Ancient Peaks Zinfandel

Ancient Peaks ZinfandelOVERVIEW Our estate Margarita Vineyard has become renowned for producing one of Paso Robles most acclaimed Zinfandels. Here, amid one of the regions coolest growing environments, the Zinfandel grape achieves a rare balance of robust flavors and elegant structure. Zinfandel has been a cornerstone variety of Paso Robles for more than 100 years, and we are proud to feature it in our small family of wines. VINEYARD The 2020 Zinfandel comes from five

OVERVIEW
Our estate Margarita Vineyard has become renowned for producing one of Paso
Robles’ most acclaimed Zinfandels. Here, amid one of the region’s coolest growing
environments, the Zinfandel grape achieves a rare balance of robust flavors and
elegant structure. Zinfandel has been a cornerstone variety of Paso Robles for more
than 100 years, and we are proud to feature it in our small family of wines.
VINEYARD
The 2020 Zinfandel comes from five separate blocks, with each contributing to a larger
sense of character and complexity in the finished wine. Block 49D sets the tone with
jammy dark fruit flavors derived from hilltop exposures, while Block 32 contributes a
dimension of bright red fruits and spice. Blocks 39 and 48 split the difference between
red and black fruits with their own spicy nuances. Margarita Vineyard stands alone
as the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles region, nestled into the rugged Santa
Lucia Mountain range just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean in the Santa Margarita
Ranch AVA. The mountain peaks act as a gateway for cool marine air, resulting in an
extended growing season that yields fruit with uncommon depth and structure. The
peaks are also testaments to the tectonic forces that created Margarita Vineyard’s rare
diversity of soils, ultimately fostering natural complexity in our wines.
WINEMAKING
We aim to produce a Zinfandel that faithfully reflects the terroir of Margarita Vineyard,
balancing varietal richness with an elevated sense of elegance and spice. The 2020
growing season was marked by a mild spring and summer, punctuated by two latesummer heat waves that accelerated the pace of ripening into harvest—all coming
together to provide a banner vintage for our Zinfandel fruit. Prior to fermentation, the
separate lots were cold soaked for 48 hours for a soft extraction of flavor and color.
After fermentation and light pressing, these lots were racked to a combination of French
and American oak barrels (20% new oak), where they aged for 18 months prior to
blending and bottling. The barrels were minimally racked during aging to preserve
varietal aromatics. A small lot of Syrah from Margarita Vineyard was incorporated into
the final blend for added mixed berry character and enhanced complexity.
TASTING NOTES
The 2020 Zinfandel makes an immediate statement with bright, jammy aromas of
raspberry, cinnamon spice and vanilla cream. Luscious, rounded flavors of red cherry,
raspberry and blackberry unfold across a beautifully weighted mouthfeel, all underpinned by deeper hints of roast coffee and black pepper. Smooth, juicy acidity brings
impressive balance to a uniquely elegant finish.
CUISINE PAIRING
The stunning varietal elegance of the 2020 Zinfandel makes it a versatile wine with
food. Recommended pairings include grilled lamb chops, vegetarian flatbread, Italian
sausage, and black pepper and parmesan spaghetti.

VINEYARD:
Margarita Vineyard
SOIL TYPE:
Volcanic
Shale
Rocky Alluvium
HARVEST DATES:
September 29 (Block 32)
October 10 (Blocks 39, 48 and
49D)
AGING REGIMEN:
18 months in French and
American oak barrels
Alcohol: 14.1%
pH: 3.98
TA: .67