Gallo of Sonoma Barelli Creek Vineyard Barbera 1999
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First planted in the late 1800's by Italian immigrants, this vineyard's unique combination of climate and soils is ideally suited for producing the robust and complex wine grape varieties of our ancestral home in Piedmont, Italy.
The finish of this wine is medium bodied with a rich mouthfeel; aromas and flavors of ripe, dark skinned fruits and berries; hints of vanilla, oak, and spice.
Alcohol Level: 13.4%
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2000-
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Gallo of Sonoma wines represent the best of what Sonoma County has to offer. They are crafted with pride by Matt and Gina Gallo, Third Generation Family Winemakers in Sonoma County, California's premier winegrowing region.
50-50 Give-Back Plan
More than just a caretaker of the vines, Julio Gallo believed that his family had an obligation to protect the land by planting vineyards in a way that would preserve the local environment. His first step in accomplishing this task was to set aside as wildlife habitat one acre of property for every acre planted to vineyard in Sonoma County. Today, Julio's grandson, Matt, continues this 50-50 Give-Back Plan, managing a 6,000 acre property portfolio that balances 3,000 acres of planted vineyard with 3,000 acres of natural habitat.
Friendly and approachable, Barbera produces wines in a wide range of styles, from youthful, fresh and fruity to serious, structured and age-worthy. Piedmont is the most famous source of Barbera; those from Asti and Alba garner the most praise. Barbera actually can adapt to many climates and enjoys success in some New World regions. Somm Secret—In the past it wasn’t common or even accepted to age Barbera in oak but today both styles—oaked and unoaked—abound and in fact most Piedmontese producers today produce both styles.
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.