We’ve recently kicked off our virtual tastings so we can still take you on tours of our favorite vineyards, and it’s been so much fun! If you haven’t had a chance to tune in, here’s a quick rundown of our virtual day trips:
This week, we’re really excited to be chatting with Bob Biale, the owner of the iconic Robert Biale Vineyard in Napa. This vineyard has become the standard for the California Zinfandel and Petite Syrah, and has helped to bring the Zin back to life in America.
Dave Pramuk and Bob Biale were both born and raised in the Napa Valley, and have each done their time working in the wine industry from seasonal harvesters to sales and production. Together with Bob’s father, Aldo Biale, they launched the winery in 1991, although their family has been producing wine since the 1940’s. Customers would call the family home looking for a “black chicken,” a bootleg jug of wine they could purchase through an underground system. To this day, the vineyard’s flagship bottle is the Black Chicken Zinfandel – but you don’t have to call in with a code word to get it!
The Black Chicken is mostly sourced from the Oak Knoll AVA, one of Napa Valley’s newest appellations, of which Dave Pramuk is on the board. The region is known for growing ripe and lusciously aromatic grapes, which are perfect for their world-famous Zinfandel. In a bottle of this beautiful wine, you’ll get a nose of dark cherries and raspberries, with a hint of cinnamon and dry herbs, plus a lovely hint of toasted oak.
If you are a fan of the Napa Zins and Petite Syrahs, you’ll want to try something from the Robert Biale Vineyard. Grab yourself a bottle of the Black Chicken, of course, and while you’re at it, check out Bob Biale’s own story of how the name came to be!
And don’t forget to register for our virtual tasting on May 7th at 5:00pm EST with Mr. Biale himself!
