Sunset Magazine Wine Club - Oct/Nov 2024 Issue 750 ml

2021 Foppiano Vineyards Zinfandel Russian River Valley

The Foppianos are one of the oldest continuously operating winemaking families in Sonoma, so when they get excited about a harvest, you should pay attention—and they were thrilled with this 2021. Crafted by one of the founding members of the Russian River Valley AVA, it’s made from all estate fruit off vines planted 60+ years ago on prime RRV benchlands. Big and powerful—and not shy at all at 14.9% ABV—it’s backed by 92-point praise from Wine Enthusiast.

2022 Folk Machine Pinot Noir Meeting of the Minds Vecino Vineyard Potter Valley

In Potter Valley, cell phones often fail, farms outnumber traffic lights, and wildlife rules the soundscape. The 2022 Folk Machine hails from this wild and far-flung haven for cool-climate Pinot Noir, where surrounding mountains trap blankets of cool air over the vineyards. According to the certified organic Vecino Vineyard’s long-time farmer, it “speaks to this place better than any wine made from here.”

2019 Le Vigne Winery Merlot Paso Robles

This Merlot is made by a Paso legend—a man Robert Parker called a “top-flight winemaker” and pulled from top blocks of Le Vigne’s two estate vineyards. 2019 will go down as an all-time Paso Robles vintage, and this seductive, bold red shows off the combination of the top-flight terroir in the legendary year.

2022 Bernardus Winery Chardonnay Monterey County

We’ve sold countless bottles of Bernardus Chardonnay, each one bearing the imprint of Burgundy-trained winemaker Dean DeKorth. But in all our years selling this nailed-on member-favorite, we’ve never been able to offer it for a price like this. Rich, supple, and luxurious, it has pedigree and quality to spare—the definition of a great value.

2019 OVIS Nero d' Avola High Valley Lake County

The Lake County AVA “produces some of the most distinctive wines in America,” according to Wine Enthusiast, and the OVIS Nero d’Avola is certainly distinct. From some of the only Nero d’Avola vines outside of Sicily—planted on high-elevation, wind-swept vineyards—it’s a full-throttle red with depth and complexity.

2023 La Sirena Rosato Amador County

Heidi Barrett is the “First Lady of Wine,” the “Wine Diva of Napa Valley,” and one of several winemaking icons who have set their sights on Amador County’s rugged, geologically diverse foothills. From the region’s lively, red-fruited Primitivo, she crafted a bright, well-balanced Rosato for her personal La Sirena label.