Finally, a Russian River Valley Heirloom Wine!

“The ancient mixed blacks in the foreground”

I have been searching for a compliment to Lorenzo’s and Bedrock Heirloom from the Russian River since the moment Bedrock Wine Co. was conceived in 2005.  I have looked at a number of beautiful old vineyards– many with names some would recognize– looking for a vineyard with the diversity of field blend, age, and site that would be on par with the standards I am looking for.  It took a damned-long time, but I have finally found one that is going to be great!

In truth, even this one took a while.  It was on a trip to look at the saintly Rebecca’s Vineyard that I first noticed the rugged, ancient vines lying on a northward slope, a mere 1/2 mile down the road.  I strained my head looking at the vines.

Nearly a dozen times and a neck-crink later, wondering what it could be, I finally decided to stop and knock on the door of the beautifully cared for home in front.

Surely, a vineyard on the site was famous!.  Sandy-Goldridge loams, vines that are clearly nearly a century old, lying in the golden triangle– spitting distance from Rebecca’s, Swan, Kistler’s Vine Hill, and Pax’s Walker Vine Hill.

So, one time while with my friend Chris Cottrell last harvest we sacked up, stopped and talked with the owner.  In fact, as it turns out, I had tasted the fruits of the vines many, many, times before from bottles held tightly in my father’s basement (for one of the wineries who recieved the fruit was, indeed, close to his heart).

Though I am still unable to disclose the vineyard’s name, I can happily say that it is one of the most beautiful sites for a Zinfandel based field blend I have ever seen.  From what I can tell, the oldest vines, which push 100 years in age, are roughly 60% Zin, and the rest is made up of Alicante Bouschet, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah, and Teredalgo.   I look forward to getting Andy Walker, the Davis ampelography guru, out to identify the vines.

Of course I will have to bait him with something– perhaps a few bottles of the surely phenomenal wine from the vineyard might do!