The Robert Biale Vineyards 2022 vintage is a lineup that honors tradition, innovation, and the essence of Napa Valley’s finest vineyards. These wines showcase the unique character of each vineyard– a true reflection of craftsmanship and heritage.
2022 Aldo’s Vineyard Zinfandel
Style and Substance
This is where it all began—the signature vineyard for Robert Biale Vineyards—in one of the most unlikely locations you could imagine, considering that it is hidden among the neighborhoods of the city of Napa!
This is the oldest vineyard in Napa Valley’s Oak Knoll Appellation—planted in 1937.
We owe its existence to Cristina Biale, “Nonna”, who acquired it through an old school Napa land swap deal, and Aldo Biale, Nonna’s son, who nurtured and protected the vines through an era of a rapidly changing Napa Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay became dominant varieties during the 1970s, but Aldo stuck with the variety he knew and counted on—Zinfandel. In addition to walnuts, prunes, and eggs, Zinfandel was the Biales’ crop of choice and the grapes were typically sold each harvest to the Cooperative winery and other large Napa Valley wineries of the era.
In 1991, we crushed and bottled 415 cases of our first wine under the Robert Biale Vineyards, “Aldo’s Vineyard” label, and word spread among customers, stores, and sommeliers about a new style of Zinfandel that established a new standard in the whole category. All at once, the elegant, plush, zesty, vibrant, nuanced, and superbly balanced Aldo’s Vineyard Zinfandel was a sublime Zinfandel experience like no other.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Abundant aromas of blackberry, raspberry, plum, toffee, and pastry pour from the glass. The 2022 vintage displays the vineyard’s signature plush mouthfeel with generous notes of black cherry, cocoa powder, vanilla, and baking spices, guided by balanced acidity and framed by supple tannins.
Only 346 cases produced
2022 Beatty Ranch Zinfandel
Howell Mountain Zin? Pinch Me!
Napa Valley’s true greatness lies in its diversity. 16 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) are now identified throughout the entire county of Napa—each AVA recognized for geological traits such as soil types and weather patterns that contribute to its unique regional character. High in Napa Valley’s eastern Vaca Mountain range, one of these AVAs is defined solely by elevation—Howell Mountain.
First settled in the 1840s by Isaac Howell, winemakers such as Brun & Chaix and Keyes soon followed. Wines grown in this subregion drew world-wide attention to Napa Valley in the 1880s for red wines that won top awards in prestigious international competitions. A century later in 1983, Howell Mountain because of its uniqueness became distinguished as the first sub AVA within the Napa Valley.
Starting at an altitude of 1,800 ft. above sea level, Beatty Ranch atop Howell Mountain is uniquely positioned just above the Pacific Ocean’s marine layer of morning fog that encroaches along the length of the Napa Valley daily throughout the growing season. At this lofty, sunny location, summer daytime temperatures are cooler, nights are warmer, breezes are steady, and the vines’ moderate growing season more gradual. Soils formed on Howell Mountain by volcanic activity are extremely well-drained and the sunlight-soaked vines produce small berries of intense flavors and ripe tannins. Zinfandel thrives here as the conditions for this thinner-skinned variety are ideal. These influences produce concentrated red wines with deep color, chocolatey black fruit, mineral character, fine acidity, and balanced tannins. Howell Mountain red wines have a reputation among collectors for complexity, solid structure, and long life.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Aromas of blackberry, red plum, clove, chamomile, and vanilla on the nose. Flavors of black cherry, pomegranate, and sweet oak combine with balanced acidity to reveal the dense, yet lithe palate. Structured by fine grain tannins from its Howell Mountain lineage, the wine finishes with exceptional length.
Only 346 cases produced
2022 Black Chicken Zinfandel
Bootleg Worth the Risk
In the town of Napa in the 1940s, Aldo Biale was only a young teenager when his father died leaving him as an only child to work with his mother to farm walnuts, prunes, grapes, and other fruits and vegetables, and to tend to a large population of white leghorn chickens. Every day, friends and neighbors called in orders for these goods to Aldo’s home over the party line phone system.
In need of additional income, Aldo soon learned from an uncle how to make wine from his grapes, which he then sold to his neighbors on the down-low. If you wanted some of Aldo’s Zin, you needed the password: Black Chicken. After all, a nosy neighbor listening in on the party line could turn Aldo in for his clandestine business venture; and some probably did as government inspectors came more than once looking for bootleg wine.
For those in the know, an order over the party line phone went something like this: “Hey Aldo, I need a dozen eggs, a bag of prunes, and a Black Chicken.” On Friday, the eggs and prunes were delivered by Aldo in his 1940 Studebaker along with a gallon jug of Zin.
In 1999, when Robert Biale Vineyards started making a fully legal Zinfandel from the vineyards behind Aldo’s boyhood home, we adopted the old code name for a distinct bottling.
Today, we also source grapes from the winery property and other vineyards in the Oak Knoll District for the Black Chicken. “The Chicken” is the ultimate expression of Zinfandel from the cooler southern Napa Valley and is perhaps the most famous icon of Napa Valley Zinfandel in general.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Showing the influence of the breezy and fog-laced Oak Knoll District, the wine offers rich, plush fruit, delicate acidity, and a structure defined by well-ripened, fine-grained tannins. Layered notes of blackberry preserves, raspberry, violet, cocoa, anise, and cherry wood on the nose. Persistent and full on the palate with flavors of plum, black cherry, baking spices, dried herbs, and pomegranate. An expressive Zinfandel that, with proper cellaring, will continue to improve for the next 5-7 years.
2022 First Grade Zinfandel
Top of Its Class!
Our First Grade is a culmination of the hours of dedication by the Biale team and our growers spent over an entire season, captured as a singular blend—a reflection and statement of the vintage. Meticulously crafted barrel by barrel by Winemaker David Natali, First Grade exemplifies the beauty, refinement, and longevity of Zinfandel framed by the individuality of each vintage. Assembled from a selection of vineyards, the First Grade is purposefully blended to age gracefully for years to come.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: The 2022 vintage of First Grade was assembled from Stagecoach Vineyard®, Grande Vineyard, Aldo’s Vineyard, select blocks of our estate vineyard, along with a small touch of Petite Sirah from Palisades Vineyard.
Aromas of blackberry preserves, black cherry, cedar, mocha, and leather pour from the glass. Broad and rich on the palate with notes of black plum, bramble fruit, and toffee. Finely-grained tannins and a long and generous finish complete this benchmark of the 2022 vintage.
Only 148 cases produced
2022 Gaudi Carli Vineyard Barbera
Subtle Elegance
There is a hidden Barbera vineyard tucked away in the sunshine-filled northern tip of Calistoga, lovingly planted in 1920 by Italian immigrant, Gaudi Carli. His daughter Marie Torrigino stewarded the vineyard for decades after his passing, and now her son Steve tends to these noble old-vine Piemontese grapes diligently. This is the only remaining Barbera vineyard in the Napa Valley.
It is really no wonder why Gaudi Carli farmed Barbera. It is a vigorous plant and is resistant to fungus, but attention must be devoted to careful cropping and fruit development.
With its naturally high acidity and nominal tannins, Calistoga-grown Barbera pours deep, dark purple. Right out of the gate, wafting from the glass are black cherry and white pepper.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Prominent aromas of black cherry, chestnut, and white pepper in the glass. Medium bodied with notes of strawberry, fig, dried herbs, and violets on the palate. Persistent, juicy acidity and finely textured tannins lead to a mouthwatering finish.
Only 57 cases produced
2022 Grande Vineyard Zinfandel
On the Trail of Great Zin
One of the sweetest stories we know of in winemaking is that of the Grande Vineyard. Planted by Theodosio Grande in 1920, it later was farmed by his daughter Dorothy who was born the same year he planted it. Dorothy cared for the ranch and its vines for decades with her son Tony Rossi until her passing in 2022.
This family story reminds us of the nearby Biale family’s history: a mother and son team keeping the Zinfandel thriving and taking pride in the fruits of their labor.
Dorothy’s father was from near Venice and later settled on Napa’s Silverado Trail. Like any good Italian in those days, he planted Zinfandel vines, raised chickens, planted fruit and nut trees, and grew vegetables. Fresh eggs and dried prunes are still often available for purchase at the house. For decades, the grapes were sold to large wineries with a little wine for family consumption handcrafted, hand pressed, and hand bottled on the side. We love their perspective in that they refer to the oldest block as the “young ones”— the ranch having been planted to Zinfandel long before the Rossis arrived. Located on the south Silverado Trail near the town of Napa, this vineyard lies adjacent to two appellations, Oak Knoll and Coombsville, but is part of neither. If they come up with a Milliken Creek or Silverado Resort Appellation for Napa’s east side, it would fall in there. Cool, gently hilly and naturally air-conditioned, this low yield fruit ripens slowly and later and delivers gobs of character.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Exuberant aromas of black currants, fresh cherries, blackberry preserves, and bay leaves fill the glass. Rich and dense with notes of cardamom, anise, plum, and raspberry on the palate. Elegant tannins complete this balanced and layered old vine Zinfandel.
Only 314 cases produced
2022 Monte Rosso Vineyard® Zinfandel
Peak Flavors on Moon Mountain
Among California’s oldest and grandest vineyards, Monte Rosso Vineyard® sprawls across the western flank of the Mayacamas Mountains overlooking the entire Sonoma Valley— from Carneros to Russian River. Its reddish iron-laden soil inspired Louis M. Martini to name the old vineyard Monte Rosso Vineyard® (Red Mountain) when he purchased it after Prohibition in 1937.
Monte Rosso Vineyard® was first planted in the Wild West era of the 1860s, then replanted in the 1880s by the Goldstein family. Some of the ranch has been replanted but many of the old vines have been preserved by the Louis M. Martini and Gallo families since 1938. This vineyard produces phenomenal red wines that are cherished by winemakers and Zinfandel lovers for their lasting structure and deep character.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: A characteristically Moon Mountain note of chaparral underlies aromas of raspberry, orange peel, and blackberry preserves. Generous and rich on the palate with notes of baking spices, cedar, dried herbs, black cherry, punctuated by cranberry high tones. Balanced acidity and finely woven tannins extend the wine towards an elegant finish.
Only 197 cases produced
If you enjoy Monte Rosso Vineyard® Zinfandel, then try the Zinfandel selections from our friends in Sonoma County: Bedrock Wine Co., Turley Wine Cellars, and Louis M. Martini.
2022 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel
A Family’s Lasting Legacy on Highway 12
We are proud and honored to produce a classic Biale Zinfandel from one of the great historic vineyards in Sonoma Valley—and an American vineyard landmark in general—Pagani Ranch. When you take the scenic drive up Highway 12 toward Kenwood you can see Pagani to the west with its huge, awesome, head-trained vines that resemble elephant legs, and the iconic white farmhouse and barn built by Felice Pagani in 1906.
Felice Pagani, an immigrant from Fenegro, Italy, near the Swiss border, came to America in 1883 and in 1885 began taking care of two neighboring vineyards in Sonoma Valley that were planted mainly to Zinfandel around the same time: Monte RossoVineyard® and the Judge Cook Vineyard. Talk about hardscrabble farming. Those were the arduous days of farming by hand, horse and plow, and wielding the heavy hoes that Italians call the “zappa.”
Felice was soon able to purchase 25 acres of Judge Cook Vineyard, then sixteen years later another 30-acre vineyard adjoining his property. Ever since, the ranch which is planted also to Petite Sirah, Alicante, Lenoir, and Grand Noir has been the source of numerous legendary Zinfandels.The Pagani Ranch today is operated by Felice’s granddaughter, Norma Pagani Amantite, and her son, Dino Amantite, who take tremendous pride in their family’s legacy. They work daily together to perpetuate their acclaimed Zinfandel vineyards.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Warm, inviting aromas of raspberry, pepper, all-spice, sandalwood, and blueberry on the nose. On the palate, high tones of pomegranate emerge amongst flavors of strawberry preserves, baking spices, and thyme. Persistent on the finish with well-balanced acidity and delicate tannins.
Only 320 cases produced
If you enjoy Pagani Ranch Zinfandel, then try the Zinfandel selections from our friends in Sonoma County: Seghesio Family Vineyards, Carlisle Winery, and Ridge Vineyards.
2021 Petite Sirah Dessert Wine
Our love for all things Petite Sirah led us to add this dessert wine to our line-up 14 years ago. Our consulting enologist at the time, Kevin Powell, realized the opportunity to make an authentic Port-style wine with all the beautiful fruit he saw coming into the winery from vineyards such as Oberschulte, Carpy-Connolly Ranch, and our Home Ranch.
Made in bin-sized lots that are on a very precise treading schedule (think “I Love Lucy” stomping grapes!) over several weeks, this wine receives high-proof grape brandy to stop fermentation before it settles into neutral French oak barrels for 18 months.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Inky dark purple, with notes of bramble berry preserves, pie crust, dried figs, mocha, clove, and dark chocolate. Medium sweetness, firm structure, balanced fruit, acidity, and alcohol. This wine is made more in a vintage style as opposed to an aged tawny.This is a wine that drinks beautifully and shows 10-15 years aging potential.
Only 173 cases produced
2022 Royal Punishers Petite Sirah
Petite Sirah— an old California Classic is Gaining Renewed Interest in Cab-centric Napa Valley
The king lives. It surprises a lot of wine lovers to learn that until 1970 the main grape by acreage in Napa Valley was not Cabernet Sauvignon. Even more surprising is that the top spot in 1969 went to… Petite Sirah!
Petite Sirah is known to be synonymous with Duriff, the offspring of the Rhône Valley’s Syrah and Peloursin. Since its introduction to California at the turn of the last century, Petite Sirah has been prized by winemakers for its inky color, muscular build, deep black fruit, longevity, and ability to be blended with about every red variety—most often to “beef up” red wines that needed some added “oomph”.
In addition to being a Zinfandel house, we covet the small amounts of old vine Petite Sirah that exist in Napa Valley and have worked to reestablish it with new planting projects.
Biale is the only Napa Valley winery sourcing Petite Sirah from five Napa Valley AVAs: Oak Knoll, Chiles Valley, Calistoga, St. Helena, and Rutherford.
Because of its scarcity and somewhat confusing identity, Petite Sirah is misunderstood, but we share Robert Parker’s oft-repeated opinion that “Petite Sirah is the most underrated red variety for pleasure and longevity in California.”
Today there is a new wave of seriously good Petite Sirah on the scene being made by top winemakers, and it is time for wine lovers who like big red wines to check in!
And oh, the name Royal Punishers… not as dangerous as it sounds: rearrange the letters of Syrah and Peloursin and Voilà—there you have it.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Rich aromatics of black plum, mocha, tobacco leaf, dried fig, and blackberry on the nose. Round and supple on the palate with notes of nutmeg, cassis, clove, and leather on the palate. Elegant, fine-grained tannins frame this wonderfully complex Napa Valley Petite Sirah.
2022 Stagecoach Vineyard® Zinfandel
Growing the Classics on the Last Frontier
Robert Biale Vineyards is extremely proud of this project—the most significant planting of Zinfandel in Napa Valley in the modern era at the time, first planted in 1999 and then replanted in 2012. It remains the only Zinfandel planted at Stagecoach Vineyard®.
Stagecoach Vineyard® resembles Sonoma Valley’s legendary Monte Rosso Vineyard® in so many ways. The sunny 1200 ft. elevation, the sloping pitch of the terrain, the air movement, sunrise to sunset sunlight hours, red mineral-rich volcanic soil, adequate rainfall, even a spectacular mountaintop westward view—all are eerily similar. And not to be overlooked or avoided: rocks, rocks, rocks, and more rocks. The main difference is that it is above Napa Valley rather than Sonoma Valley.
Mountain-raised, and making the torturous struggle to slowly ripen grapes, the vines at Stagecoach Vineyard® are producing Zinfandels that would make our Zinfandel forefathers proud and that delight the avid fans of this legacy to America’s viticultural origins.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Greeted by the characteristic chaparral note of Stagecoach Vineyard®, the wine exhibits additional aromas of lavender, black plum, fresh fig, and black tea on the nose. Notes of black cherry, currants, cigar box, and cocoa on the palate. Balanced acidity with moderate tannins derived from the rocky soils from which it grows complete this mountain Zinfandel.
Only 444 cases produced
2023 Clementina Greco Bianco
Stand Up and Be Recognized
The first known record of Greco dates back to the 1st Century B.C. in Pompeii. A fresco from that era was found with the quote: “You are truly cold, Bytis, made of ice, if last night not even Greco wine could warm you up.” What was once planted on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius made its way farther south by way of the Pelasgians, an ancient people from Thessaly in Greece. Greco is now identified as one of the great white wines of Tufo, Campania, Italy.
The alluvial soils and moderate climate of the Oak Knoll District are ideal conditions for a wide variety of vinifera grapes. Complex, lean, and graceful, Greco wines are traditionally known to cellar extremely well (up to 10 years).
Until this vintage we’ve had to label this wine as White Table Wine because the variety wasn’t recognized by the U.S. government. But now it is so we proudly offer you this Greco Bianco made as a tribute to Clementina Biale (1929-2017), wife of Aldo Biale and matriarch of the Biale Family.
Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: A beautiful straw color with aromatics of nectarine, slate, and jasmine in the glass. The palate shows notes of citrus zest, honeysuckle, and apricot. Medium bodied, the wine’s mouthwatering brightness drives it to a fresh and delicious finish.
Only 404 cases produced