Fetzer Winery

California Wine, Redwood County

About Fetzer Vineyard Wines

When the Fetzer family purchased a run-down ranch and vineyard in Redwood Valley in rural Mendocino County in 1958, they never dreamed that their name would someday grace the label of one of America’s best-selling wines. The Fetzer Winery had a simple plan when their small winery released its first wines ten years later in 1968: to produce quality wines at a price that allows them to be enjoyed at a wide variety of social occasions with family and friends. Over thirty years later, the path has taken the Fetzers and their winery through the winery’s history of stellar success and growth, groundbreaking education and training in food and wine, and cutting edge use of organic farming techniques and sustainable business practices, but the result is the same.

Fetzer Winery 2001 Merlot

Merlot is one of America’s most popular wines, and Fetzer Vineyards Eagle Peak Merlot is one of America’s best selling Merlots. Put simply, the wine is approachable and delicious. This vintage was slightly warmer than the previous harvest, allowing ample time for ripening and flavor development in the fruit. We blended Carignane into the Merlot to enhance the mouthfeel, acid, and body of the wine. A small amount of Syrah was added to create additional complexity in the flavors in the wine. The 2001 Fetzer Eagle Peak Merlot is dark purple in color. In the nose, ripe plum and blackberry jam meld with creamy vanilla aromas, a touch of tobacco, spicy clove and cinnamon, and toasted oak. The wine is rich in the mouth, with smooth tannins and rich, ripe plum and berry flavors. The finish is long and fruit-filled, with the perfect amount of toasty oak spice. This wine is perfect for enjoying upon release and for the next five years.

Fetzer Winery 2002 Gewürztraminer

Crisp acidity combined with delicate fruit flavors and a touch of residual sugar are the hallmarks of Fetzer Gewürztraminer. These qualities are complemented by forward floral aromas and richness attributed to the addition of a Muscat component to the blend. The wine is deep golden straw colored, with a nose of dried apricot, spicy peach, a touch of rose petal and honeysuckle. In the mouth, crisp green apple, honeyed apricot, and peach flavors meld with the traditional spicy flavors of Gewürztraminer. This medium-bodied wine’s off-dry style strikes the perfect balance between its sweetness and bright, crisp acidity. This fresh, soft wine is a true delight to sip, especially when paired with many ethnic food styles, such as Asian or Hispanic cuisines.

Fetzer Winery 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon

Our Fetzer Valley Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon is dark garnet in color, with a rich nose of blackberry, cassis, spice and vanilla aromas. On the palate, the wine offers ripe blackberry, chocolate, and cinnamon, enhanced with gentle vanilla flavors. Tannins are firm in this medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, with pleasant toastiness emerging on the finish. This wine is made to enjoy upon release, and will continue to develop and mature in the bottle for three to five years.

Fetzer Winery 2000 Syrah

2000 brought very good to excellent conditions for growing Syrah. Harvest was later than normal, which allowed extra time for the grapes to develop complexity on the vine. The long, cool growing season developed color, tannin and flavor. The 2000 Fetzer Valley Oaks Syrah is a rich, dark purple color. In the nose, ripe plum and blackberry jam aromas mingle with orange blossom, subtle anise, vanilla, and cola berry. On the palate the wine is richly textured, full of ripe plum and blackberry fruit with smoky oak, soft vanilla and round tannins. The weight of the wine is medium heavy, with a long finish, exhibiting medium-heavy tannins. The wine is perfect for enjoying upon release and for the next five years.

Fetzer Winery 2001 Sundial Chardonnay

The 2001 Fetzer Sundial Chardonnay is bright and golden straw in color. Aromas of tropical fruit, pineapple, light lemon citrus meld with hints of jasmine, sweet oak, and vanilla. On the palate there are flavors of baked apple, creamy vanilla, and pear spice accented with hints of zesty grapefruit citrus. Medium-bodied in style, this wine has a rich mouthfeel and a nicely balanced, lengthy finish.