VARIETY(S):

98% Old-Vine Zinfandel, 2% Petite Sirah (interplanted)

THE VINEYARD, 100% DRY FARMED:

This eight-acre vineyard sits in the center crown of Northern Calistoga and is a testament to the historical significance of Heritage Zinfandel vines that were once planted prolifically throughout California. Planted in the early 1900’s, the old vines on this property are dry farmed and head trained. Local legend has it that this vineyard was at the “signal point” in Calistoga for implementing frost protection measures during early spring budbreak season. As the cold air would begin to drift south through Knights Valley, the vineyard owners located in the center crown area would fire up their smudge pots to spare their vineyards from descending frosts, and thereby signaling their neighbors to ready their frost protection systems accordingly. Thus, the location was referred to as the signal fire. The vines here are well established and dry farmed, with an average vine age of 70 years.

WINEMAKER’S RECORD:

This wine establishes itself smack in the middle of big, bold, and balanced. Impenetrable, glass coating color leads fans of Zinfandel to loads of blackberries, white pepper spice, sweet honeysuckle, crushed blue herbs and a very full, viscous, and lengthy finish. This is approachable upon release and will age, when cellared correctly, for 6 to 8 years.

PRODUCTION Essentials

Method | 100% Destemmed Via Four-Stage Pellenc Sorting, 100% Gravity Flow Into Stainless Steel Fermenters Where 100% Native Carbonic Maceration And Fermentation Take Hold, 100% Free Run Juice Transfers Into French Oak.

Aging Regimen | 16 Months, 45% New French Oak.