California’s great old vine Zinfandel vineyards

[Nathan Kandler]

Peter,

The mataro is still there. I believe that Jade Mountain still produces a wine from the best part of the mataro block. Has some of the most picturesque gnarly looking vines i've ever seen.

[Ken Zinns]

Peter, just for clarification, Mataro is the same as Mourvèdre - two names for the same grape.

[Peter Kleban]

Thanks, Nathan and Ken! Jade Mountain doesn't list a mourved on their website and I don't find reference to one past 2005 (the vintage I have). Any idea where the grapes are going? (sorry if this is a bit OT, Mike.)

[M. Dildine]

Latest version (9/7/10):

101 Vineyard Alexander 1930s Turley
Aldo's Napa 1937 Biale
Alegria Vineyards RRV 1890 Ridge, Stryker, Acorn
Alexander Valley Road Alexander 1923 Turley
Amy's RRV 1910 Ledson
Angeli Ranch Alexander Porter Creek, Marietta
Aparicio Amador 1934 Rosenblum
Bacchi Ranch RRV 1909
Bacigalupi RRV 1950 Arista, Chronicle, John Tyler, Williams Seylem
Baldinelli (Dickson) Amador 1920s Terre Rouge, Easton
Barricia SV 1888? 1990s? Ravenswood, Kenwood
Beatty Ranch Napa 1920s Vie
Bechtold-Cinsault Lodi 1885 Turley, Scholium Project
Bedrock SV 1888 Bedrock, Ravenswood, Carlisle
Belloni RRV 1920 Ravenswood
Benito Dusi Paso 1923 Ridge, Dover Canyon
Berry Mendocino 1940 Navarro
Biagi RRV 1940s
Big Break Contra Costa 1910 Cline
Big River Alexander 1893 Dashe, Ravenswood, Bella
Bingham Ranch Napa 1890s
Boeger El Dorado 1880s Boeger
Brandlin Ranch Napa 1926 Rosenblum, Franus
Bridgehead, Contra Costa, 1900, Cline Contra Costa 1900 Cline
Buchignani/Garcia DCV 1940 Deerfield
Burnett DCV 1920s Alderbrook
Butler/Slazinski Sonoma 1920s DeLoach
Carlisle (Pelletti) RRV 1927 Carlisle, Novy, DeLoach
Casa Santinamaria/Maggies Reserve SV 1890s Rosenblum, Saxon Brown
Catfish Lake 1901 Steele
Chauvet SV 1936 Ravenswood, Coturri, Roudon-Smith
Chelli RRV 1890s Hartford
Ciapusci Mendocino 1902
Carla's Contra Costa 1902 Carla's Vineyard, Rosenblum
Coffaro DCV 1890's Coffarro, Wine Guerrilla
Collins Napa 1923 Biale
Cortina DCV 1950s Seghesio
Coturri SV 1935 Coturri
Cox Mendocino 1956 Carol Shelton
Crow Ridge RRV 1920 V. Sattui
Cullinane SV 1930s Ledson, Rosenblum
D&D Ranch Alexander 1930s Ridge
Dal Porto Amador 1920s
Dante Dusi Ranch Paso 1945 Turley
Deaver Amador 1930s Deaver, Medusa
DeRose Cienega 1899 DeRose
Dickerson Napa 1930 Ravenswood, Dickerson
Dina's (Chelli) RRV 1910 Hartford
Dogtown Lodi 1944 Turley
Dolinsek Ranch (Frati Ranch) RRV 1910 Bedrock, Mara
Duarte Contra Costa 1899 Turley, Rosenblum
DuPratt Mendocino 1920s Steele
Emmons/Riebli SV 1920s DeLoach
Eschen-Rinaldi Amador 1910s Terre Rouge, Renwood
Esola Amador 1910 Amador Foothill, Ridge
Evangehlo Contra Costa 1910 Jade Mt.
Falleri Napa 1924 Biale
Fanucchi-Wood RRV 1906 Hartford, Fannucchi
Fava Ranch RRV 1922 Marcucci Farms
Felice Connolly Napa 1920s Talty
Fieldstone Alexander 1894 Fieldstone
Forchini RRV/DCV 1910 Forchini, Williams Selyem, Wine Guerrilla
Fredericks (Weiss) SV 1937 Turley
Frediani Napa 1920 T Vine Cellars, August Briggs
Fredson Ranch Alexander 1900s Ridge
Gaddis RRV 1903 Chronicle
Galleano Cucamonga 1925 Galleano
Gamba RRV 1900 Gamba
Gambogi RRV 1909 Chronicle, Hook and Ladder
Gibson Block Mendocino 1919 McDowell Valley Vineyards
Ghiradelli Calaveras 1900 Milliaire
Giovanetti RRV 1896 St. Francis
Gold Mine Ranch DCV 1914 Carlisle
Grande Napa 1920 Biale
Grandpere Amador 1900 Macchia, Vino Noceto, CG DiAire
Guadagni DCV 1910s Preston, Dehlinger
Guido Venturi Mendocino 1940 Woodenhead
Hartford RRV 1910 Hartford
Hayne Napa 1903 Turley, Chase
Heymar/Gobar Ranch Alexander 1913 Ravenswood
Highwire RRV 1913 Hartford
Home Ranch Alexander 1890s Seghesio
Hoo Doo Creek Lake 1930s Medusa
Jackass RRV 1880 Martinelli
Jackass Hill RRV 1899 Martinelli, Williams-Selyem
Jimsomare SCM 1900 Ridge
JJ Cohn Napa 1945 Scarecrow
John Teldeschi DCV Bedrock, Ravenswood
Jolene's/Maffei Ranch RRV 1928 Hartford
Kristina RRV 1935 Ledson
Langtry Road SV 1880s Ridge
Lasseter SV 1919 Bedrock
Library Napa 1930 Turley
Lily Hill Estate DCV 1920s Bella Vineyards
Limerick Lane (Collins) SV 1911 Limerick Lane, Gary Farrell
Lion Oaks SCM 1899 Storrs
Live Oak Contra Costa 1899 Cline
Lizzie James Lodi 1904 Harney Lane
Lopez Cucamonga 1918 Carol Shelton, Galleano
Lorenzo's DCV 1909 Bedrock
Lovau DCV 1943 Daschle
Lubenko Amador 1911 Shenandoah, Sobon
Luvisi Napa 1908 Briggs
Lytton Estate DCV 1901 Ridge
Mancini RRV 1924 Swan
Mancuso/ Morse/ Lasseter Ranch SV 1919 Bedrock
Maple DCV 1910 Dutcher Crossing, Pezzi King, Armida, Mazzocco, Carol Shelton, Maples
Marian's Lodi 1901 St. Amant
Martinelli Road RRV 1880 Carlisle, Woodenhead
Massoni Amador 1910 Runquist
Mattern Ranch Mendocino 1933 Turley
Mazzoni Home Ranch Alexander 1890s Ridge
McDowell Valley Vineyards Mendocino 1948 McDowell Valley Vineyards
McElarney and Smith SV 1888 Rosenblum
Mead Ranch Napa 1960s* Biale
Mencarini Lodi 1950 Abundance
Mettler Lodi 1907 Mettler
Midway Ranch RRV 1920s Ponzo, Ridge
Mohr-Fry Lodi 1930 St. Amant, Joel Gott, Eola Hills, Valhalla
Montafi Ranch (Tom Feeney) RRV 1926 Carlisle, Williams Seylem, Starry Night
Monte Bello SCM 1949 Ridge
Monte Rosso SV 1886 Biale, Rancho Zabaco, Martini, Ravenswood, Ridge, Rosenblum, Amapola Creek, Charter Oaks, Stryker, Carlisle, Bedrock
Moore "Earthquake" Napa 1906 Turley, Biale
Moratto RRV 1920 Gamba
Morelli Lane RRV 1890s Eno, Dutton-Goldfield
Mori Contra Costa 1930s Turley
Morse SV 1918 Bedrock
Nalle DCV 1910s Nalle
Nervo Alexander 1899 Ridge, Trione
Nichelini Napa 1929 Nichelini
Oat Valley Alexander 1900s Ridge
Old Kraft Napa 1890s Biale
Old Crane Napa 1880s Biale
Old Hill Ranch SV 1885 Bucklin, Ravenswood, Roudin-Smith
Pacini Mendocino 1943 Steele
Pagani Ranch SV 1902 Ridge, St. Francis, Carlisle, Bedrock
Palisades Napa 1902 Stag's Leap, Miner, Carver Sutro, Biale, Carlisle
Papera Ranch (Carlo's) RRV 1934 Carlisle, Bedrock, Novy, Williams Seylem
Pato Contra Costa 1940s Phinney, Neyers
Pedroncelli DCV 1927 Pedroncelli
Perli Mendocino 1899 Edmeades
Pesenti Paso 1923 Turley, Pesenti
Picchetti SCM 1880s Ridge, Picchetti
Pietra Santa Cienega 1905 Pietra Santa
Piffero Mendocino 1930 Edmeades
Planchon Contra Costa 1901 Franus, Rosenblum
Ponzo RRV 1920s Ridge, Nickel & Nickel
Puccini SV 1906 Noyes, Bedrock
Puccioni DCV 1904 Puccioni
Raboli Livermore 1915 Murrietas Well, Wood Family
Recetti Mendocino 1930s Claudia Springs, Fetzer
Redwood Valley Mendocino 1934 Pellegrini
River Road Alexander 1940s Seghesio
Rossi Ranch SV 1910 Carlisle
Rossi Vineyard Napa Thackrey
Royal-Tee Lodi 1889 Jessie's Grove
Rue Vineyard RRV 1910 Rue
Saitone RRV 1895 DeLoach
Salvador Contra Costa 1896 Turley
Samsel Mendocino 1890s Rosenblum
San Lorenzo Alexander 1890s Seghesio
Saucelito Canyon SLO 1880s Saucelito Canyon
Sausal Alexander 1890s Sausal
Savannah-Chanelle SCM 1897 Savannah-Chanelle
Scatena SV 1930s Bedrock
Scherrer Alexander 1912 Scherrer
Schmierer Lodi 1903 Soquel
Serracino DCV 1930 Peter Paul, Pezzi King
Shaw SV 1882 Kunde Estate
Small Berry Contra Costa 1910 Cline
Soucie Lodi 1916 M2
Spinelli Contra Costa 1909 Trinitas, Three Wine Company
Stellwagen SV 1899 Bedrock, Swan
St. Peter's Church Sonoma 1888 Rosenblum, Valdez Family
Story "Picnic Hill" Amador 1907 Story, Turley
Stryker Alexander 1920s Stryker
T.C. Vineyard Amador 1914
Talty DCV 1920s Talty
Tambellini DCV 1930s Quivira
Teldeschi Ranch DCV 1885 Carlisle
Tofanelli Napa 1929 Turley, Tofanelli, Swift, Schrader
Tollini Mendocino 1924 Lolonis
Trentadue Ranch Alexander 1892 Ridge, Trentadue
Tucker/Canard Ranch Napa 1880s Biale
Twin Pines RRV 1900 Battaglini
Two Acres RRV 1910 Carlisle
Ueberroth Paso 1885 Turley
Upton Amador 1922 Karly
Valsecci Napa 1900 Biale
Varozza Napa 1900 Biale
Vogensen DCV 1900 Ravenswood, Preston
Von Weidlich RRV 1937 Ottimino, Radio-Coteau, DeLoach, Bedrock
Wellington SV 1892 Wellington
Westwind Lodi 1945 Jessie's Grove
White Oak Alexander 1929 White Oak
Whitten Ranch (Geyserville) Alexander 1890s Ridge
Winberrie RRV 1905 Sapphire Hill
Woodside SCM 1897 Woodside
York Creek Napa 1935 Ridge
Zampatti Sonoma 1915 Turley
Zeigler RRV 1924 Swan
Zeni Mendocino 1917 Edmeades
Zichichi DCV 1940s Zichichi

[Brian Tuite]

Updated:
Latest version (9/7/10):

101 Vineyard Alexander 1930s Turley
Aldo's Napa 1937 Biale
Alegria Vineyards RRV 1890 Ridge, Stryker, Acorn
Alexander Valley Road Alexander 1923 Turley
Amy's RRV 1910 Ledson
Angeli Ranch Alexander Porter Creek, Marietta
Aparicio Amador 1934 Rosenblum
Bacchi Ranch RRV 1909
Bacigalupi RRV 1950 Arista, Chronicle, John Tyler, Williams Seylem, Gracianna
Baldinelli (Dickson) Amador 1920s Terre Rouge, Easton
Barricia SV 1888? 1990s? Ravenswood, Kenwood
Beatty Ranch Napa 1920s Vie
Bechtold-Cinsault Lodi 1885 Turley, Scholium Project
Bedrock SV 1888 Bedrock, Ravenswood, Carlisle
Belloni RRV 1920 Ravenswood
Benito Dusi Paso 1923 Ridge, Dover Canyon
Berry Mendocino 1940 Navarro
Biagi RRV 1940s
Big Break Contra Costa 1910 Cline
Big River Alexander 1893 Dashe, Ravenswood, Bella
Bingham Ranch Napa 1890s
Boeger El Dorado 1880s Boeger
Brandlin Ranch Napa 1926 Rosenblum, Franus
Bridgehead, Contra Costa, 1900, Cline Contra Costa 1900 Cline
Buchignani/Garcia DCV 1940 Deerfield
Burnett DCV 1920s Alderbrook
Butler/Slazinski Sonoma 1920s DeLoach
Carlisle (Pelletti) RRV 1927 Carlisle, Novy, DeLoach
Casa Santinamaria/Maggies Reserve SV 1890s Rosenblum, Saxon Brown
Catfish Lake 1901 Steele
Chauvet SV 1936 Ravenswood, Coturri, Roudon-Smith
Chelli RRV 1890s Hartford
Ciapusci Mendocino 1902
Carla's Contra Costa 1902 Carla's Vineyard, Rosenblum
Coffaro DCV 1890's Coffarro, Wine Guerrilla
Collins Napa 1923 Biale
Cortina DCV 1950s Seghesio
Coturri SV 1935 Coturri
Cox Mendocino 1956 Carol Shelton
Crow Ridge RRV 1920 V. Sattui
Cullinane SV 1930s Ledson, Rosenblum
D&D Ranch Alexander 1930s Ridge
Dal Porto Amador 1920s
Dante Dusi Ranch Paso 1945 Turley
Deaver Amador 1930s Deaver, Medusa
DeRose Cienega 1899 DeRose
Dickerson Napa 1930 Ravenswood, Dickerson
Dina's (Chelli) RRV 1910 Hartford
Dogtown Lodi 1944 Turley
Dolinsek Ranch (Frati Ranch) RRV 1910 Bedrock, Mara
Duarte Contra Costa 1899 Turley, Rosenblum
DuPratt Mendocino 1920s Steele
Emmons/Riebli SV 1920s DeLoach
Eschen-Rinaldi Amador 1910s Terre Rouge, Renwood
Esola Amador 1910 Amador Foothill, Ridge
Evangehlo Contra Costa 1910 Jade Mt.
Falleri Napa 1924 Biale
Fanucchi-Wood RRV 1906 Hartford, Fannucchi
Fava Ranch RRV 1922 Marcucci Farms
Felice Connolly Napa 1920s Talty
Fieldstone Alexander 1894 Fieldstone
Forchini RRV/DCV 1910 Forchini, Williams Selyem, Wine Guerrilla
Fredericks (Weiss) SV 1937 Turley
Frediani Napa 1920 T Vine Cellars, August Briggs
Fredson Ranch Alexander 1900s Ridge
Gaddis RRV 1903 Chronicle
Galleano Cucamonga 1925 Galleano
Gamba RRV 1900 Gamba
Gambogi RRV 1909 Chronicle, Hook and Ladder
Gibson Block Mendocino 1919 McDowell Valley Vineyards
Ghiradelli Calaveras 1900 Milliaire
Giovanetti RRV 1896 St. Francis
Gold Mine Ranch DCV 1914 Carlisle
Grande Napa 1920 Biale
Grandpere Amador 1900 Macchia, Vino Noceto, CG DiAire
Guadagni DCV 1910s Preston, Dehlinger
Guido Venturi Mendocino 1940 Woodenhead
Hartford RRV 1910 Hartford
Hayne Napa 1903 Turley, Chase
Heymar/Gobar Ranch Alexander 1913 Ravenswood
Highwire RRV 1913 Hartford
Home Ranch Alexander 1890s Seghesio
Hoo Doo Creek Lake 1930s Medusa
Jackass RRV 1880 Martinelli
Jackass Hill RRV 1899 Martinelli, Williams-Selyem
Jimsomare SCM 1900 Ridge
JJ Cohn Napa 1945 Scarecrow
John Teldeschi DCV Bedrock, Ravenswood
Jolene's/Maffei Ranch RRV 1928 Hartford
Kristina RRV 1935 Ledson
Langtry Road SV 1880s Ridge
Lasseter SV 1919 Bedrock
Library Napa 1930 Turley
Lily Hill Estate DCV 1920s Bella Vineyards
Limerick Lane (Collins) SV 1911 Limerick Lane, Gary Farrell
Lion Oaks SCM 1899 Storrs
Live Oak Contra Costa 1899 Cline
Lizzie James Lodi 1904 Harney Lane
Lopez Cucamonga 1918 Carol Shelton, Galleano
Lorenzo's DCV 1909 Bedrock
Lovau DCV 1943 Daschle
Lubenko Amador 1911 Shenandoah, Sobon
Luvisi Napa 1908 Briggs
Lytton Estate DCV 1901 Ridge
Mancini RRV 1924 Swan
Mancuso/ Morse/ Lasseter Ranch SV 1919 Bedrock
Maple DCV 1910 Dutcher Crossing, Pezzi King, Armida, Mazzocco, Carol Shelton, Maples
Marian's Lodi 1901 St. Amant
Martinelli Road RRV 1880 Carlisle, Woodenhead
Massoni Amador 1910 Runquist
Mattern Ranch Mendocino 1933 Turley
Mazzoni Home Ranch Alexander 1890s Ridge
McDowell Valley Vineyards Mendocino 1948 McDowell Valley Vineyards
McElarney and Smith SV 1888 Rosenblum
Mead Ranch Napa 1960s* Biale
Mencarini Lodi 1950 Abundance
Mettler Lodi 1907 Mettler
Midway Ranch RRV 1920s Ponzo, Ridge
Mohr-Fry Lodi 1930 St. Amant, Joel Gott, Eola Hills, Valhalla
Montafi Ranch (Tom Feeney) RRV 1926 Carlisle, Williams Seylem, Starry Night
Monte Bello SCM 1949 Ridge
Monte Rosso SV 1886 Biale, Rancho Zabaco, Martini, Ravenswood, Ridge, Rosenblum, Amapola Creek, Charter Oaks, Stryker, Carlisle, Bedrock
Moore "Earthquake" Napa 1906 Turley, Biale
Moratto RRV 1920 Gamba
Morelli Lane RRV 1890s Eno, Dutton-Goldfield
Mori Contra Costa 1930s Turley
Morse SV 1918 Bedrock
Nalle DCV 1910s Nalle
Nervo Alexander 1899 Ridge, Trione
Nichelini Napa 1929 Nichelini
Oat Valley Alexander 1900s Ridge
Old Kraft Napa 1890s Biale
Old Crane Napa 1880s Biale
Old Hill Ranch SV 1885 Bucklin, Ravenswood, Roudin-Smith
Pacini Mendocino 1943 Steele
Pagani Ranch SV 1902 Ridge, St. Francis, Carlisle, Bedrock
Palisades Napa 1902 Stag's Leap, Miner, Carver Sutro, Biale, Carlisle
Papera Ranch (Carlo's) RRV 1934 Carlisle, Bedrock, Novy, Williams Seylem
Pato Contra Costa 1940s Phinney, Neyers
Pedroncelli DCV 1927 Pedroncelli
Perli Mendocino 1899 Edmeades
Pesenti Paso 1923 Turley, Pesenti
Picchetti SCM 1880s Ridge, Picchetti
Pietra Santa Cienega 1905 Pietra Santa
Piffero Mendocino 1930 Edmeades
Planchon Contra Costa 1901 Franus, Rosenblum
Ponzo RRV 1920s Ridge, Nickel & Nickel
Puccini SV 1906 Noyes, Bedrock
Puccioni DCV 1904 Puccioni
Raboli Livermore 1915 Murrietas Well, Wood Family
Recetti Mendocino 1930s Claudia Springs, Fetzer
Redwood Valley Mendocino 1934 Pellegrini
River Road Alexander 1940s Seghesio
Rossi Ranch SV 1910 Carlisle
Rossi Vineyard Napa Thackrey
Royal-Tee Lodi 1889 Jessie's Grove
Rue Vineyard RRV 1910 Rue
Saitone RRV 1895 DeLoach
Salvador Contra Costa 1896 Turley
Samsel Mendocino 1890s Rosenblum
San Lorenzo Alexander 1890s Seghesio
Saucelito Canyon SLO 1880s Saucelito Canyon
Sausal Alexander 1890s Sausal
Savannah-Chanelle SCM 1897 Savannah-Chanelle
Scatena SV 1930s Bedrock
Scherrer Alexander 1912 Scherrer
Schmierer Lodi 1903 Soquel
Serracino DCV 1930 Peter Paul, Pezzi King
Shaw SV 1882 Kunde Estate
Small Berry Contra Costa 1910 Cline
Soucie Lodi 1916 M2
Spinelli Contra Costa 1909 Trinitas, Three Wine Company
Stellwagen SV 1899 Bedrock, Swan
St. Peter's Church Sonoma 1888 Rosenblum, Valdez Family
Story "Picnic Hill" Amador 1907 Story, Turley
Stryker Alexander 1920s Stryker
T.C. Vineyard Amador 1914
Talty DCV 1920s Talty
Tambellini DCV 1930s Quivira
Teldeschi Ranch DCV 1885 Carlisle
Tofanelli Napa 1929 Turley, Tofanelli, Swift, Schrader
Tollini Mendocino 1924 Lolonis
Trentadue Ranch Alexander 1892 Ridge, Trentadue
Tucker/Canard Ranch Napa 1880s Biale
Twin Pines RRV 1900 Battaglini
Two Acres RRV 1910 Carlisle
Ueberroth Paso 1885 Turley
Upton Amador 1922 Karly
Valsecci Napa 1900 Biale
Varozza Napa 1900 Biale
Vogensen DCV 1900 Ravenswood, Preston
Von Weidlich RRV 1937 Ottimino, Radio-Coteau, DeLoach, Bedrock
Wellington SV 1892 Wellington
Westwind Lodi 1945 Jessie's Grove
White Oak Alexander 1929 White Oak
Whitten Ranch (Geyserville) Alexander 1890s Ridge
Winberrie RRV 1905 Sapphire Hill
Woodside SCM 1897 Woodside
York Creek Napa 1935 Ridge
Zampatti Sonoma 1915 Turley
Zeigler RRV 1924 Swan
Zeni Mendocino 1917 Edmeades
Zichichi DCV 1940s Zichichi

_________________
Cheers,

Brian

[M. Dildine]

Thanks Brian!

[Ken Zinns]

Mike, don't forget to add Precedent to the list of producers for Evangehlo.

[M. Dildine]

Mike, don't forget to add Precedent to the list of producers for Evangehlo.

Ken - thanks for the reminder!

[MikeMy]

Mike;

Take a look at this .pdf file about the Ciapusci vineyard.

Maybe it'll fill in the blanks on the Old Zin vineyard list.

Thanks
Mike

http://www.edmeades.com/pdfs/07Ciapusci.pdf

[Larry P]

In the above list, the line:

"Bridgehead, Contra Costa, 1900, Cline Contra Costa 1900 Cline"

Is this a typo? Supposed to indicate 2 different vineyard but got truncated onto one line?

...and need to add Three Wine Co. to Evangehlo

[Thomas DeBiase]

This was mentioned earlier, but Evangelho vineyard in Contra Costa has some 100 year old zinfandel vines that are literally planted in sand. It was the craziest experience I have ever had walking a vineyard, nearly out of breath hiking up literal sand dunes with century old grape vines planted. Carmenet made some very tasty wines from those grapes in the mid-late 1990's. What a cool vineyard!

[Craig Allyn Rose]

Just want to thank everyone that has contributed to this most fascinating topic. Oh, if only these beautiful old vines could talk, what stories they could tell!

[Larry P]

At the Sierra Foothills Wine Alliance tasting event in Danville last weekend, I got the opportunity to talk to several winemakers about some of the old vineyards in Amador County.

These should be added to the list, although I'm still trying to put together details on them:

Picnic Hill Vineyard, Story Winery, claims it was planted 100 years ago:
http://store02.prostores.com/servlet/st ... del/Detail" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Story Mission Vineyard, Story Winery, Mission Grapes, claims it was planted over 100 years ago:
http://store02.prostores.com/servlet/st ... ers/Detail" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Creekside Vineyard, Story Winery, planted 1936:
http://store02.prostores.com/servlet/st ... del/Detail" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ferrero Ranch, Montery Peninsula Winery, Vino Noceto Winery, Amador Foothill Winery, not sure about planting date. Contact info:
http://amadorwinegrapes.com/site/pages/ ... rowerid=64" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fox Creek, 80 years old, Renwood Zinfandel Jack Rabbit Flat, Windwalker Winery
http://www.renwood.com/renwood/catalog/ ... at_id=1001" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.windwalkervineyard.com/pages ... l#redwines" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice collection of contact informations here:
http://www.amadorwinegrapes.com/site/pages/growers.cgi" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I also got the opportunity to taste wines from Deaver, Ghiradelli, and Esola vineyards, report to follow later...

[M. Dildine]

Great sluthing Larry!!!

[Gordon ZenMasterOfZin Ng]

Forgive me if this is already covered, but I haven't read the entire thread yet. Is there an end goal here besides the registry?...

Thanks Larry! This project was initiated back in February with the first post on this thread. I have been amazed and thrilled with the response. I had no idea that so many people were as passionate about California's heritage vineyards as I am.

This thread makes a long and interesting read. Many people on this Board have made meaningful contributions. To answer your question - yes. We have big plans in support of our historic vines. Specifically, we are looking at an interactive website, vineyard tours, tastings and the possibility of a book. An Advisory Council of some of California's most respected old vine practitioners has been assembled.

1. I just spent on the order of 4hrs reading the entire thread, more like skimming!

A suggestion, since you're likely to end up with perhaps 2x as many vineyards being listed by the time you finish:

Stop re-listing the entire list of vineyards, in every post you make about the list being updated! On pg 8 this entire list has been quoted/posted 3x already, and it's gotten to the point, after reading the entire thread, of being excruciating to scroll though that long list to read the other posts.

Instead, just provide a link to the OP with your [edited] updated list, while just posting *only* those new entries that are being added to the list in the OP, in all of your other posts(please go back and edit all of those posts with the ever expanding long list, and reduce it to only the new additions) in this very, very long thread. That will make it much easier for people to get through the entire length!

/end rant :p

2. Now on to some problems/possibilities. I see so many vineyards as being "planted" or in operation for so many years, without any specification as to the actual age of the vines currently used in production, or what percentage of the wines being produced from these 'old vine vineyards' are actually using those old vines (yes, that specificity is provided on some entries, but many are *not*).

You could have, to take a bad/prime example the Grandpere vineyard is the oldest in Calif. Oldest *vineyard* in production? Uh well, Romanee Conti is a pretty old vineyard- centuries old, but it was completely replanted in 1946. How old are the vines in the Grandpere vineyard. The vineyard may have started X number of years ago, but could have been replanted in total say 80yrs ago...who would know for sure, where are the records? Same question/problem with many of the other century old vineyards.

^I have no suggestions to how to authenticate.

3. On to some other possible sites:

a.) Contact Margi @Brogan cellars, she may be have knowledge of some of those older Zin plantings, or can direct you to those who do know.

http://www.brogancellars.com/vyd_sources.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Centanni Vineyard, who knows how old the vines are?

http://vitezin.com/Wine.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

b.) Margi's brother RIP, Fred W. Jr, had some old vine vineyard Zins from RRV, under his Seven Lions label:

Three Amigos Vineyard, (100yr old vineyard/vines?, as of 2000 vintage)

Poor Man's Flat Vineyard (100yr old vineyard/vines?, as of 2000 vintage)

Joe & Emily's Vineyard (126yr old vineyard/vines? as of 2000 vintage)

c.) Does anyone know what the vineyard/source was for the 1935 Simi Sonoma Zinfandel, if that/those vineyards are still in production, if they have orig. old vines?

[Ken Zinns]

Instead, just provide a link to the OP with your [edited] updated list, while just posting *only* those new entries that are being added to the list in the OP

I would agree - good suggestion.

2. Now on to some problems/possibilities. I see so many vineyards as being "planted" or in operation for so many years, without any specification as to the actual age of the vines currently used in production, or what percentage of the wines being produced from these 'old vine vineyards' are actually using those old vines (yes, that specificity is provided on some entries, but many are *not*).

You could have, to take a bad/prime example the Grandpere vineyard is the oldest in Calif. Oldest *vineyard* in production? Uh well, Romanee Conti is a pretty old vineyard- centuries old, but it was completely replanted in 1946. How old are the vines in the Grandpere vineyard. The vineyard may have started X number of years ago, but could have been replanted in total say 80yrs ago...who would know for sure, where are the records? Same question/problem with many of the other century old vineyards.

^I have no suggestions to how to authenticate.

Rest assured that Mike and others are at work on this. In case you haven't seen the project he's working on for old California vineyards, here's a link: http://historicvineyardsociety.org/

I agree that authenticating vine age will be a difficult and in some cases a near-impossible task. It's obviously in the interest of some growers and winemakers to claim greater age for their vineyards. Information about when vineyards were originally planted and when replanting may have taken place will not be easy to verify. Questions about the true age of the vines at Grandpere Vineyard in particular have already been brought up in this discussion.

I also agree that the list of vineyards will grow considerably as this project moves forward - and looking forward to that!

[M. Dildine]

Hi Gordon,

Thanks for you interest, you've raised some good points and issues. For background, the WB site is the best place to read the genesis of the old vine registry, and the Historic Vineyard Society website http://www.historicvineyardsociety.org is the best place to see where the project is going now.

I like your idea of highlighting newly added vineyards. We'll work on that.

You have correctly identified the challenges involved in authenticating historic vineyards. For our registry we have defined a "historic vineyard" as a vineyard where vines planted prior to 1960 contribute more than 1/3 of the grapes to a current bottling.

Many of the wineries and vineyard owners we have contacted have kept meticulous records and have been very open with us. Others may be quite difficult to authenticate. We are fortunate to have people like Mike Officer, David Gates, Morgan Twain-Peterson and Tegan Passalacqua on our team who not only have exellent regional and historic knowledge, but also have some sense of an old vine when they see one!

Thanks for suggesting that I contact Margi - I'll do that! Don't hesitate to contact me with more ideas or suggestions.

[Glenn L e v i n e]

Shitty day = Biale Aldo's in the decanter.

[M. Dildine]

Shitty day = Biale Aldo's in the decanter.

Glenn - I assume that a good day is an BA ready to be poured from the decanter? Let us know how it's faring. I haven't had the pleasure of an Aldo in a couple of years.

[Glenn L e v i n e]

Mike - it was insane how fast this disappeared. ELO A New World's Record kind of gone. Mel chugged this and made a glorious pesto pizza with fresh mozzarella.

In all seriousness besides glorious and long finish i have no descriptors except I'd be into bottle #2 right now if not for a day's worth of surgery manana.

[M. Dildine]

Mike - it was insane how fast this disappeared. ELO A New World's Record kind of gone. Mel chugged this and made a glorious pesto pizza with fresh mozzarella.

In all seriousness besides glorious and long finish i have no descriptors except I'd be into bottle #2 right now if not for a day's worth of surgery manana.

What vintage? Doesn't Biale have a new winemaker?

[Glenn L e v i n e]

This was the 2006, too warm for many grapes but this Biale Aldo's was amazing, sadly not a cheap bottle.

[Larry Jones]

How about the Picchetti Ranch, just below Jimsomare in SCM?

"Today the Picchetti Winery produces approximately 9000 cases of hand crafted wine a year. Drawing from a multitude of vineyards that include 3 acres of over 110 year old Zinfandel vines"

-Larry

[M. Dildine]

Got it Larry, thanks!

[David M.]

b.) Margi's brother RIP, Fred W. Jr, had some old vine vineyard Zins from RRV, under his Seven Lions label:

Three Amigos Vineyard, (100yr old vineyard/vines?, as of 2000 vintage)

Poor Man's Flat Vineyard (100yr old vineyard/vines?, as of 2000 vintage)

Joe & Emily's Vineyard (126yr old vineyard/vines? as of 2000 vintage)

c.) Does anyone know what the vineyard/source was for the 1935 Simi Sonoma Zinfandel, if that/those vineyards are still in production, if they have orig. old vines?

The Joe and Emily's Vineyard is owned by Joe Martinelli Emily Duckhorn. It has also been called Martinelli-Duchhorn Vineyard but now is called Martinelli Road vineyard and the fruit is used by Nik of Woodenhead. The property was at one time part of the original Martinelli estate which included Jackass Vineyard and Jackass Hill.

[Sean Devaney]

The fruit is now going to Mike Officer at Carlisle.

[Jane Crabill]

I was looking up Barbieri Vineyard and Gambogi Vineyard which provided grapes for two of Cecil Deloach's single-vineyard Zinfandels at one time. On a visit to Hook and Ladder winery I thought someone told me (perhaps his son?) that vines at one of the old zin vineyards were torn up after the sale (perhaps at Gambogi?) Barbieri Vineyard, along with Papera (another Deloach source in the old days) is now part of Tom Feeney Ranch. Gambogi was planted in 1906, Barbieri in 1905 and Papera in 1934. http://www.viewinery.com/v_tom_feeney_ranch.asp?R= I have purchased Eric Ross Tom Feeney Ranch Zinfandel in the past but many other producers purchase grapes from this combined site.

(I see that Gambogi is still providing grapes for Hook and Ladder and that Papera was already mentioned.)

[Larry P]

This came across Last Bottle today:

Black Goose 2006
OLD VINES ZINFANDEL BARTOLOMEI VINEYARDS
...this wine is from 100-yr. old vines

I don't know anything about this vineyard and don't even get any info from www.blackgoosewines.com

Anyone heard of this vineyard?

(sorry to Last Bottle, as much as I'd like to take a flyer on this wine, this week's releases have left me severely tapped out)

[Glenn L e v i n e]

Rolled up to the new Klinker Brick tasting room this afternoon, man is it nice! It's on western side of Alpine Rd just S of Hwy 12. Anyway we got to taste the 2009 Old Ghost Zin and the inaugural 2003 as well. Clearly stated today that the 09 is 95% + Zin from 100 y/o vines in E Lodi but I don't know the exact vineyard. Some Cab Sav is added as well and it is a very fine Zinfandel indeed.

[Michel D.]

According to Rafanelli web site...

Alberto Rafanelli, an Italian immigrant, first founded A. Rafanelli Winery in the early 1900’s. He settled in the Healdsburg area with his family and started growing grapes and making wine.

[Glenn L e v i n e]

Nice article about the OGP Vineyard in Shenandoah.

http://palatepress.com/2012/04/wine/the ... -vineyard/

[TomHill]

Nice article about the OGP Vineyard in Shenandoah.
http://palatepress.com/2012/04/wine/the ... -vineyard/

Interesting...and mostly accurate...article on Downing/GrandPere. Thanks for the link, Glenn.

That original 1968 DeaverVnyd Zin was not a DarrellCorti wine but a SutterHome...back in the days when they made good wine.
SacCityCollege English professor was making Ho-Made Zin from Deaver grapes starting in '62. Darrell tasted it, really liked it,
and suggested to BobTrincero that he make a Zin from KenDeaver's grapes in '68. The rest is history. Charlie continued to
make Deaver Zin under his HarborWnry label up until the '78 vintage.
The bldg in the background of the photo is LeeSobon's original ShenandoahVnyds wnry. And home,
Tom

[Glenn L e v i n e]

I still have some 1974 Corti Bros Selection Deaver Zin, killer wine every bottle I have had so far.

[TomHill]

I still have some 1974 Corti Bros Selection Deaver Zin, killer wine every bottle I have had so far.

Not at all surprised that it's still alive, Glenn. That was probably a SutterHome-made wine. That was just before
they fell off the cliff w/ their Zins.
Tom

[Brian Tuite]

This came across Last Bottle today:

Black Goose 2006
OLD VINES ZINFANDEL BARTOLOMEI VINEYARDS
...this wine is from 100-yr. old vines

I don't know anything about this vineyard and don't even get any info from http://www.blackgoosewines.com

Anyone heard of this vineyard?

(sorry to Last Bottle, as much as I'd like to take a flyer on this wine, this week's releases have left me severely tapped out)

I bought 4 of these during the moving marathon. Guess I'll have to pop one tonight and see what's up.

[Glenn L e v i n e]

I still have some 1974 Corti Bros Selection Deaver Zin, killer wine every bottle I have had so far.

Not at all surprised that it's still alive, Glenn. That was probably a SutterHome-made wine. That was just before
they fell off the cliff w/ their Zins.
Tom

Legend I heard was that the wine was made by Sutter Home and then barrel selection by Mr Corti took place. It is a fun label and killa Zin.

[TomHill]

I still have some 1974 Corti Bros Selection Deaver Zin, killer wine every bottle I have had so far.

Not at all surprised that it's still alive, Glenn. That was probably a SutterHome-made wine. That was just before
they fell off the cliff w/ their Zins.
Tom

Legend I heard was that the wine was made by Sutter Home and then barrel selection by Mr Corti took place. It is a fun label and killa Zin.

Nope, Glenn...not a legend. Darrell is the legend, but the story is true. All the Corti Bros labeled wines are barrel selections done be Darrell...by & large.
He has a number of winemakers with whom he's close friends. He will be barrel tasting w/ them at their wineries, finds a particular wine/varietal that he likes,
tastes thru all the barrels and selects the ones he likes the best. His current Blaufrankisch, from WashState made by JedSteele, is far better than any
ShootingStar Lemberger that Jed's ever produced (TN to go up today).
Occasionally, the business model is a bit different. When he heard the Antinori's AtlasPeak Mondeuse (once thought to be the same as Refosco) was going
to be ripped out (sob...sob), Darrell contracted for the entire crop and had the folks at TrincheroEstateWines make the wine for him, according to his
specifications. It very much resembles a good Savoie Mondeuse.
Back in '78, when JedSteele was winemaker at Edmeades (where he made some truly astonishing wines), Darrell selected one puncheon of (MendocinoRidge)
Cabernet that he liked, requested xtra aging, and then bttld it under the CortiBros Reserve label. Probably the greatest Calif Cab I ever done did have. Whatta shame
that JedSteele doesn't make wines of that stature anymore.
Tom

[Eric Ifune]

I believe I actually still have a bottle of the 1974 Sutter Home Deaver Ranch Zinfandel. I hope Darrell didn't take all the good barrels!

[Richard A Milley]

Has anyone mentioned Battaglini Estate Winery on Pinar Rd. just west of Santa Rosa? Some of their Zin vines were planted in 1885. Small production of about 2,500 cases of Zin, Petite Sirah and Chard. Owners, Joe and Lucia Battaglini, originally from Lucca Italy and real "salt of the earth" types. Worth a visit.
http://www.battagliniwines.com/

[Tom Lee]

Nice to see one of my all time favorite WineBerserker threads reappear!

Tom
Twitter: @NWTomLee
www.zinfandelchronicles.com

[M. Dildine]

Has anyone mentioned Battaglini Estate Winery on Pinar Rd. just west of Santa Rosa? Some of their Zin vines were planted in 1885. Small production of about 2,500 cases of Zin, Petite Sirah and Chard. Owners, Joe and Lucia Battaglini, originally from Lucca Italy and real "salt of the earth" types. Worth a visit.
http://www.battagliniwines.com/

Richard, thanks for the tip!

[Bob Wood]

Nice to see one of my all time favorite WineBerserker threads reappear!

Tom
Twitter: @NWTomLee
http://www.zinfandelchronicles.com

All we need is one about Westerns. Johnny Yuma anyone?

[Tom Lee]

Mike, do you have any background on the Rafanelli Vyd? Not surprised but they have very little infomation on their website.

Tom
Twitter: @NWTomLee
www.zinfandelchronicles.com

[Dave McCloskey]

I received dispatches from Morgan Twain-Peterson and Mike Officer. First from Morgan:

Wow, that is quite the impressive list, I am not sure if I could do much better. I did notice a few that were missing, and have included appellation, year if I know it, and the producer.

Please feel free to use this email and post as a proxy for me.

Casa Santinamaria/ Maggie's Reserve Vineyard, Sonoma Valley, 1890's (Saxon Brown, Rosenblum)
Mancuso/ Morse/ Lasseter Ranch, Sonoma Valley, 1919 (Bedrock Wine Co. unless it gets ripped out)
Nalle, DCV 1910's (Nalle)
Vogensan, DCV (now belongs to Preston but was the source for the first RVWD Zin in 1976)
Mancini, RRV (across the street from Papera) (goes to Swan)
Sausal Vineyard, Alexander Valley (1890's) (Sausal)
Rue Vineyard (next to Fanucchi and Belloni) (Robert Rue Wines and Carol Shelton)
Chelli Vineyard (ditto) (goes to Hartford)
Cullinane Vineyard (SV), 1930's (did go to Rosenblum but now to Ledson)
Vellitini Vineyard (Sonoma Valley (Carneros really)) (Biale)
Aldo's Vineyard, NV (Biale)
Black Chicken Vineyard, NV (Biale)
Aida, NV (Turley, Orin Swift)
Tofanelli, Turley, Orin Swift, others)
Weiss Vineyard, SV, (farmed and goes to Turley, this is the source of one of the better known old-clones of Zin and is located near Kunde's Shaw Vineyard off of Nun's Canyon Road)
Chauvet Vineyard (next to Stellwagen, used to go to Coturri now to Ravenswood)
Rossi Ranch, Napa Valley (not the Sonoma Valley one farmed by Carlisle), this is the base of Thackrey's Orion
Los Chamizal Vineyard, Sonoma Valley (though only 30 years old this makes wine like old vines)
Cooke Vineyard (ditto)
Angeli Ranch (Carignane goes to RVWD, and Porter Creek, but Marietta has made a mixed-black wine from here for a long time)
Von Weidlich (Ottomino and De Loach now, though Radio Coteau's 2007 is absolutely magnificent)
Gamba Vineyard (1930's)

Also, Pietro's does not exist anymore. This was one of the vineyards pulled out and planted to Pinot (and has been on the market for the last year).

If any others occur to me I will let you know! This is a fun project, I look forward to seeing what others come up with, there is a bunch in Napa that are still missing.

oh! and Wellington Vineyard (next to Pagani Ranch) some great old Grenache field-blended out there

Can't talk about Zin without including Gamba, so kudos for adding them to the list. The Frank Family does a good job on Zin's as well.

[Drew Goin]

I wanted to keep this discussion on the front page. Why are so many of the thread's points omitted from the Heritage Vineyards website?

[Brian Tuite]

I wanted to keep this discussion on the front page. Why are so many of the thread's points omitted from the Heritage Vineyards website?

Vineyard owners have to submit their vineyards to the HVS for inclusion. A geek can't do it for them.

[Leonard Maran]

What a great thread! I "cut my teeth" on Zinfandel back about 1982 when I was first getting into wine. I bought a case of 1978 Clos du Val Zinfandel; odd I know to think of a Zin from that winery. But it was a very big wine and I remember some years later I found the wine to be rather awkward. But, to my amazement the last bottle had blossomed and astounded me with it's beauty. No clue where those grapes came from.

I really do want to post my disappointment that (unless I missed it) not a single soul has mentioned Joel Peterson, the Godfather of Zinfandel, and the current Ravenswood Vineyard Designate Zins. Teldechi, Belloni, Big River, Old Hill, Dickerson, all are vineyards on the list.

[Brian Tuite]

What a great thread! I "cut my teeth" on Zinfandel back about 1982 when I was first getting into wine. I bought a case of 1978 Clos du Val Zinfandel; odd I know to think of a Zin from that winery. But it was a very big wine and I remember some years later I found the wine to be rather awkward. But, to my amazement the last bottle had blossomed and astounded me with it's beauty. No clue where those grapes came from.

I really do want to post my disappointment that (unless I missed it) not a single soul has mentioned Joel Peterson, the Godfather of Zinfandel, and the current Ravenswood Vineyard Designate Zins. My guess is, that since the winery has been sold (though according to the website he's still a part of the operation) it is simply assumed that the wines are no good now. This view is buttressed by the fact that these wines are often deeply discounted (except for the Old Hill, never). Well I'm here to tell you that so many of these wines are still superb. I have bought Teldeschi from 2007 through 2011 (all for about $24.00) and every one of those wines sings with that quintessential Dry Creek expression. The Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine has steered me to this wine in every vintage; I trust Charlie Olken completely, and they taste blind. They were not crazy about the 2012 but really admired the 2012 Belloni which I cannot source locally, back in New Jersey it appears to be available for $24-25.00 but in Southern California it's at the list price of $35.00.

It has gotten so, that I've had to ask the Wine Club here in San Francisco to special order the Teldeschi for me, last vintage.No cachet, oh how fickle when one is searching for what's on trend. Other of these wines can be exceptional though perhaps there is some vintage variation. The Belloni and Teldeschi have been listed as true old vines. There is also Dickerson (so distinctive in certain vintages), Big River, and again, the Old Hill which can be extraordinary. There is also a Lalanne and a Bedrock, neither of which I have tasted. Props and kudos I think well deserved to Joel and yes, Ravenswood!

The thread is about vineyards not winemakers. Joel has made wine from many of the vineyards listed here such as Monte Rosso, Dickerson, Old Hill etc..

[Leonard Maran]

I have edited as I see there was most definitely thread drift there! There are however, many posts about Ridge Winery and other posts about wineries which produce wines from some of the great old Zinfandel vineyards; even mentions about wines and the quality of them. Joel Peterson was at the forefront and perhaps made more wines from these vineyards than anyone (except Ridge); all of the vineyards I mentioned are on the list and you've come up with Monte Rosso and I don't think I mentioned Bedrock, which he owns(source:www.vineyard360.com). I just think he should be mentioned as having championed these vineyards big time.

[Drew Goin]

I am curious as to the fate of the following vineyards all, I believe, located in Santa Clara area:

Bevilacqua,
Pedrizzetti,
Filice,
Colombano,
Fabretto,
Bertero,
Fortino,
Bonesio,
Roffinella

This lists originated from the following 1996 newspaper article archive link:
http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro ... -9631.html