Gamba Vineyards and Winery

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707-542-5892 Fulton, CA 95439
United States

gambazin@msn.com
www.gambawinery.com
http://www.facebook.com/GambaWinery

Gamba Vineyards and Winery is a small, family owned vineyard and winery business in Sonoma County, California. The over century old 27.5 acre Gamba Estate Vineyard parcel rests on th Eastern edge of the beautiful Russian River Valley Appellation, on gently rolling benchland above the valley floor. Planted to Zinfandel in 1900, the Gamba Estate Vineyard consists primarily of Old Vine Zinfandel, as well as small separate blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon. With ideal Southern exposure, the vineyard is bathed in sunlight during the growing season. On average the yield is small, in part due to nature, but also by design-approximately one half ton, and occasionally up to one ton per acre is harvested, depending on the vigor of vineyard block and severity of pruning. The vines are organically dry farmed. The dry farming method relies solely on yearly rainwater to irrigate the vineyard. This method will generally decrease tonnage, however, in exchange, the remaining fruit clusters achieve a wonderful concentration of flavors. The vineyard has been farmed since its beginnings using the dry farming method, as well as other labor intensive, traditional methods. Each vine is cleared of ground cover at its base by hand. The Gamba's still own the original horse plows for discing rows, although now they employ the use of modern equipment to turn the soil. The vines are pruned, thinned and harvested by hand. Italian prune trees were planted years ago, and more recently lavender, to attract predatory insects to drive out unwanted pests. Roses were planted to give an early indication of powdery mildew that may develop early in the season. The Gamba family has used organic methods to counter any adversity faced in the vineyard, as it has been done since 1900. To this day, they do not use herbicides or any pesticides in the production of their winegrapes. The desirable soil in the vineyard is known in the area as "Huachica" loam, named after the original native inhabitants of the area the vineyard occupies. This soil is excellent for farming, with ideal ratios of sand, clay, stones and organic matter in the ancient volcanic mix, seemingly custom made by nature for winegrapes. Light in color with low to moderate water retention and good drainage, the soil is sprinkled with small stones, all making for desirable winegrape farming. The Russian River Appellation location not only provides the ideal soil composed of stoney ancient volcanic ash, but also an excellent overall climate for winegrapes. Warm days and cool nights, and light breezes from the Pacific, all have positive affects on the growing season. The day heating and nightime cooling cycle plays an important part of why Northern California is a world class wine producing region. The microclimate on the Eastern edge of the Russian River Valley, specifically where the Gamba Vineyard is located on the Fulton benchland, provides enough heat units to ripen the grapes, and enough natural cooling influences from the Pacific Ocean to allow for extended hang time, to provide additional concentration and optimal maturation for our winegrapes. The vineyard enjoys views North into the Russian River Valley. To the Northeast, stands the majestic Mount St. Helena. To the West, lie rolling vineyards to the foothills that are the home of the great Redwoods, with the Pacific Ocean beyond. On cloud free days, the top of Mount Tamalpais near the San Francisco Bay can be seen reaching skyward in the distant Marin County to the South.

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Gamba Zinfandel Russian River Valley (2007)

Winery:	Gamba Vineyards and Winery
Region:	USA » California » Sonoma County » Russian River Valley
Varietal:	Zinfandel
Type:	Table Wines

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Gregory Dal Piaz

Lots of oak on the meaty nose with deep, jammy black berry fruit that’s accented by vanilla, and a nice briary backdrop. This is big in the mouth with peppery aromatics and bright, pure blackberry fruit. There’s a nice lightness here though the bed of...

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Varietals Produced by Gamba Vineyards and Winery View all

Petite Sirah

History of the grape: Petite Syrah is often confused with its parent grape, Syrah, but it has been identified as a se...
Garganega

History of the grape: Garganega is a white varietal that has been grown in the region for centuries. It is a primary ...
Zinfandel

Parentage of the grape: Crljenak to Austria to America. In the 1970s, claims surfaced that the Italian Primitivo is l...
Corvina

History of the grape: There are 6th century written documents by Cassiodoro, a magistrate of Visigoth King Theodorus,...

People getting updates on Gamba Vineyards and Winery

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Gamba Vineyards and Winery on Snooth

December 2014

Gamba Zinfandel Family Ranches Russian River 2011

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by 240070anchca 240070
July 2014

Gamba Zinfandel Old Vine Gamba Estate Vineyard 2011

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by 240070anchca 240070
August 2012

Gamba "Old Vine-Estate" Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2009

Snoothrank:

A party for the palate. Big, rich, voluptuous, and hedonistic. Yet there is an underlying acidity providing good balance that highlights the dark berry, bramble fruit component. Ultimately satisfying and delicious. Read More

Wine review by alanb1108
April 2012

Gamba "Old Vine-Estate" Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2009

Snoothrank:

Pepper. Read More

Wine review by Local Vinacular
March 2012

In the end of the April me and my husband want to go to taste some wines. Also want to see SF.I would appreciate any advice-where to go, what wineries to visit etc. Where to stay.Thank you in advance! Read More

Forum post in the topic First time to Sonoma and Napa
March 2012

Gamba "Old Vine-Estate" Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2009

Snoothrank:

Interesting Zin. Fruity and almost jammy. It has a lot going on, leaning a little towards a dessert side. This was part of a wine tasting showdown. More on the tastings at http://dionyshius.blogspot.com/2012/03/showdown-saturday.html Read More

Wine review by shsim
March 2012

A couple of news items I was pondering today.First, Robert Parker came out with his ratings for the 2009 Bordeaux vintage. Ever the masochist, I decided to go look at some prices in the marketplace after the ratings were released. Some samplings:2009 Chatau Latour 100 points $21,500 a case2009 Chateau Marg... Read More

Forum post in the topic Utterly absurd
July 2011

Gamba Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine Estate Etched Bottled Premier 2008

Snoothrank:

Outstanding. Smooth, ripe berry flavors but not jammy. Nice long finish. Read More

Wine review by glharv
June 2011

Gamba "Old Vine-Estate" Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2009

Snoothrank:

Just tasted my first bottle of the 2009 Gamba. Nose of fresh crushed berries, cedar and spice. Full mid palate with ripe fruits and hint of dark chocolate and a hint toasty oak on the finish. Big wine, not for the faint of heart. Gamba consistently crafts wines with full flavors, balanced and yummy, and this effort delivers! Read More

Wine review by hilla
March 2011

Gamba Zinfandel Russian River Valley 2007

Snoothrank:

i loved this zin, to me this is how they should taste. lots of fruit and well balanced. Read More

Wine review by karat
Oct 19, 2009

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Oct 19, 2009

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