Sonoma County Barrel Auction


Welcome to the 2023 Sonoma County Barrel Auction lots! The live auction events took place May 4-5, 2023 in Healdsburg, CA. The 2024 SoCoBA Lots will be announced in mid-March.



Acaibo logo

Lot #1 ACAIBO

A jarre is a vessel that was used in ancient times by Romans when making and aging wine. It is made with clay that is baked at 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit and has less porosity than a barrel, with less than a 2% oxygen exchange. This Never Before,…
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Lot #2 BACA WINES

BACA's "Tug O' War" Zinfandel has some impressive history – it is sourced from the oldest section of Maffei Vineyard’s Block 6, which was planted in 1928 by a community of Italian immigrants. Here, gorgeous old vines struggle in limited,…

Lot #3 BANSHEE WINES

“Wind & Fog” is made from Pinot Noir that is grown in the Carneros region, which is influenced by the proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The climate of lingering morning and evening fog as well as cool coastal winds that flow through the…
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Lot #4 BALLETTO VINEYARDS

Using only California heritage clones, this wine comes from Balletto's esteemed estate vineyards scattered throughout the Sebastopol Hills. The clonal material was made possible by California's wine pioneers, who searched, begged and smuggled…
Benziger Family Winery and Imagery Winery logos

Lot #5 BENZIGER FAMILY WINERY, IMAGERY ESTATE WINERY

This is a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between two powerhouse female winemakers – Lisa Amaroli at Benziger Family Winery and Jamie Benziger at Imagery Estate Winery. This "once in a Blue Moon" occurrence pays tribute to the notes of blue…

Lot #6 DONUM ESTATE

Donum Estate considers Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to be the King and Queen of Carneros. Keith Haring's "King and Queen" sculpture sits on their highest hilltop, and looking west you can see all the way from the winery to the Ferguson Vineyard.…

Lot #7 32 WINDS

The "Whole Lot o' Moonshine" auction lot was made from the winery’s best barrels of outstanding 2021 vintage Pinot Noir from the Moonshine Ranch vineyard in the Sonoma Coast AVA. The 100% whole cluster fermentation adds many dimensions and…
Alexander Valley Vineyards logo

Lot #8 ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS

This selection celebrates the excellence of Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon and the Wetzel Family's heritage of sharing the special place they call home with wine lovers around the world. Katie Wetzel Murphy and her husband, Dennis…

Lot #9 BOB CABRAL WINES, JOSEPH PHELPS VINEYARDS

This unique bottling comes from a selection of the best Pinot Noir barrels produced in 2022 from special vineyards along the Sonoma Coast produced by Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Bob Cabral Wines. These two premier Burgundian style wineries have…
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Lot #10 APERTURE CELLARS

Aperture Cellars has worked with SJ Ranch Vineyard for their site-specific portfolio of wines for the past seven years, and now for the first time are isolating some of the most uniquely exquisite blocks for an exercise in singular expression.…

Lot #11 CHALK HILL ESTATE VINEYARDS & WINERY

While Chalk Hill Estate is known for its rich and elegant Chardonnay, “Culmination Red” marks the culmination of over 40 years of site-specific research with the goal of creating a unique red wine that evokes the character of the Chalk Hill…

Lot #12 CONVENE BY DAN KOSTA

“Beginnings" represents the 25-year history of Dan Kosta as a Sonoma County vintner. Convene by Dan Kosta was launched on September 8, 2022, and has received much critical acclaim. Working closely with winemaker Shane Finley since their days…

Lot #13 DAVIS BYNUM

“Three-Piece Pinot Noir” is from single vineyard sites, blended together to make something sublime. The deep color and grace of the Swan selection carries the wine, with wild aromas of the hillside block old Wente and spicy barrel fermented…
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Lot #14 MONROY WINES

The Resplendent Quetzal is the symbol and logo of Monroy Wines and 'resplendent' is also an apt descriptor of the wine. Beautifully complex, bright and floral, this is a wine of elegance and subtlety. “Resplendent Cuvée” was completely…
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Lot #15 GLORIA FERRER

This is Gloria Ferrer's first adventure into creating a “Sparkling Rouge” and is an exciting deviation from the more classically-styled, traditional method offerings that the brand has been perfecting over the last 35 years and more. Recently,…
Crescere Wines

Lot #16 CRESCERE

This is a selection of the best blend of the best grapes from the Crescere property. Proprietary Red Blend has always been the designation for this wine – however this lot is unique as a special single barrel selection. It reflects the careful…

Lot #17 CHATEAU ST. JEAN

Chateau St. Jean's 50th anniversary will be celebrated throughout 2023. This Never Before, Never Again auction lot is a nod to the winery’s pioneering role in Sonoma County red wines of distinction, notably Cinq Cépages. This wine was the…

Lot #18 FLOWERS VINEYARDS & WINERY

This small lot of 2022 Chardonnay is a rare blend hailing from both of Flowers' iconic estate vineyards, Camp Meeting Ridge and Sea View Ridge, at the outer reaches of the Sonoma Coast. Singular sites with vastly different terroir and geology,…
DuMOL Winery logo

Lot #19 DUMOL

“Machair” refers to the fertile grassy and sandy plain found on the exposed west-facing shores of Scotland and Ireland. It is a unique habitat and one of the rarest in Europe. The landscape in Annapolis is very similar, although at a higher…
Ektimo Wines logo

Lot #20 EKTIMO WINERY

"Redolent Rubellite Rhapsody" comes from a one acre estate block of Dijon 115 Pinot Noir. The barrel that captured the essence of the 2022 vintage was selected for this auction lot, showcasing its youthful beauty while teasing with its alluring…

Lot #21 EMERITUS VINEYARDS

This wine is from an extraordinarily expressive barrel of 'Elite' selection Pinot Noir from the famed Hallberg Ranch. This coveted field selection was sourced as a “Clone de Valise” (suitcase clone) from Burgundy's legendary La Romanée…

Lot #22 DRY CREEK VINEYARD

“Legacy Zinfandel” is an homage to longtime winery friends Paul Bernier who farms Pillsbury Vineyard and Matt Vogensen who farms Vogensen Ranch, as well as a celebration of Dry Creek Valley's legacy. The winemaking team carefully selected…

Lot #23 ENROUTE WINERY

“I Spy a Northern Spy” is a play on words with the children's game "I Spy" and with EnRoute Winery’s Northern Spy Vineyard. The Northern Spy vineyard is named after a heritage apple variety and pays homage to the roots of agriculture prior…

Lot #24 ERNEST VINEYARDS

This Never Before, Never Again cuvée celebrates "Freestone's Hills and Valleys." Ernest Vineyards’ never-ending pursuit to capture the essence of terroir in the coastal redwood forests surrounding the Salmon Creek Watershed drives this beautiful…

Lot #25 FISHER VINEYARDS, LAUREL GLEN VINEYARD

This wine is a collaboration between two pioneering wineries of mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, celebrating over 100 years of history between them, on opposite sides of Sonoma County. Laurel Glen Vineyard (planted in 1968) is located on Sonoma…
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Lot #26 FORT ROSS VINEYARD & WINERY

The Terraces is a block in the Fort Ross Vineyard closest to the Pacific Ocean and planted 100% to Calera Clone. This block wraps around the mountainside and produces elegant, complex wines every vintage. “The Coastal Terraces” made from…

Lot #27 CHEV.

“The Workshop” is a one-of-a-kind CHEV blend, inspired by Michael Browne's time spent in his father's workshop. Fond memories of working side-by-side, investing time and passion into every project they pursued, led Michael to create CHEV,…

Lot #28 FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA WINERY

This exciting Cabernet Sauvignon lot, “Archimedes Solo” represents the first single-vineyard wine that Francis Ford Coppola Winery has crafted from its Archimedes Vineyard. Planted in 2005, this extraordinary site clings to the rugged peak…
Gamba Vineyards & Winery logo

Lot #29 GAMBA VINEYARDS AND WINERY

Sourced from the highest point, or "Alto Piano" (Italian for ‘high plain’), of the Bastoni Home Ranch with a 118-year wine growing history, this lot was harvested and vinified separately from the best lots of St. Peters Church clones and…
Gary Farrell logo

Lot #30 GARY FARRELL VINEYARDS & WINERY

This special selection comes from two separate blocks at Rochioli Vineyard that have never been picked and fermented separately. One of them sings vibrant, bright, jubilant characteristics, while the other offers depth, with rich, dark, earthy,…

Lot #31 PATZ & HALL

Patz & Hall will mark its 35th Anniversary in 2023. To celebrate this significant milestone, Founding Winemaker James Hall has crafted a Chardonnay from the new fourteen-acre Patz & Hall Estate Vineyard in the Green Valley AVA of the…

Lot #32 BENOVIA WINERY

This never before, never again wine comes from heirloom clones of Pinot Noir planted on the middle slope of Benovia’s Tilton Hill Vineyard. Mid-slope is a term used in Burgundy to refer to the portion of vineyards where winegrapes used predominantly…
Guarachi Family Wines logo

Lot #33 GUARACHI FAMILY WINES

This wine is made from very low yield Calera, Swan and 777 clones and aged separately in French Oak. “Top Secret” takes its name from the horse owned by Alex Guarachi’s daughter when she was 12 years old. This name was chosen because Guarachi…
Head High logo

Lot #34 HEAD HIGH WINES

Proprietor Bill Price III is known for his exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards located throughout Sonoma County. That is what makes this lot so fantastic! As his only Zinfandel vineyard, this gem of less than an acre of vines is…

Lot #35 WINEGROWERS OF DRY CREEK VALLEY – A. RAFANELLI WINERY, DRY CREEK VINEYARD, MAURITSON WINES, MILL CREEK VINEYARDS & WINERY, PEDRONCELLI WINERY, RIDGE VINEYARDS, SAINI VINEYARDS

For generations, Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley has captivated wine lovers all over the world. This special bottling from seven iconic Zintners of Dry Creek Valley, celebrates the outstanding bounty of the land and the unique magic of this…

Lot #36 J VINEYARDS AND WINERY

J Vineyards & Winery has never before produced a single-vineyard sparkling wine – until this extraordinary “Eastside Effervescence” lot. Eastside Knoll Vineyard was one of J's first estate vineyard properties and it remains a highlight…

Lot #37 KNIGHTS BRIDGE WINERY

“Once and for All” is the first Cabernet Sauvignon produced in the new Knights Valley winery, a culmination of 15 years of exceptional winemaking from the estate vineyard. Located in a narrow valley bordering the Mayacamas mountain range…
Kosta Browne logo

Lot #38 KOSTA BROWNE

Kosta Browne has created a captivating one-time exclusive from the historic Sebastopol Hills of Russian River Valley, meticulously focused on the iconic Marshall Ranch vineyard. When initially searching for inspiration for this wine, Winemaker…

Lot #39 LANCASTER ESTATE, FERRARI-CARANO VINEYARDS AND WINERY

Lancaster Estate and PreVail LookOut Mountain wines have never been blended together before. This is the only collaboration between these two Alexander Valley estate wineries who have a shared commitment to the land and its soil. It is 100%…
Martinelli logo

Lot #40 MARTINELLI WINERY

Never before has Martinelli Winery made a Pinot Noir entirely from one individual clone. To celebrate Lee Sr. & Carolyn Martinelli being honored with the 2023 Sonoma County Barrel Auction Icon award, Winemaker Courtney Robinett Wagoner has…
Limerick Lane Cellars logo

Lot #41 LIMERICK LANE CELLARS

This is the first time Limerick Lane Cellars has combined Ricci Vineyard Zinfandel with their historic 1910 Block Zinfandel. Both old vine vineyards have recently been reunited under Limerick Lane Cellars and expressed through this wine. These…
Thompson 31Fifty Wines logo

Lot #42 THOMPSON 31FIFTY WINES

"Single All the Way" succinctly describes this barrel auction lot with its ONE barrel, ONE clone and ONE vineyard composition. Winemaker Patrick Sullivan selected one new French Oak barrel of Pinot Noir from Goose Vineyard, which is planted…

Lot #43 MACROSTIE WINERY & VINEYARDS, SOJOURN CELLARS

Like a power-ballad from two rockstars of Pinot Noir, this one-of-a-kind auction lot invites you to savor the skill and artistry of winemakers Heidi Bridenhagen (MacRostie Winery & Vineyards) and Randy Bennett (Sojourn Cellars) in an unforgettable…
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Lot #44 MAURITSON WINES

We have all had epiphany wines. Maybe yours was a wine that stopped you in your tracks, maybe it was what inspired you to pursue a career in wine, and maybe it became the wine by which you judge all others against. Clay Mauritson, owner of Mauritson…
Merriam Vineyards logo

Lot #45 MERRIAM VINEYARDS

This 2021 Windacre Reserve Merlot is the first and only vintage where Winemaker William Weese has hand-selected his favorite barrels from Windacre Vineyard Merlot to make this special reserve-quality blend. Windacre Vineyard is located on Limerick…

Lot #46 PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS

Dating back to 1982, the Rock Arch block has been the core of Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve wines from the start. As these vines have aged, the tonnage has dropped and other blocks have come into their own. Ultimately, the Rock Arch Cabernet…

Lot #47 MIGRATION

Experience the best of their Russian River Valley fruit with this year's “Running Creek Barrel Selection” lot from Migration Winery, a pinnacle Pinot Noir from The Duckhorn Portfolio. Migration's estate Running Creek Vineyard features 70…

Lot #48 NOTTINGHAM CELLARS

This Chardonnay comes from a single New Doreau French Oak Barrel from Block 19 of Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard. This barrel was identified as a top performer from Nottingham Cellars’ program and truly captures the cool climate of the site.…
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Lot #49 RAM’S GATE WINERY

“Rocky Road” is a cuvée created from three distinct vineyards in three AVAs that are usually reserved for the Ram’s Gate Winery single vineyard program. The name reflects a playful take on a delicious flavor of ice cream, yet it also…
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Lot #50 RODNEY STRONG VINEYARDS

This “Triple Play” auction lot represents the love Tom Klein, proprietor of Rodney Strong Vineyards and recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, has for baseball and hillside Cabernet. The Alexander's Crown, Rockaway, and Brothers…

Lot #51 RIDGE VINEYARDS

This special wine was assembled from the oldest and most prestigious blocks in the Pagani Ranch and named for the matriarch of the family, Norma. Norma lovingly tends to these gnarly centenarian vines, some of which tower above her at six feet…
Ramey Wine Cellars logo

Lot #52 RAMEY WINE CELLARS

In the more than 25-year history of the winery, Ramey Wine Cellars has never made a standalone bottling from the Rockpile appellation. The Ramey winemaking team isolated a lot of Rockpile Cabernet Sauvignon that was so compelling, it necessitated…
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Lot #53 ROMBAUER VINEYARDS

This lot features puncheons from a barrel-size trial of the 1982 block from the Sangiacomo Home Ranch Vineyard, one of Rombauer Vineyards’ favorite blocks of Chardonnay. By using a larger barrel, they can create an elegant wine that highlights…
Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery logo

Lot #54 SEBASTIANI VINEYARDS & WINERY

This exclusive Cabernet Sauvignon pays tribute to the 60th Anniversary of the estate Cherryblock Vineyard, located in the heart of Sonoma Valley. The Cabernet Sauvignon is primarily sourced from the Original Block of old vines planted in 1961.…

Lot #55 SAINTSBURY

“ITG” is the first wine of its kind and was made specifically for the 2023 Sonoma County Barrel Auction. It is a blend of Pinot Noirs from the seven different growers Saintsbury sources from in Sonoma County, highlighting the craftsmanship…

Lot #56 WILLIAMS SELYEM, ROCHIOLI VINEYARDS AND WINERY, GARY FARRELL VINEYARDS & WINERY

The success of the Russian River Valley could not be possible without the pioneering spirit of Joe Rochioli Jr., who was the first grower to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay along the idyllic Westside Road, in Healdsburg, CA, in the late 1960s.…
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Lot #57 SEGHESIO FAMILY VINEYARDS

This wine is typically a component in Seghesio’s Home Ranch Zinfandel and is not normally bottled as a stand-alone wine. More than 100 years ago, Edoardo and Angela Seghesio purchased 83+ acres named the Reddington Tract adjacent to their…

Lot #58 SCHUG WINERY

Vierburgunder is a play on the German word for Pinot Noir, Spätburgunder. Vier means 'four' in German, and this never before, never again SoCoBA lot includes the winery's best barrels from four single vineyards throughout Sonoma County –…

Lot #59 SIDURI

"Groves to Coves" is a unique blend of two gorgeous West Sonoma Coast sites that lie perilously close to the chilly Pacific Ocean. Nestled between redwood groves and coastline coves lies a truly mesmerizing place to grow Pinot Noir – the West…
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Lot #60 THREE STICKS WINES

Hailing from the smallest Chardonnay site in the Three Sticks Wines portfolio and named for founder Bill Price's youngest daughter, Alana, this wine was fermented and aged in a neutral, French oak half barrel, with the intent of creating a beautiful…

Lot #61 STONESTREET ESTATE VINEYARDS

“The Pinnacle” is a blend of all five Bordeaux varietals, primarily composed of Merlot, and a wine that Stonestreet has not crafted before. It represents a unique expression of Stonestreet's mountain estate vineyards, meticulously hand-selected…

Lot #62 BROOKS NOTE WINERY, THIRTY-SEVEN WINES

"Wind and Sea" is a blend of two vineyards from the Petaluma Gap boasting an exceptional concentration of fruit. Taylor's Crown is at the northeast corner of the Petaluma Gap. It sits at the top of the ridge on the western side of Sonoma Mountain…

Lot #63 DOMAINE DE LA RIVIÈRE

This spectacular “4x4 by Vineyard Eleven” auction lot is made from a four-barrel selection of the four clones (Swan, Mt. Eden, Pommard and UV-Vosne Romanèe) planted at Domaine de la Rivière's Vineyard Eleven. This estate vineyard is located…
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Lot #64 TWOMEY

This unique auction lot is crafted from one individual block and clone at the Twomey Last Stop estate vineyard, marked by milepost Block 10 - Clone 115. Typically used as a portion of its single vineyard bottling from the estate, this specific…
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Lot #65 WALT WINES

WALT specializes in premier Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from the most coveted vineyards along the Pacific Coast spanning 1,000 miles. This “1,000 Miles of Pinot” auction lot is a wine of a place – incorporating special sites where…
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Lot #66 SILVER OAK

Representing Alexander Valley at its best, "The Pick of the Bunch" reflects top winegrowing selections from the prosperous 2021 vintage. "The Pick of the Bunch" has both literal and referential significance. This lot name represents the wine's…