# Turley 'Old Vines' Zinfandel (NV)

- **Producer:** Turley Wine Cellars
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Zinfandel, Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, Grenache, Cinsault
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 15.2%
- **Average price:** €42
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 13–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** plum, raspberry, cherry, blackberry, black pepper, herbaceous, vanilla, cedar, cloves, smoke, tobacco, leather

## About this wine

Founded in 1993 by former emergency room physician Larry Turley, Turley Wine Cellars is dedicated to preserving California's historic heritage Zinfandel vineyards. Under the leadership of winemaker Tegan Passalacqua, the winery focuses on historic old-vine sites across the state. The Old Vines cuvée aggregates grapes from over 20 historic vineyards across eight California counties, with vines ranging in age from 50 to 140 years. It serves as a comprehensive benchmark for classic old-vine viticulture in California.

## Interesting facts

- The average age of the vines supplying this wine is nearly 90 years old, with some sites planted up to 140 years ago.
- Founder Larry Turley sold his stake in Frog's Leap Winery in 1993 to focus exclusively on saving California's oldest vineyards.
- This single bottling blends fruit from over 20 historic vineyard sites across eight distinct California counties.

## Food pairing

The high alcohol, concentrated fruit, and supple tannin structure of old-vine Zinfandel pair seamlessly with rich, savory proteins and caramelized grilled meats that match its intensity and weight.

## Wine making process

Grapes are sourced from dry-farmed, organically managed old vineyards and harvested entirely by hand. Winemaking uses whole-berry pressing without crushing, fermented exclusively with native yeasts. Extended maceration lasts 30 to 40 days or longer. The wine matures for 12 months in oak barrels (80% French and 20% American, with 90% used oak and 10% new oak overall) before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.