The Tasting Panel magazine

August 2014

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august 2014  /  the tasting panel  /  61 In many ways, the composition of The Estates Group personifies the mar- ket that the Sebastianis are pursuing; the representatives are a knowledgeable group with years of wine experience, and they are focused on accounts that service an enthusiastic and discerning clientele. As Sean Riebli, Western Region Manager for Sivas-Sonoma, says, "We're seeking out distributor partners who are generally sommeliers and CSWs—they are knowledgeable and valu- able to their retailers and their restaurateurs." Meaning, the Sebastianis are particularly proud of these new wines, and they are looking to partner with distributors and retailers who have the kind of appreciation for the wine that they have themselves. "Every winery has their story of why they are in exis- tence," Riebli says. "The Sebastiani family has been in the wine business for more than 100 years. So this story, of generations of the Sebastiani family, has really built up to our Sivas-Sonoma winery." Donny Sebastiani is welcoming the dozen or so associates of The Estates Group to his father's Sonoma home when he takes a few moments to talk with THE TASTING PANEL. "What we're trying to do with these wines, from a trade perspective, is fundamentally change how we are distrib- uted—the type of accounts that we're in, the profile of the accounts." Historically, the family has had a strong pres- ence in off-premise retail shops, but now, they are moving strongly toward an on-premise clientele. But more than that, they want to partner with accounts that "look and feel like us," as Donny puts it. "Family-run, with a long term vision for the future, people who care about the details, not the kind who want their wine to check a bunch of boxes: 'Well, I need to have a Cabernet, I need to have something from Napa…'" He becomes more passionate as he continues, dark eyes shining with excitement: "We want somebody who sees where this company is going, where these wines are going, and who has the kind of vision toward the horizon that we do." The move is a fundamental shift for the family business. "We produce so many high-volume wines, and they are demanding of our time and attention. Now we are making a priority for smaller-lot winemaking…" Sebastiani's voice trails off in seeming amazement. And it is amazing that the family is returning to smaller, estate-style winemaking. After all, the Sebastianis made their name slaking the thirst of millions of wine drinkers at a time. But the idea now is to get that aficionado, get that restaura- teur who prides himself on the authenticity of his ingredients and provide them with a wine that satisfies, one that partners well with fine food and gourmet experiences. "We're trying to make wines a little differently, too," Donny says. "The name itself, Sivas-Sonoma, is the two most important things: family heritage from our Sivas name, and this place, Sonoma, the place we live in and where the grapes come from." "The experience of drinking wine is in that bottle," Donny continues. "But so many times it's lots of other things, too—the weather outside, the food, the company, the mood, whether you are having a good hair day," he says with a laugh. "If we are correctly doing our job, and changing the way we are distributed, we are going to be in those accounts where people are having those kinds of experiences. "The way we make these wines and the way we source these wines, it's consistent with the way those restaurateurs are building their restaurants and sourcing their food." Sivas-Sonoma wines such as this Old Vine Zinfandel, embrace Sonoma's his- torical appellations and winemaking spirit. The name Sivas (SEA-vis) is the modern-day Turkish derivation of Sebasteia, the city named for Emperor Augustus 2,000 years ago, and the historical origin of the family's surname. Welcoming The Estates Group as distributor for Sivas-Sonoma (left to right): Ann Altman; Roger Cross; Marc Guerguy; Kevin Fitzsimons; Nick Claitman, VP NorCal Estates Group; and Marin Blomquist, Senior VP & GM of The Estates Group.

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