Owner(s) | Frank Sundin Egger, Ronita Sundin Egger |
Web site | www.cazaderowinery.com |
Link to this site |
Frank and Ronita Sundin Egger live in Fairfax, California and own the Cazadero Winery. The winery's own home office is located in Fairfax and the winery facility where Cazadero wine is produced is in Healdsburg.
A vineyard was planted at the Egger family ranch in the 1920s in Cazadero but was lost by the family at the end of the Depression. Five generations of Eggers summered in Cazadero. The Bei family now grows grapes near the original Egger Vineyard. Andrew Bei immigrated from Tuscany, Italy after the turn of the century and bought the original Bei Ranch in Cazadero in the 1920s, planting a small vineyard at the end of Bei Road. Grandson John planted a new vineyard in 1990 where the Bei family has farmed for 90 years. The grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay) for Cazadero wines were grown by John Bei who passed away in 2014.
The winery's winemaker is Pat Knittle and are produced at Merriam Vineyards in Healdsburg. Annual production is 300 cases.
2013 Cazadero Bei Ranch Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
14.2% alc., 150 cases, $30. Winery founder Frank Egger and grower John Bei work with winemaker Pat Knittel. Sourced from a rocky soiled ridge top vineyard located at 1,600 feet half way between Cazadero and Russian Gulch. Native yeast fermentation, barrel fermented and aged 12 months in French oak barrels. · Moderately light golden yellow color. Slight reduction with a rubber note upon opening. Aromas of buttered corn and toast show up over time. Richly appointed flavors of lemon, baked apple, creme brulee, caramel and buttery toast follow. Oak plays too great a role for me to fully enjoy the wine. Score: 87. Reviewed June 19, 2016 ARTICLE »