Winemaker Notes
Pedroncelli Mother Clone is a classic Dry Creek Zinfandel with spicy aromas of cinnamon and white pepper along with red berries and a touch of vanilla. Black cherry flavors blend with vanilla, licorice, and warm baking spices. The berry-spice combination, so typical of Dry Creek Zin, includes a touch of pepper on the rounded finish which is a hallmark of Pedroncelli's style.
Blend: 91% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Supple and brambly, with jammy raspberry, licorice and cracked pepper flavors that end on a zesty accent.
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James Suckling
A good choice for fans of high-powered, densely textured reds. Pushes the limits of ripeness and heavy body while balancing them with well-saturated, mouth-filling tannins that bring a sense of balance and fullness. Notes of cinnamon, vanilla bean and cloves from oak aging add nice complexity. Drink now or hold.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2022 Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel is a sturdy and mouthfilling wine. This wine shows aromas and flavors of aromatic spices, lively raspberries, and a suggestion of oak. Enjoy it with a BBQ featuring Coney Island Hot Dogs. (Tasted: September 17, 2024, San Francisco, CA)
Pedroncelli - Dry Creek Valley’s Benchmark Estate Winery.
Since 1927, the Pedroncelli Winery family has made wines from Dry Creek Valley that reflect place, climate, and craft. Four generations on, the legacy continues, pairing each varietal with its ideal site across 100 estate acres. A leader in Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc, Pedroncelli champions these signature varietals as benchmarks of the estate and region. Guided by decades of experience and rooted in tradition, Pedroncelli crafts balanced, regionally expressive wines in a distinct house style made for food and the table. Thoughtfully produced and sustainably farmed to carry the legacy forward.
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 multifaceted and highly reputable sub-region of Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley is responsible for a wide range of wine styles—both red and white. One of the smallest AVAs in California, Dry Creek Valley has a winning combination of ideal geography and climate. Fertile, well-drained soils create concentrated varietal character while long, warm days, bookended by cool nights, allow grapes to reach full phenolic ripeness and balance. The warm and welcoming appellation is home to a number of family-owned vineyards and wineries that place a strong emphasis on sustainable farming practices.
Zinfandel reigns supreme here and still produces in a great number of very old vineyards—often 100 years old or older. These old vines create a powerful, voluptuous and sultry wine unlike those of any other region. Sauvignon Blanc, the valley’s signature white grape, also performs exceptionally well. Many other varieties grow comfortably here, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Syrah. Petite Sirah is often found in blends with Zinfandel.