2019 Old Vines Zinfandel, Giovanetti Vineyard • St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

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2019

Old Vines

Giovanetti Vineyard

Russian River Valley

92 Points | Wine Spectator

Tasting Notes

Bright, succulent fruit aromas emerge from this complex Zinfandel. Enjoy the duality of juicy red fruits and cool minerals in this fruit-forward wine. Cranberry and pomegranate burst on the palate and play with the subtle spice of black pepper and licorice. Russian River Valley soil provides a high acidity and a long, dry finish.

Vintage Notes

We began our 2019 harvest before dawn on August 30. After a growing season that started in winter with record rainfall, the year ended with warm, even temperatures throughout summer. With few spikes in heat over the period, our vineyards had optimal conditions to develop full-flavored fruit with remarkable color and balanced acidity. Spring rains ended in time for good fruit set. The temperate summer allowed for long hang times and even ripening. We picked the majority of our fruit in September. Warm breezy days, but fortunately no rain took place in October and the last of the grapes were harvested before the end of the month.

Vineyard Notes

The historic Giovanetti Vineyard produces one of our most beloved old-vines Zinfandels. Located in the heart of Russian River Valley near Woolsey Road, this small, family-run, 8-acre vineyard was originally planted in Carignane in the late 1800s but was grafted over to Zinfandel and mixed blacks by the Giovanetti family in 1910. Today the vineyard is owned and operated by Phyllis Giovanetti who, at over 80 years old, still does a bit of pruning and oversees a vegetable garden and orchard.

Winemaker Notes

The grapes are hand-sorted and undergo a five-day cold soak before fermentation to extract optimal color and flavor after primary fermentation, the wine is pumped into 100% French oak barrels, where it undergoes natural malolactic fermentation, followed by 14 months of aging before bottling.