Valravn Zinfandel

Valravn was founded in 2014 when they had an opportunity to work with fruit from a friend’s vineyard that was not going to be used for wine production. The vines were old and bush pruned, the way that things were done by original wine growers in the region when they first immigrated from the old world in the pre WWII era. The grapes are primarily from Dry Creek Valley, with smaller parcels from Russian River Valley, Rockpile, Alexander Valley, and Yorkville Highlands. Hand-harvested, hand-sorted, and gently destemmed before fermentation. Once fermented fully dry, the wine was racked to barrel for malolactic fermentation and aged twelve months in French oak, a diverse mix of barrels ranging from first use to neutral, in sizes from barrique to puncheon. Lush and expressive, this Sonoma County Zinfandel opens with effusive aromas of boysenberry, cassis, and ripe plums layered with cocoa nib and sweet spice. The palate is vibrant yet silky, showing concentrated blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries framed by gentle tannins. A deep, chocolatey core and subtle mint and black pepper notes carry through a long, velvety finish.