Simi Wines- Celebrating 140 Years of Winemaking

In 1849, Giuseppe and Pietro Simi left the Tuscan hills of Italy. They had heard of fortunes being made in the goldfields of California, USA.  Having been unsuccessful in the gold rush, they turned their attention to produce and found their proverbial gold mine in grapes. Having grown up in the fields surrounding Montepulciano it was only natural.

By 1876, the brothers had founded Simi and were producing wine selling it largely by lots in San Francisco. The wine was transported by wagon and up and down the Petaluma River after they purchased in 1881, the old Deport Winery in Healdsburg.

1890 marked the very first harvest and production in what is the present-day winery and stone cellars.

Flash forward to 1904, with 20 plus years of prosperity the Simi family made fine fortunes, then tragedy struck, influenza took both brothers just four years apart. Many of the operations had been already handed over to the legendary Isabelle Simi, the 18-year-old daughter of Giuseppe. She quickly established what was to become a long history of female leadership at Simi. She immediately began to expand the cellars and production all the while completing her coursework and graduation from what was then the Santa Rosa Business College. In 1906 a great earthquake hit the Bay Area, including Sonoma County. Due to Isabelle’s winery improvements, the buildings were left intact. By 1908 Isabelle was traveling the country promoting Simi, working with distributors across the nation, putting Simi way ahead of the pack.

1919, Prohibition. At the time there were 256 wineries in operation in Sonoma, 14 years later 206 had closed, not Simi. Prohibition meant Isabelle couldn’t make wine in general, but she could make and cellar sacramental wine and while her neighbors were dumping wine she was able to cellar vast amounts. In order to hold on to the winery, however, she had to sell the vineyards. When Volstead Act was repealed, she was one the few able to meet the demands of the public and Simi could be found in all of the finest establishments in the States.

 This history makes Simi one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in the United States.

Meet the Wines:

2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

Toasty oak frames and adds depth to dark fruit aromas of blackberry, plum, and black cherry, leading into intriguing notes of cocoa, cassis, pepper berry, and cedar. Pairs well with grilled steaks with roasted mushrooms, Moroccan spiced lamb, and braised duck breast with carrot puree.

2018 Landslide Cabernet Sauvignon

A dark, dense, and delicious bottle of wine that truly delivers. A rich aroma of red fruit on the nose combines with scents of chocolate, spice, and blackberries. On the palate, this wine is a well-rounded mouthfeel, with flavors of cranberries and cherries mixed with oak and spice. Pulling the wine together is a balanced play between tannin and acidity. 

2016 Rebel Cask Red Blend

A Prohibition-style wine that first draws you in with aromas of blackberry bramble, black licorice, dried orange peel, aromatic tea leaf, and cardamom.  This succulent Red Blend delivers flavors bursting with blackberry, plum, and tart cherry.  Once this wine is ready to age, select lots are put in previously used Rye Whiskey barrels to impart rich and spiced flavors.

2018 Sonoma County Chardonnay

The hue of this Chardonnay is a brilliant light straw color. The nose opens with expressive notes of citrus, lemon peel, crème brûlée, and honey. It all comes together on the palate with yellow apple, lemons, roasted marshmallow, and hazelnut. The mouthfeel balances a vivid acidity with a cool minerality on the finish.

2019 Sauvignon Blanc

Fresh and forward, zesty flavors of apricot and grapefruit, lemon zest, with subtle white flower notes meld beautifully with brilliant acidity.  Fresh, full, and vibrant, the finish is long and lingering with cool minerality,  Simi Winery Executive Chef Kolin Vazzoler suggests pairing this wine with pasta pesto, goat cheese with olives, barbequed shrimp, vegetable stir fry, and roast chicken. 

2019 Dry Rosé

A perfect Rosé night! A mild nose greets you, but that is about all that is mild. On the mid-palate, the wine displays lots of light red berries, quite a melange of flavors. On the medium-length finish, the wine displays some nice smooth tannins and acidity. This is a surprisingly complex Rose.

Visit our store and one of our staff members will help you make the perfect selection today!