La Rocca Vineyards (Back to Previous Page)

Appellation: Butte County Location: Highway 32 Forest Ranch, California 95942 Phone: (530)889-9463 Winemaker: Philip La Rocca Tasting Room: Small Days/Hours: Friday 1:30 to 6 pm, Sat & Sun 12 to 6 pm Parking: Small Picnic Facilities: N/A Red Wines: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Barbera, Zinfandel, Lush Zinfandel - Port Style White Wines: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, White Zinfandel Production: N/A

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The Winery

La Rocca is a family owned and operated business with two generations working in various phases of the process. The tasting room is located in wonderfully eclectic downtown Forest Ranch, on the road to Mt. Lassen National Park, 16 miles east of Chico. The winery is 4.1 miles from the tasting room (further east on highway 32).

The Vineyards

The estate consists of 200 acres of certified organic vineyards. The main vineyard, located at the winery site, is on the rich volcanic soils of Mt. Lassen, at the 2600 foot elevation. The vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The second vineyard is 85 acres located at the foot of the Sutter Buttes, the world’s smallest mountain range (though many believe it was formerly a part of the Cascades). It is planted to Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Chenin Blanc. The estate prides itself on low yield vineyards producing small cluster grapes with a high skin to juice ratio.

The Wines

The first wines were produced in 1984. There are no sulfites or chemicals used in the process of making these wines. The Lush Zinfandel (which is a late harvest Zin), has been a particular favorite as a wine competition entrant. It has nice acidity levels and complex flavors balanced nicely against the naturally high sugar.

The Winemaker

Philip La Rocca is a dedicated organic vintner. He prides himself on the production of certified organic grapes used to produce wines with no sulfites or chemicals of any kind. 

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