2022 Bedrock "Old Vine" Zinfandel

Bedrock Wine Co. founder Morgan Twain-Peterson literally grew up making wine. His was Joel Peterson, founder of Ravenswood Winery. Striking out on his own, Morgan started Bedrock in 2007 to explore the diversity of old heritage vineyard sites. In his own words, "Bedrock Wine Co. firmly believes in the philosophy that diversity is the spice of life. The wines I make are not limited to a single caste or single style. Rather, they reflect my own eclectic tastes and general feeling that a broad palate makes for more interesting gustatory experiences." Morgan is was the first winemaker to become earn the title Master of Wine, and founded The Historic Vineyard Society which is dedicated to saving, preserving and rehabilitatiing historic sites and promoting their viticulural diversity. 

Morgan's philosophy in making Zinfandel is simple: "To eschew varietal Zinfandel and instead make the truly California wine intended by our forefathers by field-blending Zin with plenty of Carignane for elegance, Petite Sirah for power, Alicante Bouschet for color, and the other mixed black varietals for interest and singularity from ancient vines grown in pretty spots." 

Bedrock Zinfandels are just marvelous. They strike at what Zinfandel used to be, what it could be. There are elegant, restrained, spicy, full bodied but light on its feet. Traditionally, Zinfandel was coplanted as a field blend of a number of different grape varieties by the immigrants who began planting vineyards in Northern California 150 years ago. The 2019 Old Vine Zinfandel is a blend of 85% Zinfandel filled out with Mataro, Grenache, Alicante Bouschet, Carignan, Petite Sirah and scant amounts of the many other varieties that can be found in California’s older vineyards. It is sourced from a number of top sites including Bedrock, Teldeschi, Esola, Pagani, Papera, Evangelho and Pato, filled in with lots from other old vineyards throughout the state.