Cline Cellars Lodi Zinfandel

Description

Cline Cellars Lodi Zinfandel is the entry point red wine in the Cline Cellars range and is a classic Californian Zinfandel with a balance of dark fruits and hints of toasty, vanilla-y oak.

Founded By Fred Cline in 1982

In 1982, on leaving university, Fred Cline returned to his hometown of Oakley, Contra Costa County (equidistant between Sacramento and San Francisco) to found the company that would become Cline Cellars. There, he started producing wines and restoring ancient vines. Today, Zinfandel, Carignane and Mourvèdre produced from these vines are some of the most unique and historic wines made in California – the coming together of the climate, the soil and the landscape is the epitome of Oakley terroir.

Based in Carneros, Sonoma County

In 1991, the winery relocated from Oakley to the Carneros region of Sonoma County on a historic 350-acre estate with new vineyards and facilities. As well as wines from Cline Cellars, the family also produce a range of Cal-Ital wines, Californian wines made from Italian grape varieties, at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. This sister winery opened in 2007, and is a tribute to Fred’s maternal grandfather, Valeriano Jacuzzi, and, yes, it is the same family that invented the Jacuzzi hot tub.

From The “Zinfandel Capital of the World”

This wine is made from grapes grown around the town of Lodi. The town of Lodi is located in San Joaquin County, California, in the northern portion of California’s Central Valley – it is sometimes known as the “Zinfandel Capital of the World”. Alongside the Cline North Coast Viognier, this now forms part of Cline’s “Appellation Series”.

Cline Cellars Lodi Zinfandel Vineyards

The grapes for Cline Cellars Lodi Zinfandel are sourced from a selection of fourteen, proud, earnest and independent growers from across the Lodi AVA.  There are 7 distinct AVAs in Lodi – the grapes for this wine almost all come from the Mokelumne River AVA. Vineyards include the Fowler Ranch, dating back to 1942, Hubert and Harney vineyards planted in 1962, and the Alpine vineyard planted in 1968.

Winemaking

• De-stemming and Crushing: Grapes are de-stemmed and lightly crushed to preserve fruit characteristics and minimise tannin extraction.

• Fermentation: Grapes undergo fermentation to develop the wine’s core flavours.

• Racking: The wine is racked two or three times post-fermentation to clarify and refine it.

• Ageing: Settled in 35% new French oak barrels to provide elegant structure while maintaining bright fruit flavours.

• Barrel Type: Medium toast French oak barrels are used, imparting a delicate vanilla character to the wine.

Cline Cellars Lodi Zinfandel is a vegan and vegetarian-friendly wine. Buy now at Fareham Wine Cellar.