Our Wines

Rucksack features wines that exhibit the depth and diversity of the Sierra Foothill Appellation.  While our sister winery, Madroña Vineyards, produces 100% estate wines, Rucksack will be scouring the Sierra Foothills for unique examples of fruit expression.

2020 Chenin Blanc—This Estate Grown Chenin Blanc is the ideal balance between rich and vibrant. Partially barrel-fermented in neutral oak, this gives the richness while the stainless fermented portion lends the freshness. Ripe pear and apple characters fill the palate while the lemon citrus provides the finish. COMING SUMMER 2021

2019 Chardonnay—Lusciously rich with tropical characters, this barrel-fermented Chardonnay is all about the fruit. With just 2% Muscat blended in, the ripe peach and pear are lifted up while the hints of cream and an overall tropical essence fill in everywhere else. And there’s a wonderful acidity on the finish that highlights this Chardonnay’s balance!

2020 Barbera Rosé—High-tone raspberry and pie cherry fruit abound in this dry and racy Rosé. All stainless fermentation has retained the fresh berry fruit and the ruby grapefruit characters. Being both rich and vibrant, the Barbera Rosé is the perfect summer food companion.

2019 Mountain Nectar—A blend of small-lot Zinfandel, Nebbiolo and Barbera bleed wines as well as 1% Muscat, this Rosé has a complex set of mixed berry fruit and hints of sweet spice. The texture has more body than many Rosés, focusing on an almost unctuous sensation while always enveloping the palate.

2016 Barbera—Mountain-grown Barbera picked at maturity has a plethora of high-tone fruit characters. Black cherry, raspberry and cranberry dominate the aromas and the palate although we at Rucksack embrace the wonderful acidity. The wine is both bold and lively and perfect with great Italian pasta!

2015 Zinfandel—This Single Vineyard Zinfandel from the Sumu Kaw Vineyards in Pleasant valley shows how great Zin can have intense fruit and spice too. Classic white pepper married in dark blackberry and ripe cherry express the layer complexity of the variety. Add to this the backbone structure of 3,000 ft. vineyards, and we have a great Zin for great food!

2015 ‘The Cache’—The Cache is the term for the hidden food in the tree when one goes backpacking. We feel this idea of a ‘hidden treasure’ aptly describes this blend of five Bordeaux varieties. Based this vintage on Cabernet Sauvignon and a large amount of Malbec and Merlot, the intensity of the brooding cherry fruit pairs beautifully with the wine’s nice supple texture. Geared for dinner or cellaring, The Cache shows its high-elevation beginnings!

2015 Seco—A dry Portuguese blend (Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cão, Alvarelhão and Tinta Amarela), the wild blackberry characters pop in the nose as well in the tastes. Produced in small bins, hand punch-downed and then barrel-aged for nine months, the impressive flavors of fruit and spice simply fill the senses. It’s a wine for the connoisseur who thinks she’s tried everything!

2017 Cabernet Franc—We produce our Estate Grown Cabernet Franc from two clones (214 and 623) we chose just for the Rucksack site. This wine is all black cherries with dense fruit and has amazingly dark color. Yet, there’s still an elegance to the palate which is elevated by the softer tannins on the finish. Ageworthy and approachable, this has quickly become our family favorite!