Diehard Zinfandel fans, gather ‘round. We’re making history today.

An INAUGURAL release. From a Godfather-like figure in the world of Zin. And arguably one of the best appellations or vineyards associated with the varietal - ROCKPILE’S CRADLE.

94 POINTS! (+ a 97 medal)… this is the life-affirming Zin you’ve been looking for, at a wallet-friendly near HALF OFF.

You’ve probably heard of Rockpile, but you may not have heard of St. Peter’s Church, the little backyard of a church in Cloverdale that The San Francisco Chronicle called “a little-known vineyard that’s also one of the most influential in California.”

The Chronicle continues, explaining how Jack Florence Jr., a modest farmer and St. Peter’s Church parishioner “along with his longtime partner and renowned California vineyard manager Ulises Valdez Sr., planted the first St. Peter’s Church franchise vineyard. He transported cuttings (also known as a clone) from the old vineyard and budded them over rootstock high in the rugged and remote hills of Dry Creek Valley to the west. It was one of the first modern-day plantings in what later became the Rockpile appellation.” It was then Rosenblum who helped put both St. Peter’s Church and Rockpile on the map in the 90s with his big, bold, and critically acclaimed Zins.

Yet it was Florence Sr. who planted the first - and still to this day, the best - Zinfandel vineyard on Rockpile, that flourished into a legendary AVA in 2002. And it was all spearheaded by this little vineyard and grower right here in front of you, with the OG fruit that made Rockpile what it is today.

Which is why, decades later, Florence Sr. brought his own wines from this historic site to market. In the recent past this mighty but tiny vineyard’s name appeared briefly on flagship labels from Carol Shelton, Pezzi King, Dashe, and Bella before the Florence family decided to bottle their own.

Back to The Chronicle one last time - “most of the vineyard’s Zinfandel has gone to Napa’s Elyse Winery, which specializes in both Zinfandel and old vines. ‘It has these awesome textures, like when you lick the roof of your mouth and it’s almost slippery, the complexity is magical. Take a sip and you think there must be a slice of pumpkin pie somewhere nearby’ said Elyse winemaker Russell Bevan.”

And he’s right. It’s BIG and BOLD! Yet somehow it manages to have this ethereal sense of balance and magical harmony despite all that oomph. A whirlwind of brambly fruit layers, a strata of baking spices, exotic flowers, and fascinating umami notes. Cherry pie filling, dusty plums, cedar, crushed iron, toasty espresso, and baking spices galore. SO much complexity.

This is giving serious Biale, Bella, Gamba - and yes, even Beekeeper vibes… it’s that good. And the price!

A “case me” Zin for sure - assuming you can get some before it sells out.

97 Points, Best of Class – Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge 2023

94 Points, Editors’ Choice – Wine Enthusiast

“Spicy, cedary aromas and beautiful red and black fruit flavors make a seamless blend in this well-polished, complex, and handsomely oaked wine from the family that started grape growing in the remote Rockpile appellation. It is big and full-bodied, yet layered and subtle, bringing you back for more and more sips.”