Alexander Valley Vineyards Dry Rose of Sangiovese

Alexander Valley Vineyards Dry Rosé of Sangiovese is a vibrant, dry rosé from Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, bottled at 13.2% ABV in a 750ml format. The 2022 vintage earned a Double Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, establishing it as one of California's standout Sangiovese-based rosés.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.2%  |  Origin: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California  |  Style: Dry Rosé  |  Winery: Alexander Valley Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Alexander Valley Vineyards, a family-owned estate operated by the Wetzel family in the heart of Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, farms a dedicated Sangiovese vineyard exclusively for this rosé. The vines are heavily pruned to promote even ripening while preserving natural acidity and minerality in the fruit. Grapes are gently pressed and held for three hours to extract a precise pink hue, then cold-settled for 48 hours before being racked and inoculated with a French isolate yeast strain. Fermentation proceeds slowly at a cool 50°F, a deliberate technique that protects delicate aromatics and preserves the fresh, fruit-forward character that defines this wine.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose is immediately expressive, with ripe strawberry, guava, and watermelon leading the way. Underneath, notes of raspberry and a subtle thread of fresh mint add complexity and lift.

Taste: The palate opens with juicy watermelon and peach before shifting to a richly textured mid-palate layered with strawberry, mixed berries, and a distinctive minerality. Bright, tangy acidity keeps the wine lively and focused, while hints of lime and rose petal emerge as it opens up in the glass.

Finish: The finish is dry and lingering, with waves of pithy citrus and a touch of spice that carry well beyond the last sip. Medium-bodied and thoroughly refreshing, it closes clean without any residual sweetness.

How to Drink This Rosé

Serve well chilled, ideally between 45–50°F, in a standard wine glass to let the aromatics fully develop. This rosé is built for warm-weather drinking but has enough structure to hold up at the dinner table. It works beautifully in a Frosé, where its watermelon and strawberry notes intensify when blended frozen. Try it in a Rosé Spritz with a splash of sparkling water and a grapefruit twist to highlight its citrus undertones. It also makes an excellent base for a Sangria Rosa, where its stone fruit and berry character melds naturally with fresh summer fruit.

Best For

• Warm-weather patio sessions and outdoor entertaining
• Pairing with a Mediterranean-style dinner spread
• Gifting to a wine lover who appreciates dry, food-friendly rosés
• Stocking a versatile house wine for spring and summer months

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Alexander Valley Vineyards Rosé taste like? It delivers fresh watermelon, strawberry, and peach flavors supported by bright acidity and a dry, mineral-driven finish. The overall impression is tangy, medium-bodied, and thoroughly refreshing.

How does this Rosé compare to Barnard Griffin Rosé of Sangiovese? Both are 100% Sangiovese-based dry rosés, but Alexander Valley Vineyards sources from a dedicated estate vineyard in Sonoma County, while Barnard Griffin draws from Columbia Valley in Washington State. The California bottling tends toward riper stone fruit and a rounder texture, whereas Barnard Griffin often leans slightly more crisp and herbaceous.

Is this Rosé good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the bright acidity, layered fruit, and dry finish make it a compelling standalone sipper, especially when served well chilled on a warm day.

Where is Alexander Valley Vineyards Rosé made? It is produced at Alexander Valley Vineyards, a Wetzel family estate located in the Alexander Valley AVA within Sonoma County, California. The Sangiovese grapes are estate-grown in a vineyard dedicated exclusively to this rosé.

What foods pair well with this Rosé? Grilled shrimp or salmon benefit from the wine's acidity and stone fruit notes. Charcuterie boards with prosciutto and mild cheeses complement its strawberry character. Mediterranean dishes like tabbouleh or Greek salad echo its bright, herbal undertones. Margherita pizza works well thanks to the Sangiovese grape's natural Italian roots, and light chicken dishes with citrus-based sauces mirror its tangy finish.

What sizes does this Rosé come in? It is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is this Rosé worth the price? It positions as a premium everyday rosé that consistently punches above its price tier, as evidenced by its Double Gold medals and 90-point Wine Enthusiast rating — accolades rarely seen at this value level.

Why Alexander Valley Vineyards Rosé?

What separates this wine from the crowded rosé category is intentionality: Alexander Valley Vineyards farms a vineyard solely for this bottling, a level of dedication uncommon for rosé production. The slow, cold fermentation at 50°F preserves aromatics that many warmer-fermented rosés lose, yielding a wine with genuine complexity rather than simple fruit punch. Double Gold medals at both the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the California State Fair, along with 93 points from Tastings.com and 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, confirm that this is not an afterthought rosé but a serious expression of Sangiovese in a pink glass. For drinkers seeking a dry, estate-grown California rosé with real structure and verifiable critical acclaim, few bottles in this range deliver as consistently.