Our 2010 Zinfandel is a pure expression of Sonoma County. We blend largely from our Alexander Valley ranch with doses of both Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley to give the final wine a broad spectrum. The nose is full of bright red and black raspberries followed by the complexity of rhubarb, briar patch, pepperry spice, and dried herbs. The mouthfeel is rich and full with focused acidity and soft tannins bringing it to a clean and balanced finish.

Grape Source: Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valleys
Color: Dark Ruby
Oak aging: 16 months French Oak
Aging potential: 5-10 years

Appellation:

Angeli Cuvee is a proprietary blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Carignane that we’ve been making since the first vintages that we grew fruit from our Alexander Valley ranch and home. The wine is named for the family who previously owned our ranch for 104 years.

The 2009 vintage gave us an incredibly rich and complex wine. The nose is dense and dark with loads of blackberry, graphite, tobacco, and lavender. The secondary flavors will continue to evolve with some time, and they keep layering out while in the glass. The opaque dark ruby purple color is a great indication of what comes on the mouth: a rich, thick, and broad palate coating structure matched with a nonstop density of flavor and texture. The finish lasts and lasts with both soft tannin and acidity.

Grape Source: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
Color: Dark Ruby
Oak aging: 24 months, primarily French oak
Aging potential: up to 15 years

We have been making Old Vine Red, our proprietary Zinfandel based blend, for over three decades now. We always feel like we hit amazing consistency in the blend, but it rarely falls right into place like it did with Lot 57. Aromas of juicy and bright red fruits (cherries, raspberries, etc) are packed next to fresh plums and black currants. Some complex layers of licorice, sweet earth, and spice follow in turn. A full and rich mouth feel leads to soft textured tannins and lingering fruit flavors. The acidity picks up just enough to bring the finsh home in a concise and clean fashion.

Grape Source: Primarily Sonoma and Mendocino Counties
Color: Dark Ruby Purple
Aging Potential: Best within 1-3 years

Appellation: California
Winemakers: Chris & Scot Bilbro
Released: June 2011

The deep color of our 2008 Petite Sirah displays the degree of concentration in this wine; it is dense and lush while retaining great balance. The aromas of dark fruit are complimented by hints of cocoa, charcoal, dried herbs, and minerals. The round mouth shows blueberry and currant flavors. The finish has notes of earth and spiced
chocolate along with rich layered tannins and firm acidity. As usual, our Petite Sirah is so approachable that it is hard to set aside, but for those who can wait, it should develop for at least 15 years.

Grape Source: Alexander Valley (Sonoma County)
Color: Dark Ruby
Oak Aging: 12 months French Oak
Aging Potential: 5-8 years

Appellation: Alexander Valley
Winemakers: Chris & Scot Bilbro
Released: June 2011

Our 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is full bodied with a touch of elegance. The nose is classic Cabernet with rich black currant, cassis, and dark cherry fruit aromas. In the background mild oak and spice mix with a hint of sweet menthol-like herbs. Prominent, bright black currant flavors are balanced by lively acidity and firm, lasting tannins to create a textured, mouth coating finish. This is a big wine that will
last for at least 10 years yet is supple enough to enjoy now.

Grape Source: Alexander Valley, (Sonoma County)
Color: Dark Ruby
Oak Aging: 16 months French Oak
Aging Potential: 5-10 years

Marietta Cellars is located just outside the little town of Geyserville in one of California’s premier wine growing regions, Sonoma County. Owner and winemaker Chris Bilbro initially founded Marietta Cellars in 1978 in a rented cow barn in the Dry Creek Valley. The winery is named after Chris’ great aunt.  Marietta was a tough Italian immigrant who was known for always having a stock pot on the stove, a bountiful garden, and a plentiful table. Not having any children of her own, she took Chris under her wing and taught him how to cook by hand and taste which is a direct correlation to Chris’ winemaking style.

Since his first release in 1978, Chris’ greatest accomplishment and passion has been his four sons. His second greatest accomplishment has been his ability to produce a product of incredible consistency both in quality and price with relatively complete anonymity.

The wines of Marietta Cellars are a personification of Chris Bilbro, his outlook on life, and his general lifestyle. No wine is complete on its own; pleasurable pursuits such as cooking, fishing, hunting, gardening, and entertaining add balance to wine, as they do to life.

To this day, no wine gets bottled without Chris’ approval and no vineyard row goes more than a week without Chris riding his ATV through it.

Handling the majority of the day to day operations are Chris’ three eldest sons, Jake, Scot, and Sam. Brothers by blood and best friends by choice, Jake, Scot, and Sam are all dedicated to the dream that Chris started in 1978.