Fodor's Expert Review Seghesio Family Vineyards

After working nearly a decade at Italian Swiss Colony, then among California's largest wine producers, Edoardo Seghesio purchased land in 1895 and planted some of the Alexander Valley's earliest Zinfandel vines. Fruit from them goes into his namesake winery's highly rated Home Ranch Zinfandel, one of several Zins made here. Wines from Italian varietals are another emphasis, most notably Venom, from what the winery says is North America's oldest Sangiovese vineyard. The whites, Chardonnay and Vermentino, are exceptional, too. At appointment-only tastings, some of which take place on the broad lawn and patio fronting the property, you can learn about the winery's history, farming philosophy, and Sonoma County fruit sources.