Fife Redhead Vineyard Zinfandel 2003
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...for whom this vineyard is named. But she's not the only reason. Acquired by Fife Vineyards in August 1996, this vineyard is on flaming-red soil on benchland known as the Ricetti Bench, an area known for over a century as one of the prime places in Mendocino County to grow Petite Syrah and Zinfandel. At 1200 feet elevation, the Redhead Vineyard overlooks Lake Mendocino to the south, and a gentle slope into the beautiful Redwood Valley to the north. A truly beautiful site. The property includes a small winery surrounded by our dry-farmed, certified-organic vineyard planted exclusively to reds, head-trained Zinfandel and Petite Syrah, two of the county's most successful varieties.
Our winemaking philosophy is simple: obtain grapes with personality, handle them minimally, and then focus on blending to bring out nuance and character in the wine. We depend upon the vineyard to create the fruit, the density and the concentration. In the winemaking process we seek to assure balance, elegance, texture and length of flavor.
Other Vintages
1997-
Wine
Spectator
Unapologetically bold, spice-driven and jammy, Zinfandel has secured its title as the darling of California vintners by adapting well to the state's diverse microclimates and landscapes. Born in Croatia, it later made its way to southern Italy where it was named Primitivo. Fortunately, the imperial nursery of Vienna catalogued specimens of the vine, and it later made its way to New England in 1829. Parading the true American spirit, Zinfandel found a new home in California during the Gold Rush of 1849. Somm Secret—California's ancient vines of Zinfandel are those that survived the neglect of Prohibition; today these vines produce the most concentrated, ethereal and complex examples.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.