In 1843, the 14-year-old son of a Spanish soldier was given a grant of nearly 17,000 acres of land that lay across the hillsides between the Russian River and what is now called Dry Creek in northern Sonoma County. He farmed the land, raised cattle, and brought his family to live there. He called his land the "Tzabaco Rancho," and portions of the original ranch buildings still stand near our winery in the Dry Creek Valley. The origin of the name is unknown, but the name lives on in the wines of Rancho Zabaco.
Rancho Zabaco started making wines nearly 10 years ago, Zinfandel has continued to develop a hard core of enthusiasts, a group now on the verge of breaking out to a whole new level, as more and more wine lovers discover the range and subtlety of the varietal. The wines have evolved over the years, although my philosophy has stayed the same.
In 1843, the 14-year-old son of a Spanish soldier was given a grant of nearly 17,000 acres of land that lay across the hillsides between the Russian River and what is now called Dry Creek in northern Sonoma County. He farmed the land, raised cattle, and brought his family to live there. He called his land the "Tzabaco Rancho," and portions of the original ranch buildings still stand near our winery in the Dry Creek Valley. The origin of the name is unknown, but the name lives on in the wines of Rancho Zabaco.
