Unti Rosso del Campo 2014 | Unique Italian Blend from Sonoma

This Unti Rosso del Campo 2014 exhibits a rustic, ruby-garnet hue. Aromatics of crushed wild berries and dried herbs. On the palate, generous amounts of dark fruit including currant, boysenberry, and red cherry notes are laced with finely cracked black pepper. Leather, olive tapenade, black licorice, and camphor notes follow in turn. Not over the top like many California reds, but instead shows excellent restraint similar to well-crafted Southern Italian reds. Well-made for the price point. Moderate alcohol enables the wine to be extremely food-friendly, especially with braised and grilled meat dishes.

Amazing Red Gems under $35

So, the Unti Rosso del Campo 2014 is a combination of everything Old World wine lovers dream about.  First, elegant, restrained, fresh—crossed with California sunshine.  While lending this unique blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Barbera its generous and juicy dark fruit.  So, more than an homage, this is a new take on tradition.  As a result, a wine with incredible personality and soul—not to mention excellent value.

Unti Vineyards Winery

When the Untis founded their eponymous winery in 1997, they weren’t just a family obsessed with Old World wines. Well, they were, but they also knew a thing or two about geography, realizing that the conditions in Dry Creek Valley were eerily similar to the Mediterranean homes of their favorite wines.  While doubling down on their vision, they planted grapes like Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre.  Then, bringing in stud winemaker Jason Valenti (Paul Hobbs, Kosta Browne) to bring their dreams to fruition.

Winemaker Jason Valenti

Upon graduation in 2005, with a wife and two children in tow, Jason took a cellar job with the venerable Paul Hobbs Winery.  Thereafter evolving into a full-time Enologist position through the 2007 harvest.  Then, after a stint at Kosta Browne Wines, Jason returned to Paul Hobbs in 2008 becoming the winemaker for CrossBarn Winery.  While transforming CrossBarn from a secondary label into a revered brand.  In addition, boasting dedicated vineyards plus a state of the art facility and staff.

After the 2011 harvest, Jason was approached to become the founding winemaker of a new estate project on Howell Mountain.  There, revamping the historic White Cottage Ranch property into a top-tier Napa Valley estate.  Next in early 2015, with the meticulous technical experience under his belt, Jason’s winemaking propensity breached into European varietals.  Finally joining Unti Vineyards.