Stopping By Acorn Winery/Alegria Vineyards

When KB was here and we were planning our wine visits, BK suggested we go to Acorn Winery, one of his absolute favorites. Our planning was unfortunately less than optimal, so we didn’t realize visits were by appointment only until driving past. Luckily, our frantic (nearly begging) phone call got us in for tasting. Quite the small operation–less than 3,000 cases–we stood at a barrel by the door, near stacked cases of wine, sampling the wines out of mismatched glassware. Betsy, one of the owners, told us she liked it that way. She also told us something I should have known about Rosenblum Cellars as she was going over the history.

Timeline:
1990–purchased Alegria Vineyards
1991–have this written down, not sure why. maybe when vines were planted
1994–first vintage, sold grapes to Ridge Winery until 1997
1996–Acorn Winery was established, first wine: Sangiovese
1997–Acorn Winery made first Zinfandel
1997-2003–sold grapes to Rosenblum Cellars

At Acorn, all wines are blends, but the blend happens in the fields rather than the barrel. The aim is for them to be balanced, complex, and of the place. After tasting through some of the wares, I’d say the effect was acheived. Sadly, there was no Dolcetto to try, but we had several others. The Medley, the blend of blends; the Sangiovese, which smelled like candy and tasted like brownies but with great acidity; the Heritage Vines Zinfandel with Alicante Bouschet and Petite Sirah, tasting smokier and of bright red fruit; and the Axiom Syrah with cocoa, huge black currant and other dark fruit.

Good thing we got in last minute because the wines were a great hit and turned out to be one of KB’s favorites from her entire trip. And I’ve made up for my earlier ignorance and have since sweet talked a co-worker into sharing an Alegria Vineyard Zin from Rosenblum….