“At 1,200 feet in elevation, Florence’s 12-acre vineyard is a rocky, northward-facing site that yields fruit with intense flavors and a distinct minerality.” – Sonoma Magazine

The best one YET?! 94 POINTS! From the cradle of Zinfandel greatness, Rockpile! This is the kind of serious, complex, life-affirming Zin you’ve been looking for. At a wallet-friendly near HALF OFF.

Just like the 2020 and the 2021 that sold out every year. This vintage should get the same treatment.

And we keep saying that every year. But it’s true. Then we think, why? Because old vines, especially with Zinfandel, MATTER. And every year, they get even older. And the wines get better.

Diehard Zinfandel fans, gather ‘round. We have a love letter for you! 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.

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, Zin vineyard on Rockpile, that flourished into a legendary AVA in 2002. 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.

As expected, it’s BIG and BOLD! Yet somehow it manages to have this ethereal sense of balance and magical harmony despite all that oomph. Beautiful brambly fruit layers. Spices that make you think of the Holidays. A mélange of exotic fruit and flowers. The complexity here is impressive!

This always gives the serious Biale, Bella, Gamba - and yes, even Beekeeper vibes… it’s that good. And the price! Oh… and besides the accolade below, it steals the show at local competitions, this vintage with 4 Double Golds, and a Platinum medal, Best Zinfandel, Best of Rockpile, Best of Class…

A showstopper that never lasts long - you’ve been warned.

94 Points, Cellar Selection – Wine Enthusiast “Deep, dark and very spicy, this black-fruited Zin displays aromas of blackberry and plum on the nose. These give way to flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate and licorice that wash across the palate with powerful, ageworthy tannins. Lay this down for a few years, then enjoy with barbecued pork ribs.”