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Old Vines is composed of a variety of old sites from California that are either too small to be made into a vineyard designate wine or are “new” to the Turley family (and way of farming). Vines are anywhere from 41 to 129 years old, and a true representation of California old vine Zinfandel, hailing from vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lodi, Contra Costa, Amador and Paso Robles.
Farming: Organic
Name of Winemaker/Chef du Cave: Tegan Passalacqua
Varieties: Zinfandel 95%, Mataro (Mourvèdre), Alicante Bouschet, Petite Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault 5% .Average age of vines: 89 years
Terroir: From 23 Vineyards, 10 of which are over 100 years old, 3 of which are undrafted. Regions represented, north to south: Mendocino Ridge AVA, Mendocino County; Amador County AVA, Sierra Foothills; St. Helena AVA, Napa Valley; Moon Mountain AVA, Sonoma County; Lodi AVA, Sacramento & San Joaquin Counties; Contra Costa County AVA; Lime Kiln AVA, San Benito County; Willow Creek District AVA, Paso Robles
Vinification/Oak Usage: only indigenous yeasts used in all fermentations.
Aging: Spends 12 months in barrel, 80% French oak, 20% American (overall only 10% new oak
History of Estate/Information about vineyard,etc:
After founding the Frog's Leap winery with business partner John Williams in 1981, then ER physician Larry Turley had taken a shining to the wines made from Zinfandel & Petite Syrah, growing particularly fond of those made from old vine vineyards. Eventually, he sold his half of Frog’s Leap to John and started Turley Wine Cellars in 1993.
Primarily focused on single-vineyard designate Zinfandel and Petite Syrah and working with old vine vineyards, Larry aimed to both create and preserve California’s unique winemaking culture.
Today, all of Turley's vineyards are either Certified Organic by California Certified Organic Farmers or in the process of certification, and they use all natural yeasts during fermentation. Tegan Passalacqua was hired as Head Winemaker and Vineyard Manager in 2013 and now manages over two dozen vineyards throughout California.