Dec 30, 2022
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Sebastiani & Sons
| Owner(s) | Don Sebastiani Family Wines, August Sebastiani, Donny Sebastiani |
| Web site | www.donandsons.com |
| Link to this site |
As reported in recent issues of both Quarterly Review of Wines (Spring, 2008), and the Wine Enthusiast (May, 2008), Don Sebastiani & Sons is one of California’s fastest growing négociant labels (sporting an increase in sales from two million to eight million cases annually in three years with Don Sebastiani at the helm as board chairman). The goal of Don Sebastiani & Sons is to position itself as a quality value producer, with marketing aimed at the younger (millennial) set of wine drinkers. This group of wine drinkers has a growing interest in wine drinking, and with 70 million members, this is a group to be recognized.
A négociant does not own any vineyards and has no winery, a model begun in France centuries ago, but just now becoming a hot trend in California. The title négociant has had a negative connotation for many, since finished wines from other wineries are purchased and sometimes blended to produce a finished product. It is, in fact, simply a way for dealing with the surplus of bulk wine and grapes in the marketplace. In many cases, the négociant is actively involved in vineyard management and winemaking decisions at the source. Winemaker Richard Bruno serves this function at Sebastiani & Sons, who juggles grape contracts, custom wine contracts, and spot bulk wine purchasing to assemble the wines.
Richard Bruno is a graduate of University of California Davis, he started his own label, Vinum Cellars, with a classmate, Chris Condos, after school. While developing this label, he worked as a winemaking consultant, eventually hooking up with Don Sebastiani.
Don Sebastiani & Sons (the sons are Donny and August) was formed in 2001 and is composed of two wine divisions: Three Loose Screws offers appellation and limited release wines such as Pepperwood Grove and Smoking Loon, Mia’s Playground Pinot Noirs and Aquinas Pinot Noir. The Other Guys division releases small production labels including Plungerhead, Hey Mambo, and “moobuzz” Pinot Noir. Production is 2,000,000 cases annually.
Richard Bruno is the director of winemaking. A graduate of University of California Davis, he started his own label, Vinum Cellars, with a classmate, Chris Condos, after school. While developing this label, he worked as a winemaking consultant, eventually hooking up with Don Sebastiani.
Sebastiani & Sons wines are widely distributed. Fun wines, innovative closures, odd names. What’s not to like if you are young and the least bit interested in wine?
Articles About Sebastiani & Sons
Reviewed Wines
2015 Sebastiani Robert’s Vineyard Carneros Sonoma County Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.55,
300 cases, $45 (sold out). Pommard (55%),115 (42%) and 32 (3%) clones. 100% de-stemmed, 3-day cold
soak, pump overs 3 to 3 times a day with maceration lasting 11 to 13 days. Aged on light lees for 8 months in
72% new and 38% 1-year-old French oak barrels.
·
Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Very magnetic
nose, offering scents of cherry, rose petal, spice and seasoned oak. Bright and clean on the palate, with mid
weight flavors of black cherry, black plum, blackberry and black tea complimented with a touch of oak. Highly
enjoyable, with impressive harmony and a pleasing finish. Easily approachable now.
Score: 93.
Reviewed March 29, 2017
ARTICLE »
2007 Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Sonoma County Pinot Noir
27,287 cases,
$18. A Sonoma County Selection. Wide retail distribution.
·
Slightly cloudy. Lovely nose
of bright cherries and berries, sandalwood and stylish spice. Clean and balanced with
great purity of fruit, suavely textured, a deft touch of oak, finishing with commendable
grip. Amazing quality considering the sizable production level.
Reviewed April 18, 2009
ARTICLE »
2006 Aquinas Napa Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 37,000 cases, $14 (have seen it as low as $10).
Named after St. Thomas Aquinas, a revolutionary scholar in the 13th century.
Closed with NuKork.
·
Nice perfume of strawberries and cassis. Ripe and racy
strawberry and raspberry flavors with a subtle note of oak toast. Admirable finesse
and a fuzzy mouth feel. My only nit is the wine finishes a little hot. (this
will be submersed with food). A perfectly fine daily drinker. Unbelievable
quality considering huge production and reasonable price.
Reviewed August 4, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Mia’s Playground Sangiacomo Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 4,200 cases, $24. Named after Don’s sister, Mia. Aged 16 months
in French oak. Sealed with NuKork.
·
Very expressive berry and cherry fruit with
a hint of herbs, roses, oak and bacon. Plenty of dark red fruit with interesting
compliments of earth, tobacco and herbs. Nicely balanced with a smooth
texture and a clean and lingering finish. A serious wine for the tariff and recommended.
Tasted three different times with consistent results.
Reviewed August 4, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 moobuzz Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 1,540 cases, $25. A
topographical map of the Sonoma Coast is on the front label. Two bottles
sampled. Sealed with Zork closure.
·
The first bottle had a dank cellar aroma
and was unpleasant. Dirty cherry flavors with noticeable woody flavors. Soft in
the mouth with decent acidity. The second bottle was better. The wine was reduced
initially but improved in the glass. The nose evolved and offered black
fruits and a hint of oak char. Very fruity and easy to drink. Just ok but would be
a good companion for hamburgers.
Reviewed August 4, 2008
ARTICLE »
2015 Sebastiani Robert’s Vineyard Carneros Sonoma County Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.55, 300 cases, $45 (sold out). Pommard (55%),115 (42%) and 32 (3%) clones. 100% de-stemmed, 3-day cold soak, pump overs 3 to 3 times a day with maceration lasting 11 to 13 days. Aged on light lees for 8 months in 72% new and 38% 1-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Very magnetic nose, offering scents of cherry, rose petal, spice and seasoned oak. Bright and clean on the palate, with mid weight flavors of black cherry, black plum, blackberry and black tea complimented with a touch of oak. Highly enjoyable, with impressive harmony and a pleasing finish. Easily approachable now. Score: 93. Reviewed March 29, 2017 ARTICLE »
2007 Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Sonoma County Pinot Noir
27,287 cases, $18. A Sonoma County Selection. Wide retail distribution. · Slightly cloudy. Lovely nose of bright cherries and berries, sandalwood and stylish spice. Clean and balanced with great purity of fruit, suavely textured, a deft touch of oak, finishing with commendable grip. Amazing quality considering the sizable production level. Reviewed April 18, 2009 ARTICLE »
2006 Aquinas Napa Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 37,000 cases, $14 (have seen it as low as $10). Named after St. Thomas Aquinas, a revolutionary scholar in the 13th century. Closed with NuKork. · Nice perfume of strawberries and cassis. Ripe and racy strawberry and raspberry flavors with a subtle note of oak toast. Admirable finesse and a fuzzy mouth feel. My only nit is the wine finishes a little hot. (this will be submersed with food). A perfectly fine daily drinker. Unbelievable quality considering huge production and reasonable price. Reviewed August 4, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Mia’s Playground Sangiacomo Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 4,200 cases, $24. Named after Don’s sister, Mia. Aged 16 months in French oak. Sealed with NuKork. · Very expressive berry and cherry fruit with a hint of herbs, roses, oak and bacon. Plenty of dark red fruit with interesting compliments of earth, tobacco and herbs. Nicely balanced with a smooth texture and a clean and lingering finish. A serious wine for the tariff and recommended. Tasted three different times with consistent results. Reviewed August 4, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 moobuzz Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., 1,540 cases, $25. A topographical map of the Sonoma Coast is on the front label. Two bottles sampled. Sealed with Zork closure. · The first bottle had a dank cellar aroma and was unpleasant. Dirty cherry flavors with noticeable woody flavors. Soft in the mouth with decent acidity. The second bottle was better. The wine was reduced initially but improved in the glass. The nose evolved and offered black fruits and a hint of oak char. Very fruity and easy to drink. Just ok but would be a good companion for hamburgers. Reviewed August 4, 2008 ARTICLE »