2006 Zinfandel Old Vine, Contra Costa

Near the Bay Area town of Oakley live some of California’s oldest vineyards. Planted as far back as 1890, these historic "old vines" produce low yields with concentrated flavors. This Zinfandel displays bright red fruit, cinnamon, smoke, and toast.

The Winemaking
A pre-fermentation cold soak with traditional pump-over cap management preserved the unique fruit qualities of this wine. After malolactic occurred in neutral wood, an addition of 40% new American oak was used to enhance the spice flavor components and to frame the fruit with added structure in the mid-palate. During 14 months of aging, this wine was racked once and only lightly filtered before bottling.

The Vineyard
Three different blocks of ancient vines, 85-90 years old, from the sandy soil (Delhi sandy loam) surrounding the little Bay Area town of Oakley in Contra Costa County provide the fruit for this blend of Zinfandel (87%), Petite Sirah (8%), Mataro (4%), and Alicante Bouschet (1%). These "old vines" produce a mere 1.5 to 2.5 tons of fruit per acre, showcasing the classic "Oakley" flavors of dusty raspberries, white pepper, and chocolate nuances.