2023 Stone Ranch Zinfandel

Lifted aromas of bramble and dried cherry layered with subtle minerality and hints of sandalwood. A medium-bodied palate balances ripe fruit, firm tannins and vibrant acidity, carrying through to a lengthy finish. LL (2/26)

This vineyard is named for the stony alluvial soils found throughout the ranch. Despite an unseasonably cool growing season, warm weather in early October was enough to bring the grapes to full ripeness. Dark fruit and firm structure characterize this zinfandel. To soften tannins, we extended barrel aging to sixteen months. Enjoyable as a young wine, it will develop over the next six years. JO (3/25)

Stone Ranch is located on the western edge of the Alexander Valley. It was purchased from George Stone in the 1950’s by Everett Lampson who began to plant vineyards and replace the prunes and pears that were previously grown there. Jim Furlong married Everett’s granddaughter and the Furlong family now farms the land. The property covers both sides of the 101 to the east and west. To the west of the freeway the vineyards are on slopes and planted to petite sirah and cabernet sauvignon. East of the freeway, zinfandel vineyards are located on deeper valley floor soil, pleasanton gravelly loam soil series. The old vines were planted in 1964 and Block 3A planted in 1988.

Rainfall: 64 inches (above average)
Bloom: End of June
Weather: Late and prolonged harvest due to consistently cool weather throughout the growing season.

Harvest Dates: 7 – 20 October
Grapes: Average Brix 25.2˚
TA: 5.6 g/L
pH: 3.78
Fermentation: Natural primary and natural secondary (malolactic) fermentations.
Barrels: 100% air-dried American oak barrels (15% new, 15% one year old, 20% two years old, and 50% four and five years old)
Aging: Eighteen months in barrel

Sustainably farmed, hand-harvested grapes; destemmed and crushed; fermented on the native yeasts, followed by full malolactic on the naturally occurring bacteria; oak from barrel aging; minimum effective sulfur for this wine (35 ppm at crush; 170 ppm over the course of aging); pad filtered at bottling. In keeping with our philosophy of minimal intervention, this is the sum of our actions.

See all food pairing recipes we have created specifically for this wine.