Founded
in 1991, the first release consisted of 500 cases of Zinfandel, and 100 cases
of Petite Syrah from the estate vineyard in the Larkmead District.
In a long and varied wine career, Dennis Fife was a past president of Inglenook
Napa Valley, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Beaulieu Vineyards, and
held the title of consigliari at Stags' Leap Winery - all legendary estates in
California wine history. He is also co-founder and past President of Napa Valley
Kitchens, a rapidly growing specialty food producer and marketer. In 1991, he
realized a longtime dream and launched Fife Vineyards.
Fife Vineyards specializes in red wines. Varietals include: Barbera, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Charbono and Syrah. Fife Vineyards
also makes a Reserve Cabernet from Spring Mountain, as well as MAX, the acclaimed
proprietary blend of Syrah, Petite Syrah, Charbono, and Zinfandel.
Fife Vineyards owns vineyard land in the historic Larkmead district of Napa Vallery
(about halfway between St. Helena and Calistoga), as well as in the stunning Redwood
Valley of Mendocino. Fife "Redhead" Zinfandel and "Redhead" Petite Syrah both
come from the brick-red soils of the Ricetti Bench, 1200 feet above the valley
floor, in Redwood Valley. In addition, grapes are acquired through long term contracts
with growers in both Napa and in Mendocino. Finaly, the family's home property
on Spring Mountain (2000 ft above sea level) is in vineyard development.
Dennis sees the craft of winemaking as a collaborative, team project of which
he is the director. The other members of the team include: John Buechsenstein,
veteran winemaker and original Rhone Ranger, Karen MacNeil Fife, noted food and
wine writer and palate extraordinaire, Eric Murray, with extensive experience
in wine sales and marketing, as well as production, and the expert staff headed
by Jack Ryno at Napa Wine Company, the custom facility used for the Fife Napa
Valley wines. The winemaking philosophy is simple: seek out grapes with personality
and distinction, handle them minimally, then focus on blending to bring out nuance
and character in the wine.
Fife Vineyards / 3620 Road B / Redwood Valley, CA 95470 / (707) 944-1710
Founded
in 1991, the first release consisted of 500 cases of Zinfandel, and 100 cases
of Petite Syrah from the estate vineyard in the Larkmead District.