We asked your Sonoma winemakers all the same question:
What is it about this place that made you fall in love?
Dry Creek Valley remains the premier place in the world to grow Zinfandel. It’s such a fun wine – and just like Sonoma, it always puts a smile on my face.”
Derek Rohlffs is known as the “heritage block winemaker” here for good reason. He cares for his vineyards meticulously and celebrates the distinct, special characteristics of every acre in his wines.
..and he has a truly special connection to the historic vineyards of Sonoma and Mendocino!
With Naked Wines funding, Derek champions family-owned vineyards and his own acreage to craft exclusive wines like Anderson Valley Pinot Noir and Zinfandel from Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley.
Along the way, Derek’s earned over 42,000 Angel reviews, countless 90+ ratings and awards including a Platinum Decanter Award for his Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. If there’s a man to know and a Zinfandel to watch, this is it.
Why Derek loves Dry Creek Valley the most:
“Sonoma County is much bigger than many people realize – it’s larger than the entire state of Rhode Island. That big footprint is dotted with tens of thousands of acres of vineyards…as well as the oldest wineries and vineyards in the state.
And Dry Creek Valley holds more than 9,000 vineyard acres – and no traffic lights. It’s been synonymous with Zinfandel since the 1800s. Some of the Old Vine Zinfandel blocks planted back then – that survived Prohibition – go into my Crowdpleazin.
Over a century later, DCV remains the premier place in the world to grow Zinfandel. This is such a fun wine – and just like Sonoma, it always puts a smile on my face.”
Follow Derek Rohlffs on Naked Wines