Review: Wines of Limerick Lane, 2026 Releases
Limerick Lane Cellars is a boutique winemaking operation in Sonoma with a distinct focus on zinfandel, where some of the state’s most-prized expressions of the grape are broken. Its owner, Karen Francis DeGolia, took an unusual route to Limerick’s current stewardship: She was the original life partner of the original founder of the winery, but after his untimely death she moved to Detroit and worked at GM and Ford as one of the youngest female executives in the automotive industry. Eventually she made her way back to California and reclaimed ownership of the winery, expanding it to its current 53 acres.
We received a selection of four wines (one white, three red) in current release from Limerick Lane. Thoughts follow.
2024 Limerick Lane Failte Russian River Valley – A blend of 70% viognier and 30% grenache blanc; it sure doesn’t taste it. Six barrels of this delicate goldenrod wine were made, and the results are fantastic: Lightly honeyed orange blossoms lead the way to a palate that eventually evokes flavors of quince, Meyer lemon, and candied grapefruit. The heavy floral-apricot notes iconic to viognier are fairly absent until the finish, where a lemon-laced dusting of honeysuckle awaits. A- / $38
2022 Limerick Lane Estate Cuvee Russian River Valley – 66% zinfandel, 25% syrah, 9% petite sirah. The blend here is effective, with plum and raspberry notes dominating the attack, chocolate and raisin building with time in glass. An edge of green tea and vanilla ice cream inform a quite lengthy finish, with things turning sharper and more balsamic the longer it sits on the palate. A finish that melds rhubarb and raspberry jam lingers forever. A- / $92
2022 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley – A clean and vibrantly fruity zinfandel, exuberant with notes of blueberry, currants, and plump raisins. Chewy at first and decidedly sweet, the wine layers in late-game notes of chocolate and vanilla, but both are reserved in comparison to the bold fruit overtones of the wine. A slightly balsamic note on the finish takes the wine in a somewhat different direction, with some healthy acidity that thins things out on the back end. B+ / $46
2022 Limerick Lane Zinfandel 1910 Block Russian River Valley – From a small block of ancient vines on the estate, just 13 barrels produced. Inky purple with overtones of prune and dark chocolate, this 15.1% abv monster approaches a Port-like quality, though a balsamic acidity keeps it from falling into the realm of dessert. Chocolate notes dominate as the finish builds, with spiced cherry notes emerging alongside a substantial cinnamon character. Quite the powerhouse — just mind your consumption given the booziness. A- / $68
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