Rich, dark berry flavors from the small grape clusters are balanced with French, American and Hungarian oak. Luscious layers of plum, pepper and chocolate provide a lingering and spicy finish. This wine pairs well with barbecue, pizza, hearty pastas, chili and ribs.

Tasting notes

Ripe and racy, with modest baked cherry, toasty herb and pepper flavors. Drink now through 2015. 180,000 cases made. Wine of the day on August 13th, 2011.

Wine maker notes

Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel makes a bold statement at first sip. Our quest for outstanding Zinfandel led us down a country road into the heart of Lodi, California revealing a sea of gnarled, 35 – 80 year-old vines pruned in a special, mop-topped way called "head trained”. True gnarly heads, these old vines yield fewer grape clusters with smaller berries than trellised vines. These mighty little berries produce intense, bold wines that are deep in color with concentrated dark fruit flavors. Our Old Vine Zinfandel has a gnarly core of rich, dark berry flavors with layers of spice, plum, pepper and vanilla balanced by light hint of toasted oak. Break out a bottle Gnarly Old Vine Zin and pair with BBQ pork ribs, moms favorite Chili or steak fajitas.