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
      • For the Foodie
        • 5 Wines with Fine Dining Pairings
        • 4 Wines with Hearty Snacks
      • For Groups
        • Seated with Food | Parties 4-12
        • Large Party Tastings | Parties 9-20
    • 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
      • Blessing of the Animals
    • Private Events
    • Weddings
    • Virtual Tour
  • 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
  • 2021

Old Vines, Zinfandel

Anacleto Vineyard

  • Russian River Valley

93 points | Wine Spectator

Tasting Notes

This Old Vines Zinfandel captivates with aromas of mixed berry pie, chocolate-covered cherries, and caramel, intertwined with ripe red and black fruits like raspberry, blackberry, and cherry. The palate features velvety tannins and vibrant cranberry notes, balanced by lively acidity. A long, spicy finish with hints of jammy dark plum, anise, and subtle sarsaparilla adds complexity, making for a richly satisfying experience.

Vintage Notes

The 2021 growing season saw near-perfect growing conditions. With minimal winter rain, the vines were awakened with ideal moderate springtime temperatures, eliminating any frost threat to the developing buds. At most sites, fruit set was during the optimal timeframe due to warm, consistent conditions. Veraison occurred 7-10 days earlier than in previous years due to the temperate weather and minimal rain. Moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights throughout the summer months, with a few of the regular short-lived heat spikes, allowing for excellent flavor development. The year saw an early harvest, with 90% of the region’s grapes being picked before the late Fall.

Vineyard Notes

This small production wine starts with grapes just a short walk south of Healdsburg, near the banks of the Russian River. This select 2-acre block of heritage Zinfandel vines consisting of two main blocks, a 50-year-old ‘Trellised’ block and a 100-year-old ‘Head-Pruned’ block that produces small yields of exceptional fruit bursting with ripe, concentrated flavor. The blend of this 2021 vintage is made up of 37% from the older head-pruned block and 62% from the trellised block.

Winemaker Notes

All grapes are hand-picked, hand-sorted, and undergo a five-day cold soak to extract optimal color and flavor. After primary fermentation, the wine is pumped into French oak barrels, where it undergoes natural malolactic fermentation during its elevage before bottling.

Web Store
WINEMAKER

Katie Madigan

COLLECTION

Artisan Collection

GRAPE VARIETIES
99% Zinfandel, 1% Petite Sirah
ALCOHOL
15.1 %
CASES PRODUCED
310
AGING
14 Months
Bottling Date
March 2023
Barrel
French Oak, 20% New

Related Products, Recipes & Trade Tools

Reserve Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley

Reserve Zinfandel

Trade Assets
Reserve Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley

2018 Reserve Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley

Accolades

92 Points | Wine Spectator
91 Points | Connoisseur's Guide

Old Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma County

“Old Vines” Zinfandel

Trade Assets
Old Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma County

2018 Old Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma County

Accolades

91 Pts | Wine Spectator | March 2021
98 Pts | International Women's Wine Competition | May 2021
Best of Class | International Women's Wine Competition | May 2021
Double Gold Medal | International Women's Wine Competition | May 2021

Food Pairing

chicken and vegitables

Chicken Thighs, Harissa, Potatoes and Peppers

Food Pairing

plum dessert

Plum Tarte Tatin with Crème Fraiche

Zinfandel, Giovanetti

2014 Old Vines Zinfandel, Giovanetti Vineyard, Russian River Valley

Accolades

92 Points | International Wine Review | June 2017
Double Gold | California Zinfandel Championship | July 2016

Food Pairing

prunes

Armagnac Prunes

Old Vines Zinfandel, Bacchi Vineyard, Russian River Valley

2020 Old Vines Zinfandel, Bacchi Vineyard, Russian River Valley

2022 Old Vines Zinfandel, Bacchi Vineyard, Russian River Valley

Eletto, Heritage Red Blend

2016 Eletto

Food Pairing

Pork and potatoes

Five Spice Braised Kurobuta Pork, Purple Sweet Potatoes & Armagnac Prunes

Food Pairing

plated pork

Chipotle Fennel Porchetta

Food Pairing

grilled chicken

Yucatan Style Grilled Chicken

Zinfandel, Montecillo

2014 Zinfandel, Montecillo Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

Food Pairing

chocolate cake

Spiced Chocolate Cake with Macerated Berries

Food Pairing

beef polpette

Beef Polpette with Tahini Yogurt and Herbed Favas

2022 Zinfandel, Moon Mountain District

Accolades

96 pts., Double Gold. Best of Class | International Women's Wine Competition
93 pts., Wine Spectator

2018 Eletto, Heritage Vines

2018 ‘Eletto’, Heritage Vines, Sonoma County

Accolades

92 points | Wine Spectator

Food Pairing

Tapenade on bread

Fig Tapenade with Grilled Ciabatta

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