This weekend the wine world said goodbye to a Napa patriarch - 80-year-old Aldo Biale of Robert Biale Vineyards. The Biale family has been growing Zinfandel grapes in Napa since the
1930’s. If you’re a zin-ophile
like us you’ll recognize the Biale name – they produce two of the Zin market’s
most highly acclaimed and recognizable Zins – Aldo’s Vineyard and Black
Chicken.
Prized
Zinfandel grapes growing at the Biale vineyard. Winemaker
Steve Hall with our friend Paul and Eric. Steve
was a gracious host and exceptional teacher allowing us to try juices from
several pressings that had been fermenting for 10-14 days. He could tell by tasting the sweet
nectar how good the vintage would be with aging. The juicy goodness
of Biale Zin. Our
favorite Biale story is from the 1940’s when Aldo was running an Italian farm
in the heart of Napa. Customers
would call on the phone (a party line back in those days) to place their order
for eggs, produce, and a “black chicken” – code for a jug of bootleg wine. Even Aldo’s wife Clemintina didn’t
understand why the customers wanted “black chickens” because the white chickens
were better. The Biale
mascots: Gus & Buddy. We
recommend you try Biale wines and if you become a fellow Biale Zin-ophile we
further recommend you become a member of the Black Chicken Society. Visit Biale on the web to find out more
and, by all means, if you can visit the vineyard it’s a trip not to be missed. We’re considering becoming official
Biale Zinterns for next year’s crush! Zin vines
at Biale.
We
had the distinct pleasure of visiting Robert Biale Vineyards. When we first arrived on the property
we were greeted by the vineyard mascots Gus & Buddy. We proceeded to the
tasting room where we met Kandice who introduced us to the complete line of
Biale wines – more than just Zins.
When Kandice took us out back to show us the crushing facilities we met
up with Steve Hall the winemaker…and did we have a lot to talk to Steve about –
not just wine, but the Baltimore area as his mom lives there.
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