ZINFANDELHISTORY, BLENDING AND TERROIR

“Zinfandel, good table wine… very soft and round and free from acidity, most wholesome and blood-making” (1895 advertisement - Harrods, London)

Circa 1883

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Origins of Zinfandel

• 1967 Austin Goheen of UC Davis recognizes Zin in Italy (Primitivo)

• 1994 Carole Meredith uses DNA fingerprinting to prove Primitivo = Zin

• 1999 Preliminary field trials indicate Primitivo a different clone than American Zinfandel

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Origins of Zinfandel...

•1995 Field Research in Croatia & CA proves that Plavac Mali & Zin are not the same variety

•2002 Crljenak - (Tsir-le-a-nautz) found - grape that is thought to be original Zin found near the town of Split on the Dalmation Coast

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Courtesy of Carole Merideth

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History of Zinfandel in the US

• 1829 Gibbs imports cutting from Schoenbrunn Collection in Vienna

• 1832 Boston nursery owner Samuel Perkins advertises the “Zinfandel” vine for sale

• 1830 -1857 Zin becomes a popular table grape in Northeast (grown under glass)Clusters brought to market by April bring $2 per lb – about $25 per lb when corrected for inflation

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History of Zinfandel in the US

• 1852 – 1854 Zin is introduced to Sonoma & Napa by Osborne & Boggs

• 1858 Delmas wins State Fair Gold – touted as Best Claret in the state of CA

• 1878-1889 Zin is the most widely planted variety during CA’s first wine boom

• 1919-1933 During prohibition, Zin is very popular with home winemakers. Zin is one of the top 5 varietals produced

• 1990-1998 Zin vineyards in CA grow from 34,000 acres to more than 50,000 acres…Zin is CA’s #1 red wine variety

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• 1852 Macondray introduces Zin vines to CA – a Massachusetts sea captain and member of the MA Port Society

Range of Grape Characteristics

• Large to moderate size clusters

• Large to moderate size berries

• Tight clusters

• Relatively thin skins

• Strawberry to plum & blackberry

• Uneven ripening

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Other Blending Varieties That Influence Zinfandel Character

• Petite Sirah

• Carignane

• Alicante

• Occasionally Grenache & Syrah

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Regional Influences on Zinfandel

• Every wine has an individual profile dependent on the specific climate in the region in which the grapes are grown, and the traditional varieties co-planted in the vineyards

• Zinfandel adapts well to the wide range of California environments

• Zinfandel can provide exceptional distinctive wine in most of California’s grape growing regions

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Notable Zinfandel Producing Regions

• Lodi

• Mendocino County

• Amador County

• Napa Valley

• Sonoma County

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Seghesio Cortina Vineyard Zinfandel

In 1957, the Seghesio family purchased 56 acres in the heart of Dry Creek Valley. Their fathers had purchased fruit from growers in this valley since the early 1900s and realized its great potential. In this valley, late afternoon coastal cooling follows long hours of sunshine, allowing the fruit to mature slowly during the summer months.

• The Site: This wine comes from one of the oldest head-pruned vineyards in Dry Creek Valley. The vineyard thrives in Cortina, a gravelly loam soil well suited to Zinfandel. The stronger marine influence of Dry Creek Valley keeps it cooler than Home Ranch. In a normal season, Cortina will ripen two to three weeks after Home Ranch.

• The Wine: Due to the prevailing afternoon breezes in Dry Creek Valley, the flavor profile tends towards red fruit, as compared to Home Ranch's black fruit. Its red raspberry, boysenberry, briary/brambly, and spicy white pepper qualities are enhanced with higher acidity due to the cooler growing area.

Teldeschi Vineyard

• Warm to hot days

• Cool nights - substantial marine influence

• Well drained river bench land

• Planted around 1900 to 1930

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Vineyard Flavor ProfileVineyard Flavor Profile

• Black cherry

• Pepper, vanilla

• Fine tannins