Winemaker Notes
Adelaida's distinct family-owned vineyards lie in the hillside terrain of Paso Robles' Adelaida District, 14 miles from the Pacific coast. Ranging from 1400 - 2000 feet in elevation these low yielding vines are challenged by chalky limestone soils and afternoon blasts of cool marine air, and a diurnal temperature swing of 40-50 degrees.
2016 was a banner year for growing fine wine grapes. The Central Coast experienced steady, warm temperatures giving us long hang times. Harvested over two weeks in early September, grapes were hand sorted, desteemed, optically sorted, and small batch fermented on in-digenous yeast cultures. Later it was aged in a mix of French and Hun-garian oak barrels for 15 months. The finished wine is an expression of its mountain terroir, racy with electric vibrancy of ripe raspberries and cranberries with cinnamon stick spiciness. Best enjoyed in the near term for its exuberant fruitiness, drink up by 2021.
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.
