Those of you that know me know I don’t rush into anything, especially when it comes to wine. So… I guess after hearing of 10 successful BD offerings, it’s time that we join the festivities of Berserker Day 11. Can’t rush into these things you know… And those of you that I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting, please keep reading.
About Us
Scherrer Winery was born from my fondness for alcohol back when I was a teenager. Making a little Zinfandel from the old vines my Grandfather planted in 1912 made me a rock star in High School (the only reason). I knew then what I was going to do with the rest of my life.
I received my degree in Fermentation Sciences at U.C. Davis and then back to the “real world” of wine making to learn where, when, how, and importantly if to apply science to the art of winemaking. This included some early days making wine in Alexander Valley and in Mendocino County. I returned to Sonoma County in 1988, making wine at Dehlinger for 10 years. During this time, I continued to refine my long-time notion that “winemaking revolves around the vineyard”.
With my father’s support [Ed Scherrer of Scherrer Vineyard], and the encouragement of Tom Dehlinger, I began making Zinfandel from my families’ vineyard in 1991. The first vintage consisted of 600 cases. Over the next 5 years, I was able to slowly expand production of Zinfandel as I continued my ‘day job’ as winemaker at Dehlinger. In late 1997, I was at the point that I was able to make the winery a full-time occupation moving into its current location in an insulated metal building just north of Sebastopol. Once in my own place, I was able to include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah and Grenache to the line. I do all of the cellar work myself. I’ve been able to impose on a handful of friends and customers here and there to help during harvest or bottling. We are the only winery in the building which allows me to explore very time-inefficient winemaking. Our annual production is about 5000 cases, about half of that Pinot Noir. Judi, my wife, has handled all the administrative and compliance for the winery since 2002, keeping me out of trouble with bureaucrats and freeing me do what I love to do most.
Berserker Threads
And don’t just take my word for it…
2014 Old & Mature Vines Zinfandel
2012 Old & Mature Vines Zinfandel
2012 Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir
2007 Platt Vineyard Pinot Noir
2013 Old & Mature Vines Zinfandel
2008 Platt Vineyard Pinot Noir
1996 Old & Mature Vines Zinfandel
2004 Fort Ross ‘High Slopes’ Pinot Noir
2015 Shale Terrace Zinfandel