Rod Wallstrum, known as “Wally” to his many friends, was the Agriculture teacher at Healdsburg High School, and as such, is a fixture in the local ag community. His small Zin vineyard in Alexander Valley has yielded some luscious fruit, full of spicy raspberry flavors and vibrant acidity.

Winemaker Notes:

Spicy-peppery black raspberry fruit, right off the top, with gorgeous roasty-vanilla oak caramel, and a bit of dusty black cherry. Mouth offers chocolatey oak, creamy vanilla and tart cherry, with a dense middle and pleasing fruit and spice through its long finish. Does it get a Gold Star for being the teacher’s pet??

Harvest Date:

September 1, 2022

Average TA/pH at Harvest:

0.58 gm/100ml pH: 3.61

Fermentation Characteristics:

4 days cold soak, fermented in open top tank. Hand punched down twice daily. 10 days total on skins.

Cellar Storage/Aging:

17 months in barrels: 30% new French, 43% new/2-yr old Hungarian and 27% older American.

Varietal:

100% Zinfandel

Appellation:

96% Wallstrum Vineyard, Alexander Valley. Sustainably Farmed

Release Date:

March 15, 2025