Winemaker Notes
This mountain grown fruit has the advantage of increased varietal character. The stressed vines produce a much smaller berry, creating a greater skin to juice ratio. With Zinfandel, it is especially significant as the Vines tend to normally produce large berries.
Professional Ratings
Founded by Tom Burgess in 1972, the winery has been continuously owned and operated by the Burgess Family until the acquisition by the Lawrence Family in 2020. Burgess Cellars was purchased in 1972 from Lee Stewart of the original Souverain Winery which was located on the hillsides of Howell Mountain. The historic site drew some of Napa Valley's leading winemakers, including Mike Grgich and Warren Winiarski. In 2020 Steve Burgess passed the mantle to Gaylon Lawrence, upholding a 150-year tradition of family ownership. The winemaking and vineyard management teams embarked on an ambitious project; leading the way in Regenerative and Promiscuous farming in the Napa Valley in order to preserve historic vineyards and ensure the health of these vines for generations to come.
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.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.