Skip to content
Checkout
Certified California Sustainable Vineyard & Winery
  • Wines
    • Shop All Wines
    • Our Wine Collections
      • Shop by Collection
        • Artisan Collection
        • Icon Collection
        • Reserve Collection
        • Classic Collection
    • Shop by Varietal
      • Zinfandel
      • Cabernet Sauvignon
      • Merlot
      • Pinot Noir
      • Other Reds
      • Port
        • The Ruby Allocation
      • White Wines
    • 90+ Point Wines
    • Large Formats
    • Wine Club Exclusives
    • Tasting Notes
    • Pairing Recipes
    • Save’N Sip Subscriptions
  • Gifts
    • Gift Sets & More
    • Etched Bottles
    • eGift Cards
  • Experiences
    • Plan a Visit
    • Wine & Food Pairings
      • Seasonal Menu
      • Reservations
    • New Wine Experience ‘Secrets of Sonoma’
    • Trolley Tours
    • Tasting Flights
    • Member Tastings
    • Group Tastings
    • Visitation Guidelines
  • Wine Club
    • Memberships
    • Club Schedule
    • Wine Club Support
      • Account Assistance
        • How to Customize a Club Release
      • FAQ
    • Referral Program
    • Member Portal
      • Member Tastings
      • Club Release
        • Pick-up Reservations
      • Shop Club Exclusives
      • Benefits
        • Explore All Benefits
        • Entertainment & Lodging
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Private Events
    • Weddings
    • Virtual Tour
    • Blessing of the Animals
  • Our Story
    • Contact
    • Giving Back
      • Canine Companions®
      • Joe Martin Day of Service
    • Our Wines
      • Technical Info
      • Accolades
      • Pairing Recipes
    • Wine Journal
    • Our Team
    • Estate Vineyards
    • Trade
      • Trade Wines
      • Trade Tools & Assets
      • Find Retailer
      • Importers
      • Wholesale Contact
    • Sustainability
    • Career Opportunities
BACK
  • 2018

'Caro Santo', Sangiovese

  • Sonoma Valley
Caro Santo, Sonoma Valley

Tasting Notes

This jovial red wine presents a medium-bodied structure highlighted with scents of ripe mulberry, mission fig and cinnamon. The palate delights with easy-drinking notes of black cherry and milk chocolate taming a brighter acidity. Its herbaceous undertones are cordial-like with a spritz of citrus peel. The finish is playfully charismatic, soft and broad in its tannins.

Vintage Notes

2018 provided an ideal climate allowing time for the grapes to ripen to their optimum flavor structure. The year presented a fairly mild growing season with few heat spikes, inspiring winemakers to push harvest back a few weeks. This longer time on the vine was great for grapes and the mild temperatures kept the fruit from over-ripening. More than an inch of rain fell in early October in many locations, but there was little impact on the quality of the fruit. 2018 could be remembered as one of the longest and most desirable seasons in years, producing exceptional quality grapes throughout Sonoma County.

Vineyard Notes

Fruit from this Super Tuscan-style wine is sourced from exquisite vineyards on the south-facing slopes of Sonoma Valley. The red volcanic soil and excellent drainage produce small yields of intense, highly concentrated fruit. The name Caro Santo or Dear Saint honors our namesake St. Francis of Assisi.

Winemaker Notes

In the spirit of our Italian heritage, this super Tuscan-inspired blend was made to reflect its traditional characteristics. Notoriously slow to ripen, the Sangiovese grapes were picked at the end of September and put into a combination of open-top & closed-top tanks to produce a better aroma and texture. The fruit was later combined with Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma Valley. Both tanks underwent a 3-day cold soak before inoculation, and slow fermentation.

Caro Santo, Sonoma Valley
Web Store
WINEMAKER

Katie Madigan

COLLECTION

Artisan Collection

GRAPE VARIETIES
89% Sangiovese
11% Cabernet Sauvignon
ALCOHOL
14.9 %
CASES PRODUCED
850
AGING
15 Months
Bottling Date
April 2020
Barrel
100% Neutral French Oak

Related Products, Recipes & Trade Tools

Caro Santo, Sonoma Valley

2017 Sangiovese “Caro Santo”, Sonoma Valley

Accolades

95 Points | Press Democrat North Coast Challenge | July 2020
93 Points | International Women's Wine Competition | June 2019
Double Gold Medal | Press Democrat North Coast Challenge | July 2020
Gold Medal | International Women's Wine Competition | June 2019

Food Pairing

Braised Pork Shoulder

Braised Pork Shoulder

Food Pairing

chicken dish

Butter and Herb Roasted Chicken

Caro Santo, Sonoma Valley

2019 ‘Caro Santo’ Sangiovese

Caro Santo, Sonoma Valley

2020 ‘Caro Santo’ Sangiovese, Sonoma Valley

Food Pairing

tomato burrata tomato burrata risotto tomato risotto

Tomato & Burrata Risotto

Caro Santo, Sonoma Valley

2021 Sangiovese “CARO SANTO”, Sonoma Valley

Accolades

90 Pts | Sunset International Wine Competition
Gold Medal | Sunset International Wine Competition

Caro Santo, Sonoma Valley

2022 Sangiovese, ‘Caro Santo’, Sonoma Valley

Food Pairing

Eggplant Meatballs

Eggplant Albóndigas

CALL or TEXT

(707) 833-0254

Subscribe to News & Offers

Marketing communications may be in the form of email, text message or phone.

READ PRIVACY POLICY

  • Trade
  • Accolades
  • Find Retailer
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Accessibility
100 Pythian Road at Hwy. 12 Santa Rosa, CA 95409
+1 (707) 833-0242
Open Daily | 10 AM – 5 PM | Holiday Hours
© 2025 St. Francis Winery & Vineyards. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy