Old Gods Zinfandel 2023

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 121 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. For the 2023 harvest, the grapes were picked at night, 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 a mix of used American oak barrels over the next several months. The wine was aged for twelve months in barrel.

Only 198 Cases Produced

LABEL ART: Robb Mommaerts

WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO: Blood of Gods