California Barberas

[RAD]

As a few of you may recall, I've been on something of a Barbera kick lately, though my efforts have been (perhaps rightly so) focused on the native Italian producers.

Well, as luck would have it, I'm travelling to San Francisco on business next week, and my wife and I will be spending the weekend in Napa and Sonoma. We've already got a few visits lined up, but I'd like to visit one or two wineries that produce Barbera.

I've done the requisite search on Wine Spectator, and have come up with Preston (the search also yielded Barberas from Sebastiani and Pellegrini, but after a search on Alta Vista I've been unable to track those down).

Does anyone know of any good Barbera producers in Napa or Sonoma?

Thanks in advance--

RAD

[This message has been edited by RAD (edited 07-03-2000).]

[Innkeeper]

Preston is an excellent choice. Also in that neck of the woods is Fife in St Helena. Up in Ukiah, Monte Volpe makes a tooth enamel remover. Down in Santa Cruz, Bonny Doon is always an adventure. For a treasure trove of California Barbera, over in Amador you have Montevina, Easton, and Chamelon.

[RAD]

Thanks, Innkeeper!

What a welcome surprise--I've had Fife's cab before, and enjoyed it, so I'm more than happy to see what they have in terms of Barbera. Thanks again.

[winoweenie]

Shame on you IK, The oldest , and one of the premier producers of Barberas in our fair state of Calif is none other than Louie Martini, The forgotten, overlooked,producer of some of the best wine values offered each and every year. His cabs from the 60s are still alive and kicking, which re-inforces my theory that well-balanced wines age their Patooties-off while the big, chewie, showy wines are like old soldiers. Anywhos, I`ve had some marvelous old Barberas from Martini. Winoweenie y

[Catch 22]

There is a Pellegrini on Long Island. Since you didn't find one in CA, is it possible that they produce a Barbera right in NY?
After a little research:
www.Pellegriniwines.com - Sonoma
www.Pellegrinivineyards.com - Long Island
Of course, I didn't find a Barbera from either one, but you could e-mail them to be sure.

[This message has been edited by Catch 22 (edited 07-04-2000).]

[Kcwhippet]

Viansa makes a really nice Barbera. So does Montevina, but that's way across the state.