Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery is one of the old stalwarts of Sonoma, having been in business for just a hundred years. Their vineyards are even older. In 1904, Samuele Sebastiani purchased vineyards that had been planted by the Franciscans back in 1825. Samuele's son, August, took over the winery in 1944 and increased the production exponentially, introducing America to "Nouveau" Gamay Beaujolais, and gaining a reputation as a skilled winemaker.
The current facilities lie just a few walking blocks away from picturesque downtown Sonoma Square. It is a lovely walk, by the way, as you past many historic buildings. The building facilities are large and daunting and the entrance to the tasting room is awe-inspiring with its tremendous bounty of booty to be purchased.
I will frequently bemoan the wine-related tschotchkes that are peddled in most commercial tasting centers, but I have to admit that the sheer volume AND quality of plates, decorative items, jewelry, housewares, and clothing at Sebastiani has yet to be surpassed. The other surprising factor (for me, at any rate), was the quality of the wine. Being a baby-boomer, there is a certain reputation that certain wines have by virtue of having been served "by the carafe" to my parents when I was growing up.
2004 Pinot Noir Blanc (Eye of the Swan) - A Pinot that sees skin contact for 24 hours. Rather nice balance of acid and a touch of sweetness. Bright entry blossoms in the mouth for a full, creamy finish that suggests banana. $13.00
2003 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast - Massive fruit bomb. Somewhat harsh coffee, strawberry entry levels out to a smoother finish of vanilla. $15.00
2002 Pinot Noir, Carneros - Oaky aromas slowly hint at a jammy cherry bouquet and a hint of petrol. Acidic mid-palate and a rather strident finish. $24.00
2001 Zinfandel, Sonoma County - Enticing smoky raspberry and lavender notes anticipates the mouth feel quite nicely. A fruit forward finish with a touch of spice. $15.00
2002 Domenici Zinfandel - Fruit bomb aromas of jammy raspberry which fade to produce a little candy shop spice. Velvety entry produces a balanced, even taste with a slight spiced punctuated finish. My pick of the tasting! $25.00
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County - Green bell pepper scents subsides to produce overtly blackberry tones. Herby mid-palate finishes in spicy qualities. $17.00
2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, "Cherryblock" - Very fruit-forward, jammy aromas of dark fruit and a touch of oak. Opulent-style apparent on entry with a hot mid-palate that will subside with aging. A balanced, mineral finish didn't disappoint. $75.00
2004 Sylvia Sebastiani's Symphony - Symphony is a hybrid grape developed by Dr. Harold Olmo of UC Davis comprised of Alexandria Muscat and Grenache. This wine is grown in the Clarksburg Appellation in Yolo County. The wine is a light straw color and being over 3% residual sugar, is a tad sweet. Aromas and flavors of grapefruit and more subtle tropical fruits. $15.00
I was surprised as well when some wine-loving friends suggested Sebastiani; I have many of the same associations with the name that you have.
As I'm sure you know, back in 2001, I think, they sold off the Turner Road label which accounted for something like 98% of their production. All so they could focus on quality. I guess it's more or less working (they weren't pouring cherryblock when we were there; bummer for us).
Posted by: Derrick Schneider | March 15, 2005 at 02:16 PM
Derrick - thanks so much for the comment! I had to admit a total, raised-eyebrow shock at how decent the wines really were. Glad I'm not the only one!
Cheers!
Posted by: Carolyn Tillie | March 16, 2005 at 08:40 AM
Derrick - thanks so much for the comment! I had to admit a total, raised-eyebrow shock at how decent the wines really were. Glad I'm not the only one!
Cheers!
Posted by: Carolyn Tillie | March 16, 2005 at 08:40 AM
When you arrive in Sebastiani, you know you have arrived in a mass producer of wines. It's not as charming as Korbel or even Buena Vista. But it is a nice place to stop if you are in the neighborhood and want to find a nice, budget-priced, widely-distributed wine.
Posted by: Brian Vertz | November 06, 2006 at 06:39 PM