Zinfandel

Our Zinfandel wines have evolved to a higher quality and complexity as we have dialed in our vineyards and winery over the last 10 years. For example, we have a Zinfandel clone we call "101", which has smaller berries and looser clusters. This gives us more color and flavor intensity, and also helps achieve a fully ripe crop with less pressure from mold late in the season. Because of the characteristics of this clone, we are able to leave the fruit on the vine a little longer to allow the flavors to develop to their fullest potential.

We are getting good results also with multiple "field selection" clones from some of our longtime growers in the Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys, as well. This clonal diversity gives us more options in our final blends: a little more spice from one batch, a little more dark fruit from another.

Finally, the mountaintop Monte Rosso vineyard has its own unique clone that has emerged there over the last 80 years or so, and that, combined with the unique climate and soil properties of the vineyard location, helps make our Monte Rosso and Toreador Zinfandels such deep, special wines.