2016 Sonoma Zinfandel Ravenswood Winery

The grapes for the Ravenswood Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel come from selected vineyards in four AVA sub-areas of Sonoma County: Dry Creek Valley (42% of the grapes), Sonoma Valley (32%), Russian River Valley (21%) and Alexander Valley (5%). All grapes are hand-picked and fermented on the mash with their natural surrounding yeasts in a small, open fermenter. After fermentation is complete and a maceration period of around five to eight days, during which they concentrate additional color, aromas and gentle tannins from the grape skins, the wines are carefully drawn off and the mash is pressed, the foreshots and some of the pressed wines are then blended together and this blend is aged for around eighteen months in 225-liter French oak barriques (30% new wood).