BACA Wines in Healdsburg
Explore their multi-generational wine line-up.
Family-owned BACA wines celebrates the adventure and exploration of wine. In particular, BACA showcases heritage vineyards, the ones that have been passed down from generation to generation, and the pedigree of Zinfandel, California’s native wine grape with rich history grown and made by generations of families across the state.
The award-winning wines are presented in a casual atmosphere, with fun and games (literally) the hallmark of a tasting at BACA. In fact, visitors will find wines named Tug-o-War, Home Base, Somersault, and Ring Around the Rosé—playful names for seriously delicious wines.
BACA sources grapes from Calistoga, Russian River, Rockpile, Howell Mountain, and Paso Robles, always seeking “intriguing fruit” to create exceptional wines that reflect their unique terroir.
High quality old vine Zinfandels are valued for their wines. Winemaker Alison Frichtl explains that vines 50 years or older yield fewer grape bunches with more intense flavors of cherry, blackberry, raspberry preserves, and blood orange. Soft, concentrated wines that balance fruit, tannin, and acidity are the result.
BACA offers tastings of their wines, plus HALL and WALT wines which are part of their family-owned collection. HALL Napa Valley wines are famed for Cabernet Sauvignon, whereas WALT specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Vintner Jennifer Brown, daughter of Vintner Kathryn Walt Hall, launched BACA Wines in 2018, focusing on Zinfandel and naming her brand after the Latin word for “berry,” in honor of the lush California grape.
“We are passionate about making authentic, complex and beautiful wines from prestigious vineyards and we take all the care in the world to make sure that you will love the wines we make. As a third generation vintner, I take great pride in the wines we produce and the experience you have when you come to visit us.
Let us wow you with our beautifully-made wines and stellar winery and tasting room. At BACA, we believe life is about the adventure,” said BACA Wines Vintner, Jennifer Brown.
Visiting BACA
BACA’s tasting room, located in the lovely Sonoma County town of Healdsburg, features vineyard views and world class art, the perfect setting for enjoying their wines. The modern tasting room offers indoor tastings or outdoor seating on its spacious wraparound patio surrounded by its estate vineyard.
The winery is open every day from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. Reservations are recommended, and walk-ins are welcome. The winery requests an advance call for parties of six or more guests.
With the “Signature Flight,” guests can choose four wines including BACA Zinfandels or selections from the family’s other wineries: WALT Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, and HALL Cabernet or Sauvignon Blanc.
An experienced wine educator guides guests through the tasting in the winery’s casual atmosphere. The cost is $25 per person Monday-Thursday, and $35 Friday and Saturday. (complimentary for wine club members.)
The “Family Portfolio Tasting” includes six wines from the family’s portfolio that covers all of the major varietals they grow and produce, including popular flagship wines. Guests have an opportunity to learn more about the differences between varietals and regions while they enjoy wine country’s best. The cost is $50 per person and $30 for wine club members.
The “BACA Sensory Experience” combines a wine tasting with a one-of-a-kind game that tests guests’ taste buds. In this fun and friendly (and educational) competition, guests try to match flavor descriptors with the tastes they experience in the wines in addition to bragging rights.
The winner even wins a prize.
The cost is $65 per person and $45 for wine club members.
The decadent “Chocolate & Wine Pairing” expertly pairs five red wines with handcrafted artisanal chocolates from local chocolatier, Fleur Sauvage Chocolates. This popular tasting demonstrates how wine and chocolate flavors complement each other. The cost is $55 per person and $35 for wine club members.
BACA welcomes your pets both inside their art-filled tasting room and on their outdoor patio. Members are invited to picnic at the vineyard with a minimum bottle purchase.
BACA Wines
BACA’s wines are complex, pairing well with food and representing a variety of growing regions from Napa Valley to California’s Central Coast.
Among the current releases are the 2021 BACA Home Base Zinfandel, featuring Dry Creek Valley grapes from vines between 40 and 70 years old and the 2021 BACA Tug ‘O War Zinfandel, sourced from the Russian River Valley’s Maffei Vineyard where grapes were planted in 1929 and 1949.
Grapes from the Howell Mountain AVA created the 2021 BACA I Spy Zinfandel, and the Calistoga AVA grapes went into the 2021 BACA Marbles Zinfandel.
In addition to Zinfandel, BACA offers the 2021 Pinch Hitter Petite Sirah, a blend of grapes from Paso Robles and Zinfandel for added body, color, and structure. The 2022 BACA Ring Around the Rosé canned wines are made from Zinfandel grapes and display notes of red raspberry, cantaloupe, and Yakima cherry.
When you visit BACA to taste their wines, you’ll find more than delicious examples of California wines, so make time to enjoy the playful atmosphere and welcoming staff. Games like Cornhole, Jenga, and Connect Four add fun to the experience.
Or if you prefer, you can relax and enjoy their art collection paired with views of their newly planted vineyards. Either way, BACA provides a memorable setting for tasting their outstanding wines.
