Old Vines, Zinfandel

Giovanetti Vineyard

Russian River Valley

90 pts., Gold Medal | Sunset International Wine Competition

Tasting Notes

A deep ruby red wine with a garnet rim, this Zinfandel entices with aromas of raspberry, chocolate-covered fruits, and clove. On the palate, a powerhouse texture delivers bold flavors of black licorice, brown sugar, and rhubarb, supported by a full-bodied structure. Subtle spice adds depth, while the balanced finish lingers with intensity and finesse.

Vintage Notes

Cooler temperatures and an abundance of spring rains in 2023 pushed back the first day of harvest to the beginning of September. The later start and extra ripening time for the fruit allowed flavors and color to develop slowly for depth and concentration. Warm fall days spread harvest out past the end of October for many of the red varieties, with a final pick of Merlot delivered to the winery on November 2.

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 to 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 were picked in mid-October and delivered to the winery in half-ton picking bins. There, they get hand-sorted and undergo a five-day cold soak before fermentation begins to extract optimal color and flavor. After primary fermentation, the wine is pumped into French oak barrels, where it undergoes natural malolactic fermentation, followed by a lengthy elevage before final blend touches are put together prior to bottling.