The founders of Ferrari-Carano, Don and Rhonda Carano, have always been very passionate about their Italian heritage and their philosophy of celebrating life. A point made evident in the choice of building their Estate Winery, Villa Fiore in Dry Creek Valley, a palatial estate that is reminiscent of the picturesque grand estates of Italy. Manicured opulent gardens surround the winery, and the Italian-like villa, Villa Fiore, was created from imported Italian marble, complete with Roman statues lining its reflecting pool. ‘The community itself was very inviting,’ Rhonda Carano remembers, ‘There were a lot of Italians in the area. We were made to feel at home.’ Their Italian passion extends to part of their wine portfolio. A Rose made from Sangiovese. And a thirst-quenching Pinot Grigio, a wine sourced from estate vineyards in cool climate regions of Sonoma County, predominantly Russian River. And a Sangiovese-based red blend called Siena.

The Caranos share a common Italian lifestyle philosophy that wine is part of a rich life and should be enjoyed regularly with good food and better friends. Wine is not for hiding in your cellar and bringing it out only at revered times but adds to a part of living an everyday, wholesome life. It’s no wonder that Italian cuisine ranges from Pizza and big bowls of pasta to saltimbocca and exotic risottos. All are better appreciated with an accommodating, good, everyday wine. Tuscany does this best with their choice of wine being a Sangiovese-based wine blended with other grapes to round out the wine with more fruit and complexity. This was Don and Rhonda’s thinking behind creating Ferrari-Carano Siena.

Siena was one of the first premium Sangiovese blends made in California. Ferrari-Carano has produced this wine with consistently superb results year after year. A reflection of their Italian heritage Siena is a wine continually honed over the years to find the perfect formula. Senior Winemaker Rebecka Deike is responsible for the red wine program at Ferrari-Carano. 

“As winemaker for our red wines, I love the seasonal experiences and connection between seeing the vines develop in the vineyards, the grapes ripening and witnessing the transformation of grapes into wine. Our wines are reflective of the terroir they come from.”

Rebecca talks about where she sources grapes that go into her Siena Italian red blend.

“The Sangiovese grapes are sourced from our mountain ranches as well as our valley floor vineyards. The higher elevation mountainside vineyards, with their shallow, rocky volcanic soils, add structure and raspberry and pomegranate flavors, while the valley floor vineyards give juicy berry and strawberry jam character. The malbec, mostly sourced from Dry Creek Valley, brings lush, sweet plums to the palate, while the Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah bring a touch of darker fruit and leather to the mix. All of our cab and most of our Petite Sirah are grown on our mountain ranches in Alexander Valley.”

The end result is a consistent Italian-inspired red blend that is made to augment comfort food with friends and loved ones. Molto Bene!

The grapes are sorted and destemmed before being transferred to a stainless steel tank for three days of cold soaking. Following the cold soak, yeast is added, and pump overs commence, one to two times daily, for the duration of primary fermentation. Once fermentation is complete, the wine is drained and pressed to barrels for malolactic fermentation and is aged in 20% new French and Eastern European oak and 80% older oak for a total of 12 months before bottling in March 2020.

Siena has delicious aromas of toasted graham cracker, plum, raspberry, and mocha that lead to flavors of baked cherry pie, vanilla bean, cola, and spice with sweet oak notes and hints of butterscotch lingering on the finish. Siena has supple tannins and a balanced mouthfeel with lively elegance and depth.

A bright, fresh mix of chocolate-covered cherry, dried raspberry, and plum notes show clove, toffee, and espresso accents, with thick, appealing tannins pulling everything into focus. Sangiovese, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Grenache, Tannat, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2036. Wine Spectator 90 pts

Ferrari-Carano Siena Rosso 2018

When I tasted this wine with the staff, I was instantly reminded of a big bowl of fruit—aromas and flavors of blackberry, raspberry, and ripe cherries with a bit of vanilla and mocha. After reading the back label, I was influenced to find butterscotch. Mild tannins balance medium weight on the palate. This wine is designed for a gathering around a table with friends and good food. A crowd pleaser that will make any dish taste better, conversations will be enlightening, and humor will seem funnier, all to create a memorable evening. Buona salute

Regular Price: $18.99

*Sale price is on 6 or more bottles

$10 Mail In Rebate offer on 6 bottle purchase Final cost $12.34

$24 Mail In Rebate offer on 12 bottle purchase Final cost $12.00

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Cheers!

John Hannum,

Fine & Rare Wine Specialist