2018 Beekeeper Cellars Hidden Hillside Reserve Zinfandel

Beekeeper Cellars is a Sonoma County producer dedicated to Zinfandel. It is a collaboration between a pair of friends, Ian Blackburn and Clay Mauritson, both of whom have deep roots in the wine industry. Mauritson is a seventh generation Sonoma County grape grower, and Blackburn is a Los Angeles based wine marketing and education executive. Mauritson’s family was instrumental in creating the Rockpile AVA, which was formally designated in 2002. Rockpile is a 62-square-mile region in northwestern Sonoma County and several of Beekeeper’s vineyards are in the appellation. The partners idea is to craft premium Zinfandel with the same close attention to terroir and artisanal winemaking that have made California Cabernet Sauvignons among the world’s most admired wines. And they have succeeded. Beekeeper’s Zinfandels have earned compliments from reviewers. Robert Parker Jr. has described the wines as “full-throttle, pedal-to-the-medal Zinfandel,” and has written this: “Kudos to Beekeeper, as they seem to be on an impressive track of quality.”

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Zinfandel is a black-skinned grape, but 85% of the wine produced is made into a rosy “White Zinfandel.” Red Zin is far more complex and bold, while still being light-bodied. It grows in popularity as winemakers continue to experiment with new styles and blends.