Open: 11:00am - 4:30pm
Appt required? No
Last barlinwine.com visit: 2011
Directions:
View Sonoma in a larger map or Get Directions
Tasting:
Given how many times I've been to Zichichi and how much I enjoy the winery and tasting room, it's a bit of a shock that it didn't make it onto barlinewine.com sooner. But nevertheless, here it is in all its glory.
Zichichi (zuh-kee-kee) Family Vineyards is located in the northwest part of Dry Creek Valley, where Yoakim Bridge Road meets West Dry Creek Road. The winery was started by Steve Zichichi after a career in the medical profession gave him the means to follow his dream of opening a winery and raising his family in wine country. Each time I've visited, Steve is manning the tasting room, treating guests to samples of his delicious Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.
When you walk into the Zichichi tasting room, you come face-to-face with a large 3-sided bar. Tastings typically start here, where Steve will pour a taste of his Estate Zinfandel and Old Vine Zinfandel, as well as a Dry Creek Cabernet. On our most recent trip, we had the '08 Estate Zinfandel, '09 Old Vines, and the '07 Cab. The Cab and Estate Zin were good, but I thought the '09 Old Vine Zin was excellent. But the best part of the tasting was still yet to come.
After the initial tastes at the bar, Steve takes guests back into the production room to taste Zichichi Petite Sirah straight from the barrel. Any time I can get wine from barrel to wine thief to glass, I'm happy, but I am doubly happy when the wine is excellent. There was only one problem on our last visit:
"I'd taste the Petite Sirah for you, but we're already sold out," Steve somberly informed me. Nooooooo!
Of all of their wines, the Petite Sirah is the best, and one of the better Petites you'll find in Northern California. Steve has been selling it strictly as futures for a number of years now, but this was the first time that I got shut out of being able to order it for future shipment. We weren't completely without a barrel taste, though -- Steve had the '09 Estate Zin ready to try, and try we did. We also had the advantage of being there during crush, so we got to see the winery in action.
Despite missing out on the Petite Sirah, the visit to Zichichi was enjoyable as always. Steve is always a great host, the tasting is always feels personal even when its busy, and the wines are solid. This is definitely worth a stop for any lovers of Petite Sirah or Dry Creek Zinfandel.
Zichichi (zuh-kee-kee) Family Vineyards is located in the northwest part of Dry Creek Valley, where Yoakim Bridge Road meets West Dry Creek Road. The winery was started by Steve Zichichi after a career in the medical profession gave him the means to follow his dream of opening a winery and raising his family in wine country. Each time I've visited, Steve is manning the tasting room, treating guests to samples of his delicious Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.
When you walk into the Zichichi tasting room, you come face-to-face with a large 3-sided bar. Tastings typically start here, where Steve will pour a taste of his Estate Zinfandel and Old Vine Zinfandel, as well as a Dry Creek Cabernet. On our most recent trip, we had the '08 Estate Zinfandel, '09 Old Vines, and the '07 Cab. The Cab and Estate Zin were good, but I thought the '09 Old Vine Zin was excellent. But the best part of the tasting was still yet to come.
"I'd taste the Petite Sirah for you, but we're already sold out," Steve somberly informed me. Nooooooo!
Of all of their wines, the Petite Sirah is the best, and one of the better Petites you'll find in Northern California. Steve has been selling it strictly as futures for a number of years now, but this was the first time that I got shut out of being able to order it for future shipment. We weren't completely without a barrel taste, though -- Steve had the '09 Estate Zin ready to try, and try we did. We also had the advantage of being there during crush, so we got to see the winery in action.
Despite missing out on the Petite Sirah, the visit to Zichichi was enjoyable as always. Steve is always a great host, the tasting is always feels personal even when its busy, and the wines are solid. This is definitely worth a stop for any lovers of Petite Sirah or Dry Creek Zinfandel.
Recommended wine: The Petite Sirah is fantastic if you can get it, and the Old Vine Zin is also very good.
Ratings (out of 5):
 WINE | 4.50 |  TASTING ROOM | 4.75 |
 ATMOSPHERE | 4.75 |  VALUE | 4.75 |
 OVERALL | 4.69 | ||
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