Rafanelli Estate

Four generations of Rafanellis have farmed West Dry Creek Road, and the estate around their winery still sells its Zinfandel the old way: mostly straight from the cellar door.

History

Alberto and Letizia Rafanelli, Italian immigrants, founded the family operation in the early 1900s near Healdsburg; their son Americo moved it to the present Dry Creek Valley site in the early 1950s and released the first wines under the A. Rafanelli label in the early 1970s. Third-generation David Rafanelli, a UC Davis viticulture graduate, built the modern reputation with his wife Patty, and the fourth generation runs it today: Shelly Rafanelli as head winemaker since 2000, her husband Craig Fehlman managing the vineyards, and her sister Stacy running operations.

The Site

The home ranch at 4685 West Dry Creek Road spreads across the valley's western benchland, with vine fields on gravelly loam terraces above the creek.

Vines and Blocks

Zinfandel leads with Cabernet Sauvignon on the higher bench, plus the Merlot and Petit Verdot that join the estate blend.

The Wines

A. Rafanelli Zinfandel is classic Dry Creek, brambly dark berry fruit, black pepper, and balance, made at about ten thousand cases mostly sold winery-direct, a waiting-list wine for decades running.