Iconic Old Gods Zinfandel

Vintage: 2020
Appelation: Mokelumne River
Varietal: Zinfandel

Old Gods Zinfandel is sourced exclusively from the Schmiedt Vineyard. Located on the eastern side of the Mokelumne River AVA, the vineyard was planted in 1902 to primarily Zinfandel, with a smattering of Mission and Tocai inter-planted. These ancient 118 year old vines pre-date broadcast radio! The vineyard was dry farmed until the 1970s, when irrigation was installed to help protect the old vines. Still, the water has only been turned on 3-4 times since. Head trained and many now propped up with posts, the vines sit in the silty clay soils of the Mokelumne River basin. Despite the fertile soils, yields are extremely low, with only a few bunches per plant. The grapes were destemmed and fermented in 1 ton open top oak fermenters for two weeks. One to two times a day the wine was either punched down, or pumped over. Both techniques were used to maximize extraction. The wine finished secondary fermentation in used American oak barrels over the next several months. The wine was aged 11 months in barrel and two in bottle before release.