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Cline Cellars History ... After spending
his childhood summers learning farming and winemaking from his grandfather, Valeriano Jacuzzi (of the pump and
spa fame), Fred Cline founded Cline Cellars in 1982, in Oakley, California. Fred started the winery with the $12,000
inheritance from the sale of Jacuzzi Bros. In 1986, Fred's brother Matt joined Cline Cellars as winemaker after
studying winemaking at the University of California at Davis. In 1991, the winery facilities relocated to the Sonoma
Valley on a 350 acre estate in the Carneros District.
The Cline Brothers, Fred and Matt, are Zinfandel and Rhone varietal specialists. Their holdings include some of the oldest and rarest vines in California. They are best known for the one hundred year old plantings of Carignane, Mourvedre and Zinfandel grapes they farm in Oakley, California. The Mourvedre represent approximately 85% of the state's total supply of this fascinating and versatile varietal. This treasure is the inspiration for Cline Cellars many "Rhone style" bottlings.
The Rhone Ranger ... Rhone Rangers are
a progressive group of California vintners who vinify grapes that have flourished in France's Rhone Valley for
more than 2,000 years. These areas include Cotes-du-Rhone, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Hermitage, to name a few. The
grapes include Mourvedre (Mataro) , Syrah, Carignane, Grenache, Cinsault, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier.
Contact the Rhône Rangers at their new website or call John MacCready at Sierra Vista Winery 916-622-7221.
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