2024 Zinfandel

Given that I’ve been making wine from the Zinfandel from this vineyard since 2004, it comes as a surprise that this is the first “Estate” Zinfandel.  We have been working quite hard to improve this particular hillside block for the past 10 years and I feel that the results have been significant enough to warrant a wine worthy of the Estate label. When I took over the farming in 2012 our neighbor Dino from the Pagani Ranch, who also shares this hillside, told me “It’s not good dirt”. We have been adding compost (for nutrition), powdered oyster shells (neutralizes acid soil), gypsum (Mn and Fe too high) and Boron (too low). We have also learned to irrigate this block differently to the rest of our vineyard. The result is a deeply fruited Zinfandel, showing lots of classic Sonoma Valley Zinfandel flavors with a richness of middle palate and a long finish that surprises for a wine of 14.0% alcohol. It just needs ribs, pasta, or something from the grill.