Fantastic job Sean - thanks!
I’m really glad I happened upon this forum and, specifically, this topic. The information posted is fabulous. I’d like to share a project that my brother and I have launched (this isn’t an attempt to sell anything … just a little information about what we’re doing).
We’re exploring modern wines made from old vines. Brothers David and John Hance, and our wives, started Steampunk Wines early in 2010. We research old vine wines, attempt to define old vine wines, and promote old vine wines. In the not so distant future, we hope to provide resources, database, and information about old vines and wines made from old vines. Our focus is on the wines from old vines.
Please take a moment and visit our site. We’re not trying to sell anything. In fact, there’s nothing to buy. We simply want to increase awareness of our efforts and the uniqueness of old vine wines. We’re not looking for free samples and would prefer not to receive any. However, we would encourage you to share our information with others and also share with us information you may have about old vine wines.
We don’t post daily (like you, we have busy lives) but post regularly.
I’ll be checking back here regularly !
Love the site. So can you tell me which Dusi is used by Ridge for the Paso Robles bottling? (ringing TomHill)
This thread and the interest in old vines is great. I remember a benefit wine dinner in Raleigh about 10 years ago with Kent Rosenblum. When he came by our table I asked him about the old Zin vineyards and thanked him for being one of the wineries that had helped save many of them. He was quite matter of fact; those vineyards were just better and he loved making wine from them. I hit a nerve and he sat at chatted with us for an inordinate amount of time.
John - great site! I’ll be checking in frequently!
Thank you Chris! It’s a work in progress… To answer your question, it would be Benito Dusi. See below:
http://www.ridgewine.com/ridge_wines_and_vineyards/dusi_ranch_vineyard.tml
Mike,
Can’t believe you missed this one…
Morelli Lane Vineyard 100+ years old Dutton-Goldfield (Part of Dutton Ranch - 1.8 acres of old vine Zin)
William, once again - fantastic catch!
Again, I can’t find out much info but found this one:
Crow Ridge, RRV, V. Sattui
Sattui website says “80-year-old Russian River Valley vines make this single-vineyard Zin taste of ripe raspberry, dried plum and cherry cola flavors.”
2007 WE rating blurb says “vineyard was planted in 1915 and probably contains other varieties other than Zin.”
Thank you Misha!
Well, lucky me & DW are now the owners of 2 bots of Rombauer Fiddletown Zin, thanks to my DD. (resident of 'Frisco). A nice Anniversary present for us Floridians. ![[dance-clap.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/8/835ce082e2fa9c96c4b7f96406bf6e9a0db882ff.gif "[dance-clap.gif]"){kind=small}
Reading the back label it stated that the wine was sourced from the old vines of Eschen vineyard.
My research has discovered that the old vines, planted 1865, are still producing.
http://thecellaronline.com/eawiesvifizi.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
We currently have the Eschen-Rinaldi Amador with a more recent planting date.
Mike
Mike
I was trying to find a link to an article written by Thom Elkjer (Ridge Vineyards). I have the article in an email and copied the section talking about Eschen. This vineyard happens to be in my backyard (not literally, though).
Here it is:
"The oldest vines in California may be in the Eschen Vineyard in the Sierra Foothills town of Fiddletown, which shows up on township maps from 1869 as a producing vineyard. Bill Easton, whose Easton Winery makes Zinfandel from these old vines, says they’re like old people: “They’re slower but with more wisdom. They know what they can do, and you can’t push them into doing something else.” Phil Freese, who consults with winegrowers around the world, agrees. “It seems old vines are not as affected by extremes of weather and temperature as younger vines. They just keep doing their thing, year in and year out. ”
UPDATE: Found the link to the article …
http://www.ridgewine.com/taf/tn_sky_search.taf?_function=detail&archives_uid1=1289
John, do you know the relationship between Eschen, Rinaldi and Eschen-Rinaldi?
Eschen-Rinaldi is what the vineyard is now called. Gino Rinaldi is the current owner, he purchased it from Chet Eschen. A really beautiful old vine vineyard, I was there on Tuesday. There is a small patch of zin from the 1800’s maybe an acre? that has been interplanted, now 5 X10’. Most of the old vines were planted in the teens, and there is another patch planted in the 40’s or so. Gino planted some young vines in 2007.
And another vineyard that I forgot: Beatty Ranch Vineyard:
“At an elevation of over 1800 feet, the Beatty Ranch has the oldest Zinfandel vines on Howell Mountain. Planted on 2m x 2m spacing with head trained vines, the vineyard is carefully cultivated using minimal chemicals and no irrigation and has produced top quality Zinfandel fruit for over 80 vintages. The Beatty Ranch consists of 18 acres of Zinfandel and 14 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon.”
The vineyards Zin currently goes to Howell Mountain Vineyards and Vie Winery. Grapes in the past have been sold to Ridge and Cakebread.
Nice Tegan, thank you! Sounds like the list is OK for now.
Another fantastic catch Sean!
More info on Eschen, if anyone is still in that mode …
There is a thread within Wine Berserkers (Sierra Foothills winery & vineyard visits from November '09) and a post from Ken Zinns (http://www.wineberserkers.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=528) where he shares information from a conversation he had with Bill Easton.
Here’s a link to the thread page (look for Ken’s “long” post):
Two updates:
-
Dave Negus, in one of the early posts, mentioned St. Peter’s Church Vineyard in Cloverdale planted in 1888, but for some reason it is not on the latest list. Both Rosenblum and Valdez Family produce zin from this vineyard.
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Kristina Vineyard (Krissy’s Vineyard) RRV 1935 Ledson
Slightly OT, but I just tried the Jade Mountain '05 Mourvedre Evangelho Vineyard Ancient Vines (1890!). I really like this wine. Looking online, there is no Mourved of later vintage that I can find, and their website (http://www.jademountainvineyards.com/) doesn’t mention it either. Do you know if these vines have (shudder) been replaced?
Old Vineyard update; 4/11:
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
Barricia SV 1888 Ravenswood, Kenwood
Beatty Ranch Napa 1920s Vie
Bechtold-Cinsault Lodi 1883 Turley
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
Boeger El Dorado 1880s Boeger
Brandin Ranch Napa 1926 Rosenblum, Franus
Bridgehead, Contra Costa, 1900, Cline Contra Costa 1900 Cline
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
Ciapusci Mendocino 1902
Carla’s Contra Costa 1902 Carla’s Vineyard, Rosenblum
Coffaro DCV 1890’s Coffarro, Wine Guerrilla
Collins Napa 1923 Biale
Coturri SV 1935 Coturri
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 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
Fredson Ranch Alexander 1900s Ridge
Gaddis RRV 1903 Chronicle
Galleano Cucamonga 1925 Galleano
Gamba RRV 1900 Gamba
Gambogi RRV 1909 Chronicle, Hook and Ladder
Geyserville Alexander 1880 Ridge
Gibson Block Mendocino 1919 McDowell Valley Vineyards
Ghiradelli Calaveras 1900 Milliaire
Gold Mine Ranch DCV 1914 Carlisle
Grande Napa 1920 Biale
Grandpere Amador 1900 Macchia, Vino Noceto, CG DiAire
Guadagni DCV Preston
Guido Venturi Mendocino 1940 Woodenhead
Hartford RRV 1910 Hartford
Hayne Napa 1903 Turley, Chase
Heymar/Gobar Ranch Alexander 1913 Ravenswood
Highwire RRV 1913 Hartford
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
Library Napa 1930 Turley
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
Lodi-Schmierer Lodi 1903 Soquel
Lopez Cucamonga 1918 Carol Sheldon, Geyser Peak
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 Ducher 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, Kenwood
McElarney and Smith SV 1888 Rosenblum
Mead Ranch Napa 1960s* Biale
Mencarini Lodi 1950 Abundance
Mettler Lodi 1907 Mettler
Midway Ranch RRV 1920s
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 1880 Bucklin, Ravenswood, Roudin-Smith
Pacini Mendocino 1920s 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, DeLoach, Williams Seylem
Pato Contra Costa 1940s Phinney, Neyers
Pedroncelli DCV 1927 Pedroncelli
Perli Mendocino 1899 Edmeades
Pesenti Paso 1923 Turley, Presenti
Picchetti SCM 1880s Ridge, Picchetti
Pietra Santa Cienega 1905 Pietra Santa
Piffero Mendocino 1930 Edmeades
Planchon Contra Costa 1901 Franus, Rosenblum
Puccioni SV 1904 Puccioni
Recetti Mendocino 1930s Claudia Springs, Fetzer
Redwood Valley Mendocino 1934 Pellegrini
Rossi Ranch SV 1910 Carlisle
Rossi Vineyard Napa Thackrey
Royal-Tee Lodi 1899 Jessie’s Grove
Rue Vineyard RRV 1910 Rue
Saitone RRV 1895 DeLoach
Salvador Contra Costa 1896 Turley
Samsel Mendocino 1890s Rosenblum
Saucelito Canyon SLO 1880s Saucelito Canyon
Sausal Alexander 1890s Sausal
Savannah-Chanelle SCM 1897 Savannah-Chanelle
Scherrer Alexander 1912 Scherrer
Serracino DCV 1930 Peter Paul, Pezzi King
Seghesio SV 1902 Seghesio
Shaw SV 1882 Kunde Estate
Small Berry Contra Costa 1910 Cline
Soucie Lodi 1916 M2
Stellwagen SV 1899 Bedrock, Swan
St. Peter’s Church Sonoma 1888 Rosenblum, Valdez Family
Story “Picnic Hill” Amador 1907
Stryker Alexander 1920s Stryker
T.C. Vineyard Amador 1914
Talty DCV 1920s Talty
Teldeschi Ranch DCV 1885 Carlisle
Tofanelli Napa 1929 Turley, Tofanelli, Swift
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
Wellington SV 1892 Wellington
Westwind Lodi 1945 Jessie’s Grove
White Oak Alexander 1929 White Oak
Whitten Ranch SV 1890s Ridge
Winberrie RRV 1905 Sapphire Hill
Woodside SCM 1897 Woodside
York Creek Napa 1935 Ridge
Zampatti SV 1915 Turley
Zeigler RRV 1924 Swan
Zeni Mendocino 1917 Edmeades
Zichichi DCV 1940s Zichichi