A. Rafanelli Wine Offer

Since the early 1900s, the Rafanelli family has been growing grapes and making wine in the Dry Creek Valley. Four generations later they are still keeping with the tradition, growing premium grapes and producing world-class wines. The winery is small, and being family-owned and operated, production is limited, with the focus on quality not quantity! The family prides themselves on producing consistently exceptional wines year in and year out, specializing in some of the finest Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

Alberto Rafanelli, an Italian immigrant, first founded A. Rafanelli Winery in the early 1900s. He settled in the Healdsburg area with his family and started growing grapes and making wine. After prohibition, Alberto’s son Americo showed interest in the family business and was soon carrying on the tradition. He moved the winery to the Dry Creek Valley in the early 1950s. It was here that he began to farm his Zinfandel and raise his family. Although it wasn’t until the early 70s that he came out with the present day label and started to sell his wine commercially.

Since then, Americo’s son David, and his wife Patty own and operate the business. The winery is now in its fourth generation of growing grapes and making wine in the heart of Dry Creek Valley.

All family-owned and operated A. Rafanelli specializes in Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The small rustic winery sits on a knoll overlooking the valley and is surrounded by some of its hillside vineyards. Production is 11,000 cases annually and there are approximately 85 acres planted to various varieties. Tasting and purchases are by appointment-only, and all the wine is sold direct. The family prides itself in quality not quantity and believes in traditional winemaking practices.

Rashell (Shelly), the eldest daughter, is the winemaker. She graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1996 with a degree in Agricultural Business. Since then she has taken over all production at the winery. With the help of her husband Craig Fehlman, who manages all of their vineyards, they hope to carry on the family tradition and keep improving the wines. Shelly’s sister, Stacy, is in charge of daily operations at the winery.

The Wines

2015 A. Rafanelli Cabernet Sauvignon - Dry Creek Valley
Tasting Notes
A flirtatious wine spiced up with rich elements of dark chocolate and caramelized oak. The dry red cherry and cassis flavors mingle effortlessly around the well-integrated tannins. A young and robust wine that has a wonderful future.

Harvest Notes
This was the third year of the drought and despite the lack of rains through the winter the spring showers gave the vines the boost they needed and quantity exceeded expectations. The summer was warm and humid so leaves were pulled and fruit thinned down to ensure even ripening. The heat at harvest guaranteed ripe flavors and good skin color.

2016 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel - Dry Creek Valley
Tasting Notes
This is not a quiet wine, it wants to be heard! The jammy fruit accented by vanilla and oak excites the senses. The inviting nose and well-balanced structure takes hold of your palate and won’t let go. A strong wine with backbone that will pair well with many foods and continue to develop over time to an even fuller expression of itself.

Harvest Notes
Another drought year provided us with another early Harvest with the first zin grapes picked on August 22nd. A year of worry for growers if the vines would set a crop especially dry farmed old vine Zin. Defying the odds tonnages came in above normal and the quality was exceptional.

2015 A. Rafanelli Estate Blend - Dry Creek Valley
Tasting Notes
This specially selected Bordeaux blend is deeply concentrated, balancing fruit expression with elaborate tannins and complimenting overtones of oak. Hints of mocha and plum show through the long lingering bold finish with promises of more to come.

Harvest Notes
The best fruit is sourced from the winery’s estate Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards. Ultimately three different Merlot blocks and three different Cabernet blocks, each planted on different sites with different rootstocks and varying in age were chosen to make this perfect blend.

The Offer

2015 Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon - $58

2015 Dry Creek Estate Blend - $68

2016 Dry Creek Zinfandel - $44

Jeff McCarthy, Wine Director 
[email protected]
707.569.2906