Bella winemaker loves challenge of difficult grape

Zinfandel is an eclectic grape. It can make anything from a slightly sweet pink to an over-extracted, alcoholic fruit bomb.

Joe Healy of Bella Vineyards said the house style he strives for "is balance and easy-going food-friendliness."

Healy is the winemaker behind our wine-of-the-week winner, the Bella Vineyards, 2010 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel at $25.

It's a rustic zin that's ripe but doesn't push the envelope. It's balanced, with aromas and flavors of raspberry, a hint of plum and cracked black pepper.

Bella's alcohol level is 13.7 percent, while riper zins are 15-plus.

Other 4-star-rated contenders in the mixed flight were Raymond Generations, 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 percent alcohol, at $29, and C.G. Di Arie 2009 Interlude, Sierra Foothills, California Red Wine, 14.4 percent, at $25.

Making a zin that strikes a balance is a challenge, Healy said. "In my humble opinion, zinfandel is the hardest grape to grow and the hardest grape to make wine from."

Healy, who studied at Fresno State University, has been working at Bella in Healdsburg since 2001.

"I'm most proud of the fact that here at Bella we have been very successful at creating many lovely zinfandels every year," he said. "The credit for that is the ownership of Lynn and Scott Adams, who stress quality over quantity."

Healy said what makes him a good winemaker is that he has a thick skin, patience, and the ability to handle high stress.

"I can't quite remember when I fell in love with wine, but I can say that the longer I do this for a living, my love of winemaking and all things wine related grows year in and out," Healy said. "I can't imagine doing anything else."

Wine writer Peg Melnik can be reached at 521-5310 or peg.melnik@pressdemocrat.com.