Miljenko "Mike" Grgich exploded onto the international wine scene in 1976 at the Paris Wine Tasting. His '73 Ch. Montelena Chardonnay was chosen as the finest white wine in the world! In 1977 he joined with Austin Hills to form Grgich Hills Cellar. They now produce their wines from 100% estate vineyards, all of which are certified organic and use biodynamic farming. There are 366 acres of vines planted across 5 different vineyards.
They now produce two Zinfandels. Both are field blends, with about 7% Petite Syrah. The Estate spends 14 months in French barrels. There are over 5,700 cases of the Estate produced. The Miljenko's Old Vines comes from dry farmed vines planted in 1889. Only a little over 400 cases of the Old Vine Zinfandel are produced. They rest for 14 months in French oak puncheons, each holding 600 gallons. The reserve is only available at the winery.
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High up on Howell Mountain, 2100 feet above the Napa Valley floor, sits Outpost Wines. Established in 1988, they are known for producing a powerful, intense Zinfandel with a distinct Howell Mountain flavor. Winemaker Thomas Brown oversees the entire process. The fruit is handpicked in the early morning, and carefully handcrafted with a minimum of interference. They are bottled unfined and unfiltered.
While only one Zinfandel is produced, it is a great offering from 35 year old vines. The barrels used are 100% French Oak, split evenly between new, 1-year old and 2-year old barrels. They only produce 800 cases annually. While some of these are promised to distributors, 50% is held for the lucky people on the mailing list. This is one great list to get on.
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If you are lucky enough to get an appointment to visit Paradigm Winery, you will be able to verify that you are close when you pass the sign saying "No Wineries This Road". Paradigm means "A pattern for perfection", which shows in all aspects of this winery. The land was purchased in 1976 by Ren and Marilyn Harris, long time growers and winemakers in the Napa Valley. The first vintage of their own wine was in 1991, produced ever since then with the help of winemaker Heidi Barrett. A lot of the fruit is still sold to other premium wineries in the valley.
Although there are 37 acres of vines, producing about 6,000 cases annually, only a single acre of Zinfandel is used to produce about 200 cases. The wine spends 20 months in barrels, with a third American Oak and two thirds French Oak. Each year 35 to 40% are new. This is an elegant, rich flavored Napa style Zinfandel. It is only available at the winery, or on the internet.
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The Biale family began growing grapes in the 1930s, selling most of the fruit for bulk wines. Some of it was made into wine, but without a license it was only known to a few of the vegetable customers. In those days, telephones were on party lines, and some neighbors were known for listening in. Customers would call the Biales for some vegetables, and a "Black Chicken", code for a gallon of the home-made wine. In 1991 the first 400 cases of legal wine was made, "Aldo's Vineyard", from 8 acres of what are now 70 year old vines.
Today there are 7 different Zinfandels and 1Zinfandel blend produced, the most well know of which is the "Black Chicken", with about 2,000 cases produced from younger vines. The "Monte Rosso" and "Old Crane" Zinfandels are made from 120 years old vines, with about 350 cases each. The "Grande" and "Valsecchi" are from 80 year old vines, with productions of 300 and 100 cases. The "Aldo's" is now from 30+ year old vines with a 350 case production, while the "Stage Coach" has a 500 case production. A blend of 65% Zinfandel, the "Zappa" rounds out the inventory. Robert Biale Vineyards is an appointment only winery, with a lot of the Zinfandel being only available to club members. At the southern end of the valley, this is a good place to either start or end a day of tasting.
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In 1889 the Grimm Brothers, Adam and Jacob dug three tunnels into the hills in the Northern part of the Napa valley. They founded Grimm's Vineyards and Wine Vault. The winery was later abandoned, but was found by Jerry and Sigrid Seps in 1976. They replanted with Zinfandel, and were able to have a first release with the 1983 Zinfandel. In 1990 Jerry Seps founded ZAP, where he was the president for the first five years. There are now 40 acres in vines. This is an appointment only winery. It is a great place to start a day of visiting, being the first winery in the Napa Valley coming from the Alexander Valley in Sonoma.
Storybook Mountain Vineyards crafts five Zinfandels. The four Napa Estate wines are the Mayacamas Range, the Reserve, the Eastern Exposure and the Antaeus, which is actually a blend usually containing about 60% Zinfandel. The fifth wine is a Zin Gris, patterned after the dry rose wines of Provence. The Zinfandels spend over 12 months in the barrel, resting in the caves. These wines are all beautifully balanced, and will improve with a few years of age.
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