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82 / the tasting panel / june 2016 who they are, what they do and the pride they feel in their city. The Sebastiani story is inextricably linked to the city of Sonoma; August and his wife were both born in Sonoma and are raising their four children there. Something New United under one new corporate identity, the 3 Badge brands retain distinct personalities within their categories. Wine brands under 3 Badge Enology include Leese-Fitch, Plungerhead, Pennywise, The White Knight, Hey Mambo, Moobuzz and Gehricke. "Gehricke celebrates the best of Sonoma," Sebastiani says with pride. More than speaking to the region's terroir, Gehricke is literally named for a dusty road that he grew up playing on. The small-lot wines, made from fruit selected from rural sub-regions, include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Zinfandel varietals, representing the Los Carneros appella- tion, Russian River Valley and Sonoma Valley respectively. As 3 Badge grows the Gehricke offerings, including an upcom- ing Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, they are managing the entire grape-to-bottle process, going out into vineyards to select particular blocks that meet their high standards. Further down the coast, MooBuzz wines celebrate the best of California's Central Coast with an offering of classic Pinot Noir (92 Points, The Tasting Panel) and Chardonnay (90 Points, The Tasting Panel). A Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre (GSM) is slated to join the family next month. The White Knight strives to differentiate itself by "saving the world from the tyranny of Chardonnay"—the alterna- tive white wine promises adventure and an unforgettable personality through its lineup of Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Prosecco. "As a négociant, we're constantly tasting wines not just in our portfolio, but also weird, offbeat, fun lots from all over the world—Alsatian Traminers, dry Rieslings from the Finger Lakes region, wines from the Roanoke Valley and Washington state," Sebastiani says. With its current focus heavily within the state, 3 Badge Enology is looking to grow in other direc- tions outside of California, even exploring importing Spanish and Chilean red blends for the Hey Mambo portfolio. Something Brewed The 3 Badge Beverage Corporation headquarters' new Tap Room will serve as a meeting place for distributors and retailers to sample products and conduct business. A floor- to-ceiling, wall-to-wall mural of old Sonoma serves as an ode to the history that pre-dated the space. "We've been here for almost a year and are finally getting around to putting art on the walls," Sebastiani laughs. COVER STORY