Bruce Patch Sonoma County Zinfandel 2013
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Bruce and Andrea moved to the Russian River Valley in the late 1990s, and Bruce transitioned his sales and marketing background into a successful distribution business representing small independent wineries in Sonoma County. This would lead to a passion for and knowledge of winemaking that would inspire the creation of his own wine — Wine Guerrilla. Over the course of a decade, he built the brand and won accolades for his line-up of stellar single vineyard zinfandels.
Today, Bruce brings this history and experience to his most promising venture yet. Bruce Patch Wines sources the best grapes from throughout Sonoma County, including many vineyards like Clopton, Harris-Kratka and Carreras Ranch with whom Bruce has long relationships and a history of producing acclaimed wines. In addition to his trademark lush, full zinfandels, Bruce is also producing red blends and exquisite expressions of unique grapes like primitivo and Malbec.
As Elvis Presley said, “If you like it, if you feel it, you can't help but move to it.”
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel has secured its title as the darling of California vintners by adapting well to the state's diverse microclimates and landscapes. Born in Croatia, it later made its way to southern Italy where it was named Primitivo. Fortunately, the imperial nursery of Vienna catalogued specimens of the vine, and it later made its way to New England in 1829. Parading the true American spirit, Zinfandel found a new home in California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Somm Secret—California's ancient vines of Zinfandel are those that survived the neglect of Prohibition; today these vines produce the most concentrated, ethereal and complex examples.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.