Leading wine trade publication, Wine Business Monthly, announces Eden Rift among brands that define the American wine industry and the trends that shaped the year 2020
March 16th – Cienega Valley, CA – Eden Rift, under vine since 1849, has been named among Wine Business Monthly’s “Hot Brands of 2020”. In a year defined by a global pandemic and political unrest, Eden Rift, nonetheless gained national distribution during an unprecedented and challenging time. Much of that had to do with the assistance of marketing group, Scale. Eden Rift also made great strides in building awareness for its estate tasting room, located in the remote reaches of the Cienega Valley AVA. Built in 1906, the estate’s tasting room is situated inside the historic Dickinson House. Though closed to the public for much of 2020, Eden Rift saw an increase in its DTC-channel sales, as well as an uptick in wine club members. “We highlighted those that tried a new variety in an established region, used new winemaking techniques, bucked the deceleration trend, or voiced an unpopular opinion for the sake of moving the industry forward,” said Wine Business Monthly’s Erin Kirschenmann, regarding how the hot brand were chosen. Among them are Bodega Pierce, Cheramie Wine, Devium WIne, Parra Wine Co., Sharrot WInerry, Scheid Family Wines, Sokol Bosser Winery and Wade Cellars.
Located in the Cienega Valley AVA, in the shadow of the Gavilan Mountain, Eden Rift produces limestone-borne Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and old vine Zinfandel; the still-thriving Zinfandel block was planted in 1906, the same year the estate home was built. Established in 2016 by San Francisco native Christian Pillsbury, Eden Rift rose quickly in prominence among consumers and the trade for its terroir-driven wines. Winemaker Cory Waller, who grew up in Hollister, favors wines with bright acidity. His measured use of oak allows the typicity of the estate’s various grape varieties to shine through.
“That we received this honor during a global pandemic is really a testament to our staff and their commitment to the estate; our customer base whom we discovered were even more loyal than we knew, and Scale, the marketing group that represents us nationally,” says Pillsbury of the distinction.
More recently, the estate’s Dickinson House has reopened to the public and is currently accepting reservations for tastings in advance. CDC protocols remain in place at the estate, ensuring the safety and health of the staff and visitors.
To learn more about Eden Rift, please visit www.edenrift.com.
