The Del Barba Vineyard is one of the oldest in all of east Contra Costa County, with some vines having been planted as far back as the 1870s! How did these vines survive the phylloxera outbreak in California? The soil. When you walk through the Del Barba vineyard you can't help but to be struck by how sandy the soil is. In fact, it's pure sand! Phylloxera can't survive in sandy soils, so the vines in this vineyard have remained, on their own roots, for longer than any person who planted them.

This Zinfandel is a great example of the varietal. The sandy soils bring out an aromatic lift that is captivating, reminding us of fresh cut strawberries, bright red raspberries, and a spicy undertone of black pepper. There is plenty of bright acidity preventing the wine from becoming overly "jammy," and placing it dead center of medium bodied. It's a great food wine, perfect with things from the grill, but also goes down pretty easily all on its own. And if you put a little chill on it, you might find yourself pounding it by the pool all summer long!

About the Winery

Check out this great interview from Revel Wine!

Julian and Sebastian make up the Erggelet Brothers. Their interest in wine was sparked while sipping leftover Riesling out of Grandfather Erggelet’s goblet as kids. After growing up in southern Germany and coming of age as oenophile dilettantes, they pursued degrees in Philosophy & Economics (Sebastian) and Medicine (Julian). As they moved along these career paths, the focus of their lives gradually shifted from sitting under fluorescent office lights to walking through the vineyards of the Rhine valley with Bertrand Russell in their back pockets—exploring the joys of farming, eating good food, and drinking great wines.

While Sebastian went back to school for viticulture & enology, Julian completed his medical degree. After that, they embarked on a journey around the globe to taste, experience, and assemble the taste buds necessary to make intriguing wine. The learning years saw them working their way through harvests, cellars, kitchens, and many bottles of wine in France, Switzerland, Australia, and Spain.

They came to California in 2014 with just enough savings to cover two months’ rent and buy a ‘well used’ Subaru. In 2015, after gaining invaluable experience at OVID and Seven Stones Winery in the Napa Valley, then Martin Estate in Rutherford and Hannah Nicole Winery in Brentwood, they started making their own wine. Sebastian is also the Associate Winemaker for Grgich Hills Estate in Rutherford, and Julian spends his days fixing tractors and farming his vineyard and orchard in Contra Costa County.