The Translational Role of Winemaker through a single Grape

Inspired by Le Metro Wine‘s all Zinfandel February collection, we decided to go all red, single variety.

Zinfandel is either loved or despised – never a middle ground for this red grape. Zinfandel has been the archenstone for the California wine scene since the mid 1800s and has had its fair share of ups and downs. But what is the true essence of Zinfandel and which has remained constant throughout its turbulent history is its adaptability. The grape is planted all over California and represents the full gamut of wine descriptions depending on where it’s planted. But is this the way it should be? Does it matter?

For the month of March we’ll be taking a closer look at our adaptable Zinfandel, introducing a few winemakers and wines that you may as yet not have heard of and rolling out #sommkit.

Zinfandel Rising
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Week 1: 10 March – Getting to know the Grape

Aaron Epstein, Le Metro Wine Curator discusses why he chose Zinfandel. @LeMetroWine

Lynn Wheeler and Kenny Likitprakong winemakers Hobo Wine Co discuss raising a family and grapes. @hobowinecompany

Yes, they’re winemakers – and damn fine winemakers! But they’re also parents who live rich and rewarding lives outside of the winery. Lynn sings in the choir for pete’s sake! They’ve built layers of wine brands to reflect their varied tastes and in the process coined somewhat of a new take on the flying winemaker:  the wandering winemaker.  Taken directly from their website because I couldn’t have said it better:

The Hobo Wine Company is the brainchild, side job, menace to the wine industry, hedged bet, cash strain, mental anguish, late night musing, bruised hands, dirty t-shirts, and constant companion of Kenny Likitprakong. Despite knowing better, he started his own label in 2002 with the simple idea to have some good fun.

Week 2: 17 March –  ”…foster the voice of the soil into your glass of wine.”

Nathan Kandler winemaker  Precedent Wine born in Michigan and found his way to the Contra Costa County. @nwkandler

After Aaron sends me his list of wines for our monthly club, and before I purchase them I do a cursory recognizance of each winery. I immediately went to Nathan’s site and I was struck by his beautifully kind face. I understand that sounds cliche but it’s what we project and therefore what comes back to us that shows who we really are. And this shows wonderfully in Nathan’s wines.  Precedent, 2012 Zinfandel Evangelho Vineyard Contra Costa County $28

We’ll discuss the Evangelho Vineyard, one of the great old vine Zinfandel vineyards in California, how Nathan chose this particular site and the intricacies of growing grapes in such a historic area.

Week 3: 24 March – The Zinfandel Heritage Vineyard

Talk about cool. The Zinfandel Heritage Vineyard Project is a collection of rare Zinfandel vine cuttings grown from some of the best vineyards in California. We sometimes forget that although Zinfandel has gained in popularity, without diversity of rootstock to add diversity that popularity and thus growth can falter. Exorbitant amounts of research is conducted without our ever knowing about it, mostly at UC Davis. This is where the Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP) step in. ZAP recognized the importance of the ongoing research at UC Davis in creating greater diversity for growers, and partnered with the University to support the Zinfandel Heritage Vineyard Project.

Each year a different winemaker is selected to produce a wine from the Heritage Vineyard which began back in 1997! We’re lucky enough to have Chris Leamy, winemaker at Terra d’Oro Winery, and for the 2012 Heritage Vineyard Zinfandel Oakville, Napa Valley. @TDOWineryChris

Week 4: 31 March – Beekeeper Cellars @beekeepercellar

Ian Blackburn teamed up  with old friend Clay Mauritson of Mauritson Cellars fame several years ago to produce superb Zinfandel. Ian calls Rockpile his “secret weapon.” The Pomo tribe called the region ‘kabe-chana,’ meaning place with many rocks. Although the AVA was only established in 2002, wineries vie for access to vines in the AVA where no wineries reside.

Ian is the quintessential renaissance man: In 1995 he instituted the first of its class in wine events / education in the Los Angeles area called LearnAboutWine and now he’s onto Phase II with wineLA – “Doing what is best for the wine industry and the communities we serve.  Edicts:  innovate, evolve and excite.”

So now with many accomplishments, we’ll discuss Ian’s new venture as winemaker and how each of his previous experiences has shaped the way he approaches winemaking with Beekeeper Cellars.