Overview

Old Vine Zinfandel Mendocino County Old Vine Mendocino Zinfandel is a treasure. Grown on the benchlands and slopes of mountainsides — this 65+ year old vine Zinfandel was named for these wild- looking vines and also for the uninoculated, or “wild,” yeast ferment that was used to create it. It takes a lot of effort to tame this wild fruit, but it is worth all the trouble. Wild Thing is dangerously good! Remember – you are what you drink ….

Cellar Notes

As usual, our Wild Thing Zinfandel went through fermentation uninoculated, relying on a healthy WILD yeast population from the organic vineyard to create a terroir-driven complexity of aroma and flavors. Our wild fermentation started after a 3-day cold soak and was followed by a 20-25-day maceration. The must was déléstaged (pronounced 'del-ess-TAHJd) two times prior to the wine reaching 12°Brix. That is the fancy, French term for a rack and return—a process that aerates the wine, helps to maintain a healthy yeast population, and builds mouthfeel volume with gentle extraction from the skins.

Winemaker Notes:

Aromas of black cherry, ripe plum and raspberry fruit combine with a hint of cigar box, and vanilla-oak baking spice loveliness. Smoothly textured in mouth, and the palate is very creamy and round, with a finish that is long with lush jammy fruit.

Harvest Date:

September 23+25 and October 5, 7+11, 2023

Average TA/pH at Harvest:

0.60 TA/3.54 pH

Fermentation Characteristics:

As usual, our Wild Thing Zinfandel went through fermentation uninoculated, relying on a healthy WILD yeast population from the organic vineyard to create a terroir-driven complexity of aroma and flavors. Our wild fermentation started after a 3-day cold soak and was followed by a 20-25-day maceration. The must was déléstaged (pronounced 'del-ess-TAHJd) two times prior to the wine reaching 12°Brix. That is the fancy, French term for a rack and return—a process that aerates the wine, helps to maintain a healthy yeast population, and builds mouthfeel volume with gentle extraction from the skins.

Cellar Storage/Aging:

10 months in oak barrels—10% new and 1-yr-old American, 90% 2-yr-old and older (22% French and 78% American).

Varietal:

75% Old Vine Zinfandel, 14% Old Vine Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% mixed *** Sustainably Farmed and Organically Grown ***THIS IS THE 5th VINTAGE WITH “ORGANIC GRAPES” ON THE BACK LABEL!

Appellation:

89% Mendocino County, 8% Sonoma County, 3% Contra Costa Co.

Release Date:

September 2026 (375’s in Fall 2025)