Ryan Schmaltz | Director of Production Ever since Ryan came to Bella as a harvest intern in 2012, his passion for zinfandel and Rhone varietals has been unwavering. With a PhD in organic chemistry, Ryan thoroughly understood the art of fermentation and was certainly overqualified as an intern. He soon took over Bella's laboratory as Enologist.
As enologist then Assistant Winemaker, Ryan meticulously carried out many experiments, from adjusting fermentation temperatures to varying grape skin contact time, learning more with each harvest and perfecting Bella's winemaking techniques. Ryan left Bella for a time and became winemaker at Trattore.
As enologist then Assistant Winemaker, Ryan meticulously carried out many experiments, from adjusting fermentation temperatures to varying grape skin contact time, learning more with each harvest and perfecting Bella's winemaking techniques. Ryan left Bella for a time and became winemaker at Trattore.
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Vineyards
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Lily Hill Estate | Lily Hill Estate is our amazing old vine zinfandel vineyard in the heart of the Dry Creek Valley and is also home to our winery. Lily Hill is where our winery is located and where Italian immigrant Adamo Micheli and his young son, Angelo, planted the first vines over 100 years ago in 1915.
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This giant wine offers serious meaty, peppery aromas and absolutely mouthfilling blackberry and grilled beef flavors that are wrapped in firm tannins. Mineral and metallic accents compete for attention with wood smoke and black pepper. Best through 2027. This bold and ripe-tasting wine feels layered and creamy, and packs plenty of blackberry and raspberry flavors on a full body.
The Juice - Bella Blog
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We look forward to sharing behind-the scenes stories that are near and dear to our hearts. With the release of our brand-new wine The Sailor + the Cow zinfandel, we want to share the incredible history behind the making of this tribute to Dry Creek Valley. Combining fruit from the land once owned by Captain Mervin and Maja Staehr with grapes farmed by the Rafanelli family, we celebrate the lives that came before us.
Wine Club
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Wine Club Inquiries: Please email us at wineclub@bellawinery.com or call (707) 473-9171 if you have questions about your membership or wine club order. We are working very hard to get back to you as soon as we can. We thank you so much for your support!
Our Friends of Bella automatically receive four bottles each in August, October and November and three bottles each in February, March and May of soon to be released Bella wines, library release selections or specially crafted member only wines.Each shipment includes updates on our stories and happenings, as well as the winemaker notes for each wine.
Our Friends of Bella automatically receive four bottles each in August, October and November and three bottles each in February, March and May of soon to be released Bella wines, library release selections or specially crafted member only wines.Each shipment includes updates on our stories and happenings, as well as the winemaker notes for each wine.
Experience
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Join us for a seated wine tasting at Bella! Enjoy a flight of delightful wines underground in the magical wine caves or take advantage of the many sunny days granted us and taste at your private table in the Bella Backyard overlooking Lily Hill. Take a trip through the magical depths of the wine caves while tasting the BEST of Bella.
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