Description

Experience America's Oldest Documented Zinfandel Vineyard with this briary varietal, layered Zinfandel. For over 145 years these ancient vines have plunged their roots through twenty-five feet of multiple soil types in search of water. The result is an elegant, complex, first-growth wine. Vineyard 1869's existence was noted in a deed from an 1869 U.S. Geological Survey, making it America's oldest documented Zinfandel vineyard. The immigrants who planted these vines chose them from hardy stock. In the 1890's the vines survived the nearly total destruction of California's vineyards by phylloxera. Due to moon-lit nights of unregulated distillation, Vineyard 1869 also survived Prohibition. It wasn't until 1984 when the vineyard was purchased by Scott Harvey, a German-trained, California winemaker, that the vines were lovingly coaxed back into producing small yields of high quality, first-growth Zinfandel. It is now coveted for producing California's premier Old Vine Zinfandel.

Wine Profile

Production Notes:

Produced from the Harvey Vineyard, America’s oldest Zinfandel Vineyard documented as existing in 1869. This ancient vineyard is non-irrigated, stand alone head pruned vines that fully express the Amador Zinfandel terroir. 20 months in French Oak.

Tasting Notes:

Briary varietal layered Zinfandel with notes of blackberry, fig, pomegranate and violets. Balanced with a fleshy center and hints of coffee and bright currents. Old Vine complexity with first growth quality. "Big and juicy, round and smooth, this full-bodied wine from a historic vineyard offers ultraripe plum, prune and dried cherry flavors on a soft, non-tannic texture. It is well concentrated and so ripe that it comes off as slightly sweet." Jim Gordon, Wine Enthusiast

Vintage Notes:

Produced in the “Old World” style of balanced winemaking. We want to express the Amador Zinfandel terroir with a good balance of fruit, French oak, structural tannins and medium alcohol. The wine is made in the California Claret style reminiscent of the balanced Zinfandels produced back in the 60s and 70s. Awarded 90 points from Wine Enthusiast!