Jeff Runquist, former Winemaker for Montevina Wines, is the maker of several very fine varietal wines, including Zinfandel and a robust Sangiovese. The grapes come from special heritage vineyards and the wine is made with a special touch.

His best known wine is "Z." This is a "full-throttle" zinfandel, made from grapes from the historic Massoni Ranch in Amador's Shenandoah Valley. This vineyard has Zinfandel vines more than 100 years old. The vineyard is dry farmed -- no irrigation -- which streses the vines into producing intense flavors, reflecting the composition of the soil which in this case is decomposed Sierra granite.

We also carry Jeff's Sangiovese and Barbera, and both have strong reflections of the soil and growing conditions.

Jeff Runquist has made wine on the Central Coast, Napa, and in Amador County. He was Winemaker for J. Lohr Winery in San Jose, and became Monevina's Winemaker in 1982. He started winemaking under his own name in 1986.