Varozza

AVA

St. Helena

Decade

1900s

County

Napa

Current Owner

Varozza Family

Planted by

Emil Zange

Location Notes

Just north of St. Helena on Pratt Avenue next to the restored winery

Wineries

Varozza

Historical Producers

Biale

Characteristics

Expressive black berry, plumb and stone fruits; toasty spice and mineral aromas

Description

From the Robert Biale Vineyards website:

“The Varozza ranch is an iconic St. Helena landmark featuring an old wood and stone winery that dates back to the days when stonemasons and craftsmen built the original winery for Emil Zange in 1885. Joseph Varozza, who was a St. Helena blacksmith, purchased the property in 1913 and made wine there until his death in 1946. This beautiful property has remained in the Varozza family for the past 97 years! For decades Harold Varozza operated the ranch after his father passed, selling the grapes to local wineries and in 1999 Harold’s son Jack and Jack’s wife Dianna took over the ranch and now produce estate grown wines under their own label: www.varozzavineyards.com … There is a patch of classic head-trained Zinfandel vines that, heading south, connects to a younger block of trellised vines. Planted on stony, alluvial soils between York Creek and the Napa River, the old and younger vines here produce wines that are a little darker with more black fruit than typical of St. Helena with great textural feel and firm structure.”

Facts

This vineyard contains old-vine blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel.

Certified