ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards
Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards was founded in 2005 by Richard Sanford, who made the audacious decision to plant Pinot Noir in what is now the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in 1971. After selling Sanford Winery in 2002, Sanford founded Alma Rosa, centered around his El Jabali estate, which he planted in 1983. An early proponant of organic viticulture, Sanford farmed the El Jabali vineyard organically, a philosophy that continues at Alma Rosa.
Sanford sold the winery to Bob & Barb Zorich in 2014, but stayed on as winemaker and still lives on the propery. The Zorichs are commiteed to carying on Sanford’s vision, and over the years have planted and aquired additional vineyard blocks.
Winemaker Samra Morris took the reigns from Sanford after his retirement in 2020. Born and raised in war-torn Bosnia, Morris says that she still pinches herself every day that she gets to make wine in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Prior to joining Alma Rosa, Samra’s worked three harvests with one of Napa’s most respected consulting winemakers, Thomas Rivers Brown. Through this experience she came to appreciate site-specific farming, high-touch viticulture and thoughtful cellar management. Samra holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in food sciences from The University of Sarajevo. Samra is assisted in the cellar by consulting winemaker Tony Biagi (Duckhorn, PlumpJack, CADE, Sinegal Estate, Hourglass, and To-Kalon Vineyard Co., and Patria)
“At 80 years old, Richard Sanford – one of the founders of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, planting some of its first Pinot Noir vines back in 1971 – beams when he’s thinking of Samra Morris, the winemaker chosen to lead Alma Rosa, a winery he founded in 2005.” – Clive Pursehouse, Decanter, May 16 2024, US West Coast: The New Vanguard
