A Taste of Predator and Scott Family Estate Wines from Rutherford Wine Company 

Rutherford Wine Company, based in Napa Valley’s Rutherford AVA, makes wine from Napa Valley and beyond. Their California portfolio includes Rutherford Ranch, Scott Family Estate, Predator, TORCIA, Rhiannon, Round Hill and Four Virtues. Today we are tasting wines from Predator and Scott Family Estate, which we received as tasting samples.

Rutherford Wine Company (RWC) is owned and managed by the Zaninovich family, who have a long history of farming in various parts of California. Rutherford Ranch Winery is located on the original site of Round Hill Winery, founded by Ernie Van Asperen, Virginia Van Asperen and Charlie Abela in 1978, according to the RWC website. In 2000, Marko and Theo Zaninovich purchased the winery when the founders retired. The Zaninovich family has since replanted the vineyard and renovated the tasting room. Both the original owners of Round Hill and the Zaninovich family have an interesting backstory, which you can find documented in detail on The Napa Wine Project website.

Predator

Predator might conjure visions of lions and leopards unless you’re thinking in terms of a natural defense against damaging vineyard pests, then Predator could describe the roll of ladybugs in the vineyard. The Zaninovich family chose ladybugs as a nod to their commitment to sustainable viticultural practices; the Rutherford Ranch Winery and estate vineyard are certified sustainable by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. The combination of Predator on the label, the ladybug graphic and the tagline “What’s good for the vine is good for the wine” drives home the point. It’s an appealing label for very appealing, affordable wines with modest alcohol. Both wines are sourced from California’s North Coast AVA, which encompasses over 6 million acres in Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties, and both are 100% varietal wines.

2024 Predator Loveliness Sauvignon Blanc, North Coast, California  — very pale yellow with aromas of green apples, citrus and cut grass. Flavors include citrus, stone fruit, oat hay and gravelly minerality all supported by juicy acidity. 13.5% ABV, SRP $15

2024 Predator Ladybird Chardonnay, North Coast, California — light yellow with aromas of pears and citrus. Flavors include citrus and stone fruit with juicy acidity. 13.5% ABV, SRP $15

Scott Family Estate

Scott Family Estate wines are sourced from a Zaninovich family vineyard in the Arroyo Seco AVA in Monterey county. The Scott name comes from a family ancestor. Growing conditions are perfect in Arroyo Seco for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a cool extended growing season and gravelly soils.

2024 Scott Family Estate Pinot Noir, Dijon Clone, Arroyo Seco, Monterey — translucent ruby with aromas of dark cherries, blackberries and berry brambles. Flavors include raspberries, tart blackberries, tart cherries and earthy brambles. Tannins are smooth in a barely medium body. 13.4% ABV, SRP $45

Thanks to Rutherford Wine Company for organizing our tasting.

Cheers!