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 15, 2020

Average TA/pH at Harvest:

0.58 gm/100ml pH: 3.6

Fermentation Characteristics:

4 days cold soak prior to ferment, hand punched down in 1-ton bins twice daily, 10 days total on skins.

Cellar Storage/Aging:

18 months in barrels: 34% new Hungarian, 33% new and 2nd fill American, 33% 2nd & 3rd fill French.

Varietal:

96% Zinfandel, 4% Carignane

Appellation:

95% Wallstrum Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Sustainably Farmed.

Release Date:

March 1, 2023