WINEMAKING STYLE
"Zen
Zin" reflects Sunset Cellars' minimalist winemaking
style and respect for our grower's efforts in the vineyards.
Our winemaking objective is to express and refine the
flavors and characteristics created in the vineyard. All
grapes are hand-sorted before crushing. Wines are fermented
in half-ton containers and punched down by hand. Racking,
done when necessary, is as gentle as possible, and aging
features the restrained use of new oak, to enhance the
grapes' flavors and not overpower them.
Our
goal is to develop supple wines with ample fruit that
celebrate the distinguishing characteristics produced
in different regions and vineyards.
We
are commited to offering wines of quality and value. To
this end, we have focused our efforts on discovering and
maintaining grape sources which can support this premise.
Sunset
Cellars emphasizes red wine varieties including Barbera,
Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel, but we also make the occasional white.
ESTABLISHED
1997
FACILITIES
We
purchase all our grapes from carefully selected, well-managed
vineyards in various appellations. The wine is produced
and bottled at our Suisun Valley facility, and in Lake
County, where we rent space as an independent winery at
Mt. Konocti Growers in Kelseyville.
WINEMAKER
Douglas
and Katsuko Sparks. Warren Smith is Associate Winemaker and White Wine Czar; when pressed, he sometimes tells us what he plans for the white(s).
TOTAL
PRODUCTION CAPACITY
2,000
cases