Winemaker Notes
Ammunition Wines & Whiskey, the award-winning spirits brand passionate about the American West, announced that critically acclaimed actress Kelly Reilly has joined the company as a new partner. Reilly joins a leadership team comprising CEO and Co-Founder Andy Wahl and Co-Founder Bill Kerr. In her new role, Reilly will further elevate the premium spirits and wine portfolio with a keen eye for creative and brand storytelling.
Best known for playing Beth Dutton in the hit Paramount TV series "Yellowstone" and numerous feature films, this marks the actress’ first brand partnership. Reilly instantly connected with Ammunition’s deep commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and honoring the land. As a creative visionary for the company, Reilly will lend her talents and passion to a new campaign, “Soil to Spirit,” which celebrates the journey from Earth to bottle and aims to reshape perceptions of women in whiskey. “I have always harbored a deep respect for the land and our natural resources,” says Reilly. “I was immediately drawn to Ammunition’s commitment to create a stand-out product with a brand identity rooted in the spirit of the American West. I’m thrilled to partner with Ammunition and contribute my experiences and perspectives.”
The story of Ammunition is a shared celebration of the values, work ethic and ingenuity upon which this nation was built. This is a story about the underdog and about being uncompromising on quality. About believing so much in what you're doing, that you're willing to swim upstream even in the swiftest of waters. Every drop they produce represents their uncommon (and admittedly, at times, obsessive) pursuit of perfection. It’s the result of long hours, hard work and sleepless nights. In the end, they know that nothing worth doing is ever easy. But make no mistake, they wouldn’t have it any other way.
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.