2026 has been a
historic harvest season! On August 4th, we began picking both Pinot
Noir and Old Vine Zinfandel - the earliest harvest ever in our vineyard.
Pinot Noir is always one of our earliest
grapes, but August 4th was early even by Pinot standards. What really surprised
us was the Zinfandel. In Dave’s 48 years of harvesting, Old Vine Zin has
typically come in around Labor Day, with the previous earliest pick happening
on August 19th, 2022. This year, the first Zin we tested on August 4th had
perfect sugar, acid, and pH levels, so we quickly got the rest of the fruit off
the vines and into the crush. With nearly 30 varieties to harvest, our season
can normally stretch over two months - but this year, everything came in early! Now the 2026 wines
are fermenting, aging, and beginning their journey toward bottling in early
2028. We can't wait to see what this historic vintage has in store!
October 6-Pk Add-On
Special!
25% discount on $132 club price
Limit 2 6-pks
Use Coupon Code: OCTCLUB25
Blends, Blends, Blends!
This fall, we’re featuring six of our most popular blends - including
two exciting new releases from the 2024 vintage! You’ll be among the first to
enjoy My Zin and Block 6 Zin - two distinctly different
expressions of Zinfandel, one featuring fruit from century-old vines and the
other from newer plantings on the estate. Then, travel beyond Zin with our Italiano
Style and Bordeaux-inspired Aca Modot. Rounding out the lineup are
two longtime favorites: Dave’s Cuvée and Block 4. Six incredible
blends, one delicious shipment!
WINERY SPOTLIGHT: THE FLORES FAMILY
For nearly 30 years, the Flores family
has been an essential part of the Coffaro winery family. Catarino Flores and his
cousin Salvador Gonzalez first joined us during the 1998 harvest and soon
became full-time members of our vineyard team. Today, Catarino serves as our
Vineyard Manager, while Salvador continues his work in both the vineyard and
cellar. Catarino’s wife, Martha, and their son, Jose, later joined the team as
well. After nearly 20 years of learning every aspect of the vineyard and
winery, Jose has become Dave’s right-hand man and Assistant Winemaker.
David
Coffaro Vineyard & Winery simply wouldn’t be the same without the hard
work, dedication, and friendship of the Flores family. We tip our hats- and
raise our glasses - to them!
RECIPE
Roasted Butternut
Squash & Farro with Brown Butter & Sage
(Recipe courtesy
of Van) Serves 4–6 as an entrée
2½ lbs butternut squash, peeled, seeded & cubed 2 cups farro 8 tbsp
butter 15–20 fresh sage leaves ¾ cup grated Parmesan 1 tbsp olive oil 1
tbsp fresh lemon juice Salt & freshly cracked black pepper
Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss squash with olive oil, salt and pepper, then roast
for 25–30 minutes, turning once, until tender and caramelized. Meanwhile, cook
farro in salted water according to package directions, about 25–30 minutes, and
drain well. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add sage, and cook
for 3–4 minutes until the butter is golden and nutty and the sage is crisp. Add
the farro and roasted squash and gently toss with the brown butter. Stir in
Parmesan and lemon juice, season to taste, and serve warm or at room
temperature, finished with Parmesan, crispy sage and cracked black pepper.
Wine Pairing: Aca Modot, Our
Bordeaux-Style Blend
The roasted squash brings out the wine’s ripe fruit, while the farro, Parmesan,
brown butter and sage complement the structure and savory character of our Aca
Modot.
Tasting Notes & Food Pairings by
Catalina & Van
2023 Dave’s Cuvée (10 month)
Second
crop of mostly Zinfandel,
Old-vine Zinfandel remains at the heart of this field
blend, while the 2023 vintage brings a little extra spice, brightness, and
personality to the glass. Picked a little later than usual, the wine shows
ripe, brambly raspberry and blackberry alongside notes of cherry jubilee,
cinnamon, and warm streusel. Hints of pie crust and caramelized sugar,
reminiscent of crème brulé, add a savory richness to the fruit. Aged for 10
months, the wine has a generous, rounded texture balanced by lively acidity and
a subtle tartness from some of the unique varieties included in this year’s
field blend. Gentle oak adds another layer without overshadowing the fruit. The
result is a wonderfully versatile wine that is easy to sip on its own but has
enough structure and character to hold its own at the dinner table.
Pairing Recommendations: Slow-roasted
pork shoulder with apples, herbs, and a savory pan sauce. For something sweet,
try it with dark chocolate bread pudding and bourbon caramel.
2024 Block 6 Zin (10
month)
75% Zinfandel / 25% Petite Sirah
This youthful blend is bright, energetic, and packed with
juicy fruit. The nose bursts with red cherry, followed by hints of cracked
pepper and baking spice. A few naturally shriveled raisins in the Zinfandel at
harvest add a deeper note of blackberry jam and ripe plum without taking away
from the wine’s lively character. The Petite Sirah brings darker fruit, color,
and a touch of structure to the palate. Aged for 10 months in oak, this is a
juicy, peppy, fruit-driven wine with a smooth finish and plenty of personality.
Pairing Recommendation: A
bacon cheeseburger- rich, juicy & casual in the best possible way!
2024 My Zin (16 month)
75% 120-year-old Zinfandel / 15% Petite Sirah / 10%
Cabernet
Deep cherry and blueberry fruit lead the way, with notes of
cherry skin and a touch of baking spice. On the palate, the wine has a
beautiful texture and mouthfeel, with just the right amount of chewiness that
gives the wine substance without feeling heavy. The Petite Sirah and Cabernet
Sauvignon add depth, structure, and a little extra grip, bringing balance to
the generous fruit of the old-vine Zinfandel. The result is a full-flavored,
beautifully textured wine with plenty of character, while still maintaining the
approachability that makes Zinfandel so enjoyable.
Pairing Recommendation: Smoked tri-tip
with rosemary, roasted garlic, and a savory pan sauce.
2023 Block 4 (10 month)
130-year-old vine field blend
The nose opens with ripe blackberry, raspberry jam, and
dark cherry, layered with warm baking spice, cracked black pepper, vanilla, and
a hint of toasted oak from 10 months in mostly American oak. On the palate,
juicy blackberry and ripe plum take center stage, followed by notes of black
cherry, blueberry, cocoa, and sweet spice. Subtle oak and a touch of pepper add
depth, while lively acidity keeps the rich fruit fresh and balanced. The finish
is lush, generous, and lingering, with layers of dark fruit and warm spice that
invite another sip. Big, beautifully balanced, and unmistakably Dry Creek
Valley at 15.4% alcohol.
Pairing Recommendation: Slow roasted BBQ ribs
and a football Sunday!
This beautifully layered blend brings together the
structure of Sagrantino, the dark richness of Lagrein, the bright acidity of
Barbera, and the savory character of Aglianico. The wine opens with aromas of
black cherry, dried herbs, leather, and warm spices. Rich flavors of dark
fruit, cocoa, and earth unfold, supported by firm tannins and a long, complex
finish. A powerful yet beautifully balanced wine with plenty of old-world
character.
Pairing Recommendation: Slow-braised lamb
shanks with rosemary, garlic, and creamy polenta
2023 Aca Modot (16 month)
29% Cab Franc / 22% Cabernet / 21% Merlot / 21% Petit
Verdot / 7% Malbec
Aca Modot brings together all five traditional Bordeaux
varieties. On the nose, the wine opens with dark berry fruit, black cherry,
plum, and subtle notes of cedar and spice. The palate is rich and layered, with
concentrated blackberry and dark cherry fruit balanced by firm but approachable
tannins. Hints of cocoa, baking spice, and a touch of earthiness add complexity
as the wine develops in the glass. Each variety brings something different to
the blend, but nothing dominates. The result is a wine with the structure and
balance of a classic Bordeaux blend, paired with the generous fruit and
character of a New World wine. Classically inspired, but unmistakably Coffaro.
Pairing Recommendation: Roasted
butternut squash and farro with brown butter and sage.