California Sangiovese
California Sangiovese was first planted during the 1880s by Italian immigrants. Some of these old vines still exist, particularly in Sonoma County.
There are currently a few thousand acres of the grape planted in California. Too much sun exposure can be a problem in the Golden State. Green tannins can also be an issue.
Unfortunately, for many years the varietal was relegated to generic jug wine blends. As time passed, it became increasingly neglected. By the 1980s, Sangiovese vineyards were almost non-existent in California.
Seghesio Family Vineyards is credited with retaining the only known vines through these years. These vines were planted in 1910. Their Alexander Valley property has the oldest Sangiovese vines in the state which produce wines of considerable depth. Their ancestors were among the first to plant the varietal in the Golden State.
Piero Antinori of Tuscan fame established Atlas Peak Vineyards in 1986. His California versions tend to be rounder than his more austere Tuscan examples. California Sangiovese vineyards can be particularly vigorous and require careful canopy management. Fertile soils lead to unacceptably high yields of unripe fruit with harsh acidity and undeveloped tannins.
