Robert Biale Vineyards

4038 Big Ranch Rd, Napa, CA 94558

Website: http://biale.com/

Robert Biale Vineyards is a very intriguing winery on the Silverado Trail.  My husband was recommended to visit here while we were on a tour of another winery because he said he is a big fan of Zinfandel.  If you are a lover of big, bold Zinfandels, this is the winery for you.  This winery does require reservations and closes early at 3 p.m., so plan ahead.

Robert Biale is most well known for their wine called “Black Chicken”. If you are planning to visit this winery, you have to know the story behind “Black Chicken”.  It goes back to the history of Robert Biale’s great grandfather, Pietro Biale.  Pietro owned the ranch where the winery resides today and decided to plant zinfandel vines in 1937 just 4 years after the repeal of prohibition.  Pietro had to work a second job at a rock quarry to make ends meet.  A tragic explosion took his life in 1942, leaving behind his widow Cristina and their 13 year-old son Aldo.  Cristina and Aldo continued to run the ranch producing walnuts, fruits and vegetables.  They also had hundreds of chickens. 

Aldo Biale ran a secret wine operation called “Black Chicken” in the 1940s

In order to supplement the family income, Aldo learned how to make wine from his uncle and started a secret operation selling jugs of Zin to friends.  As word spread and people started calling on their party line to get some of the Zin, the family decided they needed a code name for the wine.  They started with the name “Gallo Nero” (Black Rooster in Italian) which is the symbol for wines from Chianti.  That name changed to “Gallina Nera” (Black Chicken) because the ranch was known for all of its chickens.  Aldo would deliver the “black chicken” orders himself in his 1940 Studebaker on Fridays.  Fast forward several decades, Robert Biale Vineyards was started in 1991 by Aldo’s son Robert (Bob) in partnership with his dad and two other partners. 

This is a modest winery in a barn nestled in the vineyards of the Oak Knoll appellation.  They have a small, minimal tasting bar located inside the barn.  There were more seating areas outdoors on the back deck with several picnic tables right next to the vineyard.  It was a peaceful setting sipping wine right next to the vines.  This is definitely for Zinfandel fans.  Their wines are big and bold.  Although their claim to fame is the Zinfandel, they also produce a Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Barbera.  I loved that it was a unique experience in Napa.  There are not many places that specialize in Zin only.  I am glad we received the recommendation to visit.    

The outdoor seating area at Robert Biale Vineyards