2025 Sonoma County Barrel Auction Lots Announced
Wine Trade and Media Will Attend Events May 1-2
Sonoma County Vintners and presenting sponsor American AgCredit are thrilled to announce the auction lots for the 11th annual Sonoma County Barrel Auction. (SoCoBA) The live auction events, exclusively for the wine trade and media, will be held for the first time at Landmark Vineyards Hop Kiln Estate on Friday, May 2, 2025. Members of the wine trade with a valid resale license may register to attend the live auction events. Proxy bidding is available for trade who are unable to attend in person.
“Our world-class vintners have once again created imaginative Never Before, Never Againwines exclusively for our Sonoma County Barrel Auction to share with trade attendees,” said Sonoma County Vintners Executive Director Michael Haney. “These wines are only available at SoCoBA and generate excitement among consumers for their creativity, rarity and exquisite quality.”
The diversity of Sonoma County wine is reflected in the array of auction lots including sparkling wine, Chardonnay, Rosé, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Zinfandel, as well as a special selection of exciting red blends. The Extra Brut sparkling wine “Ocho Reserva” from Gloria Ferrer rested on its lees for nearly a decade and was disgorged only when it was truly ready. A one-of-a-kind Pinot Noir named “The Ringmaster” from CIRQ features a blend from the Koplen and Graham Vineyards. “Sightlines” is a single-block Pinot Noir from the highest elevations of Sea View Ridge coastal estate from Flowers Vineyards & Winery.
It’s all about location, location, location in this year’s lots from Alexander Valley. The exclusive Cabernet Sauvignon lot from Aperture Cellars was sourced from one of the steepest hillside vineyards in their portfolio, “Block D” of the Del Rio Vineyard. “Essence of Estate” from Silver Oak was a unique opportunity to blend Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from their estate vineyards. Fruit from blocks 4 and 5 of “Fredson Ranch” were chosen to create a classic Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by Ridge Vineyards. The grapes used in “Pocket Peak” were grown on the highest elevation site from which Skipstone makes wine, located in the eastern highlands of Alexander Valley.
A collection of ravens is known as a ‘conspiracy’—making it the perfect word to describe “The Conspiracy” Zinfandel, a collaboration between legendary Ravenswood founder, Joel Peterson, and its acclaimed current winemaker, Michael Eddy-Cort. The Italian heritage at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery provided inspiration for “Vivo Italiano,” an exciting Super Tuscan style Sangiovese and Syrah red blend.
Collaborative auction lots allow winemakers to join forces in passion projects and include “Terra Rossa,” a Pinot Noir from Cohn Vineyard, born from a special partnership between two incredible winemakers, Jeff Mangahas of Williams Selyem and Mike Sullivan of Benovia Winery. “A Lorenzo Legacy” from Landmark Vineyards and Marchelle Wines, highlights the legacy of Chardonnay from the historic Lorenzo Vineyard. “Tio Dieci,” another special Chardonnay lot, honors the more than 10 generations combined of the iconic farming families of Mauritson Wines and Sangiacomo Family Wines. “Fellowship of the Panther” from Joseph Jewell Wines, Panther Ridge Wines and Brooks Note Winery is an amazing Pinot Noir from Panther Ridge Vineyard in the windswept Petaluma Gap.
These first-time SoCoBA participants have included special lots for the 2025 auction and will be exciting new discoveries for trade attendees: Elaine Wines, Naidu Wines, Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm Winery, Tamber Bey Vineyards and Vaughn Duffy.
The auction events will kick off with an all-inclusive lot tasting preview event for the wine trade and media on May 1 at Bacchus Landing, a venue featuring a collective of wineries and experiences located in Healdsburg, California.
Proceeds raised from the Sonoma County Barrel Auction assist in creating Sonoma County Vintners marketing programs and initiatives that support the wine trade and community.
