For over a century, the Seghesio family has played an integral role in the history and evolution of viticulture in Sonoma County. The winery was established in 1895 when Italian immigrant Edoardo Seghesio planted his first Zinfandel vines, in what is now Seghesio’s ‘Home Ranch’ vineyard in Alexander Valley. Edoardo and his wife Angela continued growing vines during the Prohibition years, becoming the only winery in the region to survive that era.

Seghesio’s reputation for world-class Zinfandel was cemented under the guidance of third-generation Pete Seghesio and his cousin Ted Seghesio in the 1980s. Owned by Crimson Wine Group since 2011 (who also own Pine Ridge in Napa Valley), today Seghesio remains focused on its family roots, with Ted's nephew Ned Neumiller in charge of viticulture. In recognition of Ned’s meticulous work in the vineyards, he was awarded the honour of “Sonoma County’s Outstanding Young Person in Agriculture" in 2018. Andy Robinson, who worked alongside Ted in the cellar for almost 20 years, is now Head Winemaker. Italian consultant winemaker Alberto Antonini has also helped improve the quality of the wines and his influence can be seen in the juicy, approachable style of Zinfandel that has become Seghesio’s hallmark.

Seghesio owns 120 hectares of sustainably farmed vineyards across several renowned appellations in Sonoma, including Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley. In addition to these outstanding sites, they have long-standing relationships with local growers from both Sonoma and Mendocino counties.

Sonoma County, located in Northern California, is one of the United States’ most diverse and respected wine regions. Its varied climate is shaped by both coastal influences and inland warmth, creating a patchwork of microclimates ideal for different grape varieties. The fog and cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean temper the heat of the interior valleys, allowing for a long, balanced growing season.

The soils are equally varied, ranging from volcanic and alluvial to loamy and sandy types, each contributing unique character to the wines. This diversity supports over sixty grape varieties, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thriving in the cooler Russian River Valley, while Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel excel in the warmer Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys.

Sonoma wines are celebrated for their balance and sense of place. Pinot Noirs are elegant, with bright red fruit, earthy undertones and refreshing acidity. Chardonnays range from crisp and mineral to rich and buttery, depending on winemaking style. Cabernet Sauvignons tend to be structured and complex, often with cassis, plum and cedar notes, while Zinfandels are bold, spicy and full of blackberry fruit.

Together, the climate, soils and grape diversity make Sonoma County a region of remarkable breadth, producing wines of distinctive character and flavour.

Zinfandel, known as Primitivo in Italy, is a dark-skinned grape variety with a complex, intertwined history. DNA analysis confirms that both are genetically identical, tracing their origin to the ancient Croatian variety Crljenak Kaštelanski. Despite shared genetics, the two expressions have developed distinct regional identities.

Zinfandel thrives in warm, dry climates, ripening unevenly—often resulting in clusters with both ripe and underripe berries. This trait can lead to wines with high alcohol and intense concentration when carefully managed. The grape is particularly associated with California, especially regions like Napa Valley, Sonoma’s Dry Creek Valley, and Paso Robles. In Italy, Primitivo is a key variety in Puglia, especially in the DOCs of Primitivo di Manduria and Gioia del Colle.

Zinfandel produces bold red wines with rich, jammy fruit flavours such as blackberry, plum, and raspberry, often accompanied by notes of black pepper, spice, and liquorice. In California, it ranges from fruit-forward, medium-bodied styles to robust, oak-aged wines with higher alcohol. It’s also used for off-dry White Zinfandel rosés. In Puglia, Primitivo tends to be darker, earthier, and more savoury.