Edmeades Mendocino County Zinfandel

Description

Edmeades Mendocino County Zinfandel is a pure, fruit driven wine, made with Zinfandel grapes grown in the Mendocino County appellation. Mendocino County is known for its Mediterranean climate and is part of the larger North Coast AVA (American Viticultural Area). It is one of the northernmost commercial wine growing regions in California.

The origins of Edmeades wines lie with cardiologist Dr Donald Edmeades who planted 11 acres of grapes in the hamlet of Philo, Anderson Valley in 1963, becoming the first modern-day grape grower in this cool, coastal region. His son Deron later founded the Edmeades winery launching the Edmeades brand in 1972. They they soon gained a reputation for producing fantastic single site and single vineyard mountain Zinfandels. In 1988 Edmeades was purchased by Jess Jackson and and became one of the very first wineries to join the Jackson Family Wines portfolio. 

The grapes for Edmeades come from four different growers. Gianoli Ranch owned by Mike and Jenny Kelly. Perli, a 2000 acre property owned by Steve Alden and family with 10 acres of Zinfandel planted in 1994. At Shamrock there are 24 acres of vineyards planted in 2001 by ranch manager Mike Prescott for owner Dr. Donald Williams. Lastly there is Piffero where Ric Piffero looks after 25 acres Carignan and Zinfandel vines planted by his grandfather Vittorio in 1930. The chief winemaker since 2017 is Dave Ready.

The grapes for Edmeades Mendocino County Zinfandel are fermented using only native yeasts in small, open top bins with manual punching down and minimal wine-making intervention. The wine is aged for 19 months in a combination of 64% French and 36% American oak, 25% of which is new. The wine is usually a blend of mainly Zinfandel with some Petite Sirah and Syrah. This can vary from vintage to vintage but the zinfandel is usually around 75 to 90% of the blend.

Edmeades Mendocino County Zinfandel is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.