Sutter Home Winery

What it is

Sutter Home Winery is one of the largest family-run independent wineries in the United States, and is the estate known for the creation of White Zinfandel. It is located in St. Helena, California and owned by Trinchero Family Estates.

Key facts

What it is

winery source

Country

United States source

In the maker's own words

Our Sutter Home Family has been making a variety of wines “for the people” for over three generations. Our mission has always been to create deliciously affordable wines so everyone can enjoy a taste of the good life every day, and live their own version of the American Dream.

Origin and history

In 1874 the Swiss-German immigrant John Thomann established a small winery and distillery in St. Helena in central Napa County, California. After his death, the winery and Victorian home beside it were sold to another Swiss family, the Leunbergers, who renamed the estate Sutter Home. As with most Napa Valley wineries, Sutter Home was shut down during Prohibition.

How it is made

Sutter Home's White Zinfandel production increased from 25,000 cases in 1981 to 1.3 million in 1986. In 2004, Trinchero Family Estates winery produced about 10 million cases a year, with Sutter Home White Zinfandel being 95% of those unit sales. Sutter Home Winery produces 21 varietal wines including Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, White Zinfandel, White Merlot, Gewürztraminer, Chenin blanc, Moscato, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Red Blend, Pinot noir, Pinot grigio, Sweet Red, Red Moscato, Moscato Sangria, Pink Moscato, Riesling Moscato, Sweet Riesling, Rosé, and Sangria, as of 2020.