THE VINEYARD: All of Jeff's wines share a theme of fresh fruit reflective of the varietal flavors inherent in the grapes. Jeff selects grapes from vineyards that provide rich full flavors without loads of astringent tannins. "We work very hard to produce balanced wines. Wines that will age and become more complex with time, but wines that can also be enjoyed in their youth." Personally, Jeff prefers his wines to have zest and vibrant flavors. "Once I release a new vintage I rarely return to the previous year's wine. My father likes that; it means more of the older wines for him."

Our principal Jeff Runquist wine is the "Z" Zinfandel, an ultra premium varietal red table wine coming from a single vineyard in Amador County's Shenandoah Valley in the heart of California's gold rush country. The Zinfandel grapes used to produce "Z" come from the Massoni Ranch, which was planted at the turn of the century. Jeff also produces limited quantities of Sangiovese and Barbera from selected single vineyards in Amador County. In 2000, Jeff introduced Pinot Noir from the Sisters Vineyard in Carneros, Cabernet Sauvignon from the Colina Poca Vineyard in Paso Robles and Petite Sirah from the Salman Vineyard on Sutter Island in the Sacramento River Delta.

THE WINE: The 1448 has a big, deep, thick color one would expect from a wine that is 44% Petite Sirah. The aromas feature ripe and juicy black raspberries. The bouquet is full of sweet vanilla hazelnut oak. The flavors are big, rich, and balanced, with plenty of dense ripe black fruits, especially blackberry. The acidity is vibrant, and lends a zesty lift to the fruit flavors. The cooperage contributes to the rich body and luscious mouth-feel, without adding too much in the way of oak tannins. The tannins are mature and well integrated. The finish is soft, smooth, and lingering; a perfect introduction to the Jeff Runquist Wines 'House Style'. 44% Petite Sirah, 23% Zinfandel, 17% Petit Verdot, 6% Syrah, 4% Tempranillo, 3% Carignane, 2% Sangiovese and 1% Souzao

THE VINEYARD: The 2012 Oregon growing season was a return to normalcy after two wild, late years. A normal budbreak launched us into a spring that was classic Oregon – periods of warm sunny weather followed by cooler rainy weather. There was a touch of frost but budbreak was quick and uniform followed by a drawn out flowering. Poor weather during some periods of set reduced the crop through shatter. Pinot Gris was hit the hardest and we saw significant reduction in crop size for this variety. We enjoyed a true summer with very warm weather for the first time in two years and no rain through July, August and September. As the harvest started, the heat in the Rogue Valley and the Columbia Gorge pushed the vines into overdrive. Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris came in fast and furious starting in the third week of September. A bit of a cooling period followed and harvesting slowed down with picking beginning in the Willamette Valley around the first week of October. Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris came in hand in hand for the Willamette Valley with perfect ripeness and low yields. Chardonnay took the longest and we even saw a bit of rain that cooled things off as we mostly closed out the Willamette Valley harvest in the third week of October. All in all 2012 will be remembered as a classic Oregon vintage with great weather at harvest and low yields. The fruit was ripe, sound and very healthy. Little sorting was needed and the flavors were intense.

THE WINE: The A to Z Rose has bright and vibrant aromas of wild strawberries, red currants, peach, watermelon, cherries, raspberries and hibiscus with hints of rosemary and thyme. In the mouth, the juicy attack is a riot of red fruit and melon flavors that move into a mid-palate that is bright and rich all at once. The wine ultimately finishes crisp and clean with lingering flavors of strawberries and lavender. Pure enjoyment! A to Z Rose is made with intention from grape to glass.