Rancho Bello
Albert Bello’s vineyard sits on a northwestern ridge above Green Valley, one of the sub-appellations of the Russian River Valley. This high point, at an elevation of 800 feet, is a “banana belt” of sorts, receiving more sunshine and warmth and averaging 8 to 10 degrees higher in temperature than adjacent areas. Groundwater is scarce, but rainfall is at least double the amount received in the nearby communities of Sebastopol and Santa Rosa, giving the vineyard a great head start in the spring.
Soils are Goldridge series, mostly sand and loam. Dry farming amplifies the stress of this somewhat marginal soil, making many of Rancho Bello’s vines look older and more gnarled than their age. The clusters of Zinfandel hang for what seems like an eternity in this cool, stressed environment.