WINE LIBRARY
2020 GERTRUDE
TASTING NOTES
The nose jumps out with a blast of boysenberry with a hint of bacon fat. On the palate the big, black fruit fills the mouth. Tannins and acidity have softened, taking a back seat to the fruit but add to the rich mouthfeel and long finish.
BLEND:93% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Syrah, Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA 7% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Petite Sirah Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA
ALCOHOL: 14.0 Alcohol By Volume
RESIDUAL SUAGR: N/A
CASES PRODUCED: 75 cases
BACKGROUND
In 1898, Gertrude Lewis Gates founded a large cattle ranch, branded “Delta Alpha Ranch.” The Reserve Syrah represents her independence and elegance. Comprised of free-run barrels of Syrah, and aged for 18 months, Gertrude reflects the uniquely Arizonan heritage and terroir of D.A.Ranch Estate.
VINTAGE
The 2020 vintage was very dry all year. There were statewide burn bans in place by April and there was very little to no moisture during the usual monsoon season, which made the season somewhat challenging. The challenges of a dry year include establishing a sufficient irrigation regime and dealing with wildlife who are similarly challenged in their own lives and turn to grapes for food and moisture. Harvest took place in early September.
— Elliot Stephens, Vineyard Manager
RECOMMENDED FOOD PAIRINGS
Drink this wine with steak or game meats with a rich demi-glace or fruit-influence sauce, such as a blueberry demi-glace or gastrique. The richness of the 2020 Gertrude lends itself to slight heat and baking spices as you might find in bbq meats. Drink through 2028.
— Kate LeNormand, Tasting Room Manager
2020 NESTORS TALE
TASTING NOTES
The nose of pencil shavings and black currant, with a hint of bell pepper evokes a left bank Bordeaux. On the palate, tannins present themselves, balancing out a big fruit note and ending up with a very balanced mouthful of tannin, fruit and acidity that coats the mouth, can be felt on the front teeth well after swallowed.
BLEND:80% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA 20% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Petite Sirah Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA
ALCOHOL: 13.7 Alcohol By Volume
RESIDUAL SUGAR: N/A
CASES PRODUCED: 75 cases
BACKGROUND
In 2005, Nestor the Donkey found his home at the D.A.Ranch as a Christmas wish for Jessica, one of the four original Petznick grandchildren. Nestor’s Tale represents select free-run barrels of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 18 months, giving an elegant, polished finish to the remarkable Arizona fruit of D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards.
VINTAGE
The 2020 vintage was very dry all year. There were statewide burn bans in place by April and there was very little to no moisture during the usual monsoon season, which made the season somewhat challenging. The challenges of a dry year include establishing a sufficient irrigation regime and dealing with wildlife who are similarly challenged in their own lives and turn to grapes for food and moisture. Harvest took place in early September.
— Elliot Stephens, Vineyard Manager
RECOMMENDED FOOD PAIRINGS
This wine can pair a range of meat and cheese dishes but will shine with smoked meats and pork chile verde, charcuterie and aged cheeses. Drink through 2028.
— Kate LeNormand, Tasting Room Manager
2020 WILLOW WHITE
TASTING NOTES
The nose is very floral with white flowers and honey notes. On the palate there is a burst of citrus and underripe pear that hits the middle of the mouth. The wine continues with more of the same with a lengthy finish.
BLEND:80% Seyval Blanc from D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards, Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA 20% Ugni Blanc from Flying Leap Vineyards, Cochise County, Willcox AVA
ALCOHOL: 13.6% Alcohol By Volume
RESIDUAL SUGAR: N/A
CASES PRODUCED: 485 cases
BACKGROUND
Willow White is a dry white wine made primarily from Seyval Blanc and is named for the beautiful willow tree that graces the front of the Lodge, next to the pond and hearkens to the delicacy and depth of our beloved white wine. Seyval Blanc is a grape that is a hybrid grape of American Native and European varieties. Interestingly, it is usually found in cool-climate locations such as Canada, New England, US, and Southern England, (where is it often made into sparkling wine). We whole-cluster press the grapes, ferment and age in stainless steel to preserve the fresh, floral aspects of the grapes.
VINTAGE
The 2021 vintage started out with average winter moisture. This was followed by a very dry spring which led to fires in Cornville and on the Rim above Sedona, resulting in a smoky vintage, even though the fires were mostly before veraison. Happily, a lively monsoon season helped to extinguish the fires, adding lots of moisture to the vines through ripening. Harvest took place at the end of August and most of September. Yields were good despite the excess moisture.
— Elliot Stephens, Vineyard Manager
RECOMMENDED FOOD PAIRINGS
This wine is delicious and crisp on its own but has enough acidity and body to pair with creamy dishes, light pastas, roasted chicken and grilled fish or shellfish. Drink through 2025.
— Kate LeNormand, Tasting Room Manager
2021 MAE ROSÉ
TASTING NOTES
The nose has fresh strawberry and hints of roses. This dry rose was made very much in the European tradition with no residual sugar. The palate follows the nose and adds tart red currant on the finish.
BLEND:97% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Tannat Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA 3% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Petite Sirah Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA
ALCOHOL: 13.0 Alcohol By Volume
RESIDUAL SUGAR: N/A
CASES PRODUCED: 285 cases
BACKGROUND
Our unique Mae Rosé is made primarily from the relatively rare Tannat grape grown on our property. Tannat is originally from the Southwest of France and has found its home at D.A.Ranch. Mae is named for the horse who used to live on our property. In order to keep things fresh, the grapes were pressed whole cluster, fermented dry in stainless steel for 20 days and then aged 6 months in stainless steel, filtered and bottled.
VINTAGE
The 2021 vintage started out with average winter moisture. This was followed by a very dry spring which led to fires in Cornville and on the Rim above Sedona, resulting in a smoky vintage, even though the fires were mostly before veraison. Happily, a lively monsoon season helped to extinguish the fires, adding lots of moisture to the vines through ripening. Harvest took place at the end of August and most of September. Yields were good despite the excess moisture.
— Elliot Stephens, Vineyard Manager
RECOMMENDED FOOD PAIRINGS
This wine is delicious and crisp with enough acidity and body to pair with slightly spicy dishes, smokey dishes and salty dishes (think smoked salmon with crème fraiche and capers), and is, of course, delightful all by itself! Drink through 2025.
2021 HOMESTEAD
TASTING NOTES
The nose has bright berry notes and a slight earthiness reminiscent of fresh loam. The palate has good acidity that keeps the mouth watering and helps draw out the finish of fresh raspberry and sour cherries.
BLEND:40% Sierra Bonita Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Cochise County, Willcox AVA 20% Carlson Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Cochise County, Willcox AVA 30% Cimarron Vineyard Tempranillo, Cochise County, Willcox AVA 10% Dos Amigos Vineyard Graciano, Cochise County, Willcox AVA
ALCOHOL: 13.2 Alcohol By Volume
RESIDUAL SUGAR: N/A
CASES PRODUCED: 465 cases
BACKGROUND
The Homestead is a light-bodied red blend that evokes the spirit that DA Ranch was founded in – both in 1880 and more recently, by the Petznick family. The Petznick family bought the property in 2002 as a family getaway.. To keep the fresh fruit aspect of this “everyday red” the fermented juice was aged 11 months in mostly neutral oak.
VINTAGE
The 2021 vintage started out with average winter moisture. This was followed by a very dry spring which led to fires in Cornville and on the Rim above Sedona, resulting in a smoky vintage, even though the fires were mostly before veraison. Happily, a lively monsoon season helped to extinguish the fires, adding lots of moisture to the vines through ripening. Harvest took place at the end of August and most of September. Yields were good despite the excess moisture.
— Elliot Stephens, Vineyard Manager
RECOMMENDED FOOD PAIRINGS
Serve this wine on its own, with charcuterie and cheese or alongside earthy stews like lentils and root vegetables, a baguette and some high-quality unsalted butter. Yum! Drink through 2026.
— Kate LeNormand, Tasting Room Manager
2021 RED BARN RED
TASTING NOTES
Both sour and Bing cherries waft up on the nose. The palate is also big on red fruit, has structured acidity that reads like cranberry along with a hint of tannin in the finish.
BLEND:27% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Petite Sirah, Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA 27% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Tempranillo, Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA 24% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Syrah, Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA 22% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA
ALCOHOL: 13.7 Alcohol By Volume
RESIDUAL SUGAR: N/A
CASES PRODUCED: 410 cases
BACKGROUND
The Red Barn is named after our 100-year-old red barn on the estate. A perennial favorite, the Red Barn Red is a great “weeknight wine” which can go with a variety of fare. The fermented juice sees some new French oak to complement the fruit without over powering it (for Lexie – 30% new French, 70% neutral oak).
VINTAGE
The 2021 vintage started out with average winter moisture. This was followed by a very dry spring which led to fires in Cornville and on the Rim above Sedona, resulting in a smoky vintage, even though the fires were mostly before veraison. Happily, a lively monsoon season helped to extinguish the fires, adding lots of moisture to the vines through ripening. Harvest took place at the end of August and most of September. Yields were good despite the excess moisture.
— Elliot Stephens, Vineyard Manager
RECOMMENDED FOOD PAIRINGS
Red Barn is delicious on its own but will happily sidle up to any meat and cheese tray, roasted chicken or pork with a cranberry/cherry relish. Drink through 2027.
— Kate LeNormand, Tasting Room Manager
2021 12 DOG
TASTING NOTES
On the nose the fruit comes through with dark berry with notes of baking spice and a hint of leather. In the mouth the fruit leads with tannins showing on the midpalate. The finish lingers with baking spice, blackberries and a touch of cinnamon.
BLEND:95% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Tempranillo Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA 3% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Syrah Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA 2% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Petite Sirah Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA
ALCOHOL: 13.9 Alcohol By Volume
RESIDUAL SUGAR: N/A
CASES PRODUCED:74 cases
BACKGROUND
Buddy, Blue, Greta, Sammy, Casey, Jackson, Wallace, Beau, Ana, Hank, Tuna, and Sadie. Each family dog brings a new layer of comfort and love. We’ve extended that love to our Reserve Tempranillo fruit, aged for 18 months. Hungarian and American oak barrels add depth and richness to this Arizona Tempranillo from D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards.
VINTAGE
The 2021 vintage started out with average winter moisture. This was followed by a very dry spring which led to fires in Cornville and on the Rim above Sedona, resulting in a smoky vintage, even though the fires were mostly before veraison. Happily, a lively monsoon season helped to extinguish the fires, adding lots of moisture to the vines through ripening. Harvest took place at the end of August and most of September. Yields were good despite the excess moisture.
— Elliot Stephens, Vineyard Manager
RECOMMENDED FOOD PAIRINGS
Lighter cured meats like prosciutto, manchego cheese and lightly influenced meat dishes like pasta carbonara or pizza with sweet Italian sausage. Drink through 2030.
— Kate LeNormand, Tasting Room Manager
2021 GENERATIONS
TASTING NOTES
This is one of the few grapes that really evokes blueberries, rather than all the other berries of the world. Imagine blueberry pie, right from the oven with some fruit bubbling over the crust and browning a bit. Swirl your glass and inhale deeply and you will get all the blueberry and baking spice that this wine has to offer. On the palate, the blue fruit will persist into a long, enjoyable finish with a touch of tannin following the fruit.
BLEND:98% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Petite Sirah Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA 2% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Syrah Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA
ALCOHOL: 13.9 Alcohol By Volume
RESIDUAL SUGAR: N/A
CASES PRODUCED: 74 cases
BACKGROUND
Reminiscent of days with the Petznick children and grandchildren. The Reserve Petite Sirah, the result of select free-run barrels aged for 18 months, highlights northern Arizona’s unique terroir where Generations play. An elegant and polished finish showcases the remarkable fruit from D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards.
VINTAGE
The 2021 vintage started out with average winter moisture. This was followed by a very dry spring which led to fires in Cornville and on the Rim above Sedona, resulting in a smoky vintage, even though the fires were mostly before veraison. Happily, a lively monsoon season helped to extinguish the fires, adding lots of moisture to the vines through ripening. Harvest took place at the end of August and most of September. Yields were good despite the excess moisture.
— Elliot Stephens, Vineyard Manager
RECOMMENDED FOOD PAIRINGS
My favorite meat to have with a wine this rich and deep is an equally rich and deep grilled or roasted meat, such as rack of lamb, leg of lamb or even a rich, saucy braised short ribs in red wine, beef stock with herbs and black currant jam (I recommending St. Dalfour which has no added sugars and relies on grapes to sweeten their delicious spread). You won’t be disappointed! Of course, this sumptuous wine is great on it’s own or with aged cheeses and cured meats. Drink through 2030.
— Kate LeNormand, Tasting Room Manager
2022 MALVASIA BIANCA
TASTING NOTES
Extremely expressive nose of rose water and orange water blended. On the palate, add honeydew melon and citrus finish, but not tart citrus, more like a touch of Meyer lemon.
BLEND:100% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Malvasia Bianca, Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA
ALCOHOL: 13.9 Alcohol By Volume
RESIDUAL SUGAR: N/A
CASES PRODUCED: 75 cases
BACKGROUND
This unique and aromatic grape has been part of our repertoire since…one of the most ancient grape varieties, originated in Greece and a very prolific family of grape varieties now found all over the world. The grapes were pressed whole cluster (not destemmed), then fermented 22 days in stainless steel. Aged for 6 months in stainless steel, filtered then bottled.
VINTAGE
There was above average moisture through the winter in 2022, followed by a spring frost in mid-April, which affected the Syrah significantly and somewhat affected the other blocks. The summer brought heavy monsoon activity. Harvest was normal time timeframe again, with early to mid-September being the busiest. Yields were slightly lower than average except in the Syrah block, which was dramatically less than normal.
— Elliot Stephens, Vineyard Manager
RECOMMENDED FOOD PAIRINGS
Pair this wine with any challenging exotic dishes that include cumin seed, coriander, coconut milk and tamarind (think Indian food, Thai food, other Asian fare). Or…just dab a bit behind the ears before going on a romantic date! Drink through 2026.
— Kate LeNormand, Tasting Room Manager
2022 CAPRA
TASTING NOTES
Our boldest red of the Ranch offerings, the Capra offers the depth of the Tannat grape showing black fruit on the nose that carries into the mouth-filling palate of blackberry, black currant, ending in a long finish with hints of smoke.
BLEND:92% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Tannat, Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA 7% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Petite Sirah, Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA 1% D.A.Ranch Estate Vineyards Syrah, Yavapai County, Verde Valley AVA
ALCOHOL: 13.9 Alcohol By Volume
RESIDUAL SUGAR: N/A
CASES PRODUCED: 174 cases
BACKGROUND
Capra, the Latin word for goat, is named for our beloved goats who live on property and bring joy to all who love to watch them cavort in their pasture next to the parking lot. Tannat is originally from the Southwest of France, where it is known for big, bold and tannic wines and has found its home at D.A.Ranch. Aged 11 months in mostly neutral oak with some new French, 1 year old American and Hungarian.
VINTAGE
There was above average moisture through the winter in 2022, followed by a spring frost in mid-April, which affected the Syrah significantly and somewhat affected the other blocks. The summer brought heavy monsoon activity. Harvest was normal time timeframe again, with early to mid-September being the busiest. Yields were slightly lower than average except in the Syrah block, which was dramatically less than normal
— Elliot Stephens, Vineyard Manager
RECOMMENDED FOOD PAIRINGS
This wine calls out for equally bold flavors with meatiness and smokiness. It pairs well with beef brisket, pulled pork, aged cheeses and charcuterie. Drink through 2029.
— Kate LeNormand, Tasting Room Manager
