not overly fruity, but certainly has hints of red fruit, but was a bit more earthy and acidic. That combined very well with the tannins to give a well balanced wine that really was reminiscent of a slightly more tannin forward version of a Piedmont Barbera!
I’m definitely interested to try and convince my wife to pick up a few bottles. I’m not sure I’d pay the winery’s $50 + shipping list price for this (given so much good Piedmont wine available locally) but it’s absolutely worth the $18-26 price through casemates. My wife said she’d pay $40 a bottle if we were picking something up at the store and I said $32-34 (both before this offer came up).
If the Shannons can figure out a California Nebbiolo, then I might have to become a wine club member! Either way - we might need to keeping going North on our next Napa-Sonoma loop winery tour - starting in Napa, we normally make it to Calistoga and Geyserville and turn around back to Sonoma! Clearly I need to keep going up to Clear Lake next trip to expand our horizons!
@larsrulz 2 questions: where do you live to be able to find “so much good Piedmont wine available locally”, and have you tried one of Scott Harvey’s wonderful Barberas?
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Giannecchini Family Vineyard Mixed Reds - $80 = 28.56%
A couple of zin-centric thoughts:
Reverse Wine Snob:
92-points from Wine Enthusiast, 94-points from us. Unfortunately, a lot of what passes for “old vine” these days, especially in Zinfandel, isn’t really that old.
Today’s fantastically delicious offer comes from the dry-farmed Giannecchini Family Vineyard, which was planted sometime between 1910 and 1920, making it somewhere between 100 and 110-years-old.
In addition to these excellent grapes, no expense was spared in making this delicious wine using 70% new French oak (with the other 30% being used French and American barrels) for 19 months.
The 2019 Giannecchini Family Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel begins with a full, inviting aroma chocked with wonderful spicy dark berry fruit plus touches of licorice, leather, vanilla, espresso and much more.
Tasting reveals a rich and delicious full-bodied Zin that is very harmonious, balanced and full of the depth and nuance that only old vines can bring. In the mouth it features a smooth texture and all those same touches from the nose including the fantastic spicy dark fruit.
It ends wonderfully with a dry, grippy and very long finish. I’d give it an hour or two to breathe after opening for it to be at its best. It was just as good on day 2. Pair it with beef brisket slathered in barbecue sauce for a match made in heaven! 1/25
Enthusiast, the zin:
92 points. Pure, focused and concentrated, this full-bodied wine shows a laser beam of wild-berry flavors that are nicely shaped by moderate tannins and a slightly tangy balance. Delicious now through at least 2029. — Jim Gordon 10/1/22
Not sure what the RWS price was, but Wine Spies had the zin in August for $22 (who cares, right?)
fwiw
As always, it’s a treat to receive an unexpected email from Alice. I was out of town most of the weekend so we had an abbreviated tasting after dinner last night.
We received the 2021 Carignan:
Notes on the bottle call for notes of blackberry, plum, and a hint of tobacco. Flavors include dark fruits like blackcurrant and a touch of chocolate with a long finish.
Given we had little time to prepare, this was a straight pop and pour that revealed a beautiful deep burgundy color in the glass.
On the initial nose, we picked up dark berries and earthiness - prunes, blackberry, plum, pepper, and spice. First sips confirmed the berry with a clean dry finish.
Then we poured through the Vinturi and sipped again,. Opened up now, the flavors were more integrated, with less earthiness, and a little more pepper.
As is usually our case, we sampled with a variety of bites we had on hand. Today’s selection was parmesan reggiano, bourbon gouda, genoa salame, honey smoked salmon, macadamia nuts, and wheat crackers.
Both of us really liked it with the cheeses - the parmesan really highlighted the dry finish and it cut nicely through the gouda’s creaminess.
The better half thought it would excel with smoked meats, and I agree, although she liked the pairing with the smoked salmon more than I did. We both enjoyed it with the salame.
It did not work well with the nuts, however.
Overall, we did like it. I’d say it would complement many meals nicely - look for foods that would benefit from the dark fruits and smokiness evident in the wine.
In my head I was expecting a ~$15 price point here and that’s just about where it landed. Of course, I didn’t know at the time it would be a mixed case - so heed the other Rats’ thoughts on the Zin and Barbera. Truthfully, I would pass at retail, but the QPR here is solid as usual.
@sdilullo you had me at “bourbon gouda”!
@TimW It was pretty tasty - Red Apple brand, I believe, if that’s available in your parts
SE Michiganders- Don’t think I’ll pull the trigger myself, but I could be convinced to split, 3 or 6.
Anyone in the DMV interested in splitting a case? I’m in Alexandria.