The 2023 Estate Zinfandel is the definitive introduction to Ross Ranch. Sourced from the head-pruned vines that line our entryway, these grapes are the first thing you see when you arrive to the ranch. This wine is a labor of love, hand-harvested by our family to ensure that only the most exceptional fruit from these heritage-style vines makes it into the bottle. This is a singular, focused expression of a California classic. It is a wine of uncompromising authenticity, quality… bold, honest, and intentionally crafted to let the raw character of Knights Valley fruit stand on its own.
Behind the Vine:
These head-pruned vines require meticulous care throughout the season, resulting in a wine with remarkable concentration and balance. By utilizing a minimalist, native yeast fermentation and aging in French Oak, we allow the natural character of the estate fruit to take center stage. This is a classic California Zinfandel reimagined with the sophistication and restraint that defines the Ross Ranch style.
Tasting Profile:
Expect an aromatic bouquet of ripe bramble fruit, raspberry, and cracked black pepper. On the palate, it is plush and velvety, offering layers of dark cherry and subtle baking spices, balanced by a bright acidity and a clean, elegant finish.
For us.. this wine is the quiet, heavy contentment of a late summer’s eve on the ranch. It is the moment the heat finally breaks and the air starts to cool—a feeling of slowing down and appreciation of the land sets in. An unhurried belonging and the deep satisfaction of being exactly where you are meant to be.
Winemakers Notes:
Varietal Composition:100% Estate Zinfandel
Harvest Date: October 25, 2023
Appellation: Knights Valley, Sonoma County
Fermentation: Native Yeast
Aging Vessel: 18 months in French Oak
Ultra-Limited Production: Only 25 cases produced
Alcohol: 14.6% by volume