Dry Creek Valley through Rosé-Colored Lenses

rose shades of pink collage wine summer

While we love rosé in every season, we’re delighted to have entered the time of year in which it’s en vogue to drink it. According to Nielsen, the United States accounts for 13% of all rosé consumed worldwide. With its diverse microclimates and soil types, Dry Creek Valley is producing a lovely range of rosé wines in different styles and shades of pink.

Here’s a little guide to some of rosés you can enjoy this season, in the two most common styles you’ll find in Dry Creek Valley.

Dry Rosé of Zinfandel

Zinfandel rosés from Dry Creek Valley are complex and usually dry, hand-crafted small-batch wines. Decidedly Californian in style, these sunny sippers are fantastic picnic accompaniments, and taste great alone or with anything from hot dogs to salmon rillettes.

Try them now:

Dry Creek Vineyard 2014 Petite Zin – A blend of zinfandel and petite sirah, mouthwatering berry flavors lead into a nuanced melange of spices.

Martorana Dry Rosé of Zinfandel – In its second release, this supple rose comes from organic grapes and tastes like summer in a glass.

Pedroncelli 2014 Dry Rosé of Zinfandel – Now in its 58th release, this local classic is a perfect party wine. Its refreshing finish lingers between tartness and fruitiness.

Truett-Hurst Salmon Run Zinfandel Rosé – Lively aromas of peach, berries, and blossoms make this quencher ideal for a creek-side picnic at the winery.

Provençal-style Rosé

The only country drinking more rosé than the U.S. is France, and Provence is one region most known for its mineral-driven, pale pink palate pleasers. To make these wines, they use a blend of red grapes commonly found in the Mediterranean–grenache, syrah, mourvedre, cinsault, carignan, and more. Thanks to a similar climate, these grapes grow magnificently in Dry Creek Valley, where you’ll find them in beautiful red blends and tasty French-influenced rosés.

Try them now:

Kokomo Grenache Rosé – This 100% grenache wine from Pauline’s Vineyard is deliciously juicy with vibrant acidity and substantial minerality. At only 12.7% alcohol, it makes a good wine for brunch.

Pasterick Rosé of Syrah – This wine sees 8 months in French oak, resulting in a richer rose than most. Distinctly floral aromas open into ripe berry flavors and a hint of vanilla.

Preston Vin Gris – A hallmark wine at Preston, made from cinsault and mourvedre picked just for this wine. Approachable flavors of strawberry and peach lead to an undercurrent of exotic spices.

Unti Rosé – Made from a blend of grenache and mourvedre, the latest vintage of Unti Rose is more savory than past vintages, for a full-bodied wine “that can handle a much wider variety of foods than your average white wine,” says winemaker Mick Unti.