Birichino - Saint Georges Vineyard - Zinfandel 2018
Birichino is located in Santa Cruz, California in the United States. The estate was founded in 2008 by Alex Krause and John Locke after 40 years of winemaking experience in California, France, Italy and beyond. They source from a number of carefully farmed, family-owned, own-rooted 19th and early 20th century vineyards planted by and large in more moderate, marine-influenced climates. Their preference is for minimal intervention, most often favouring native fermentations, employing stainless or neutral barrels, minimal racking and fining, and avoiding filtration altogether when possible. They work alongside 9 vineyards: Antle, Bechthold, Besson, Boer, Enz, Jurassic Park, Lilo, Oasis and Peter Martin Ray.
Saint Georges is made from Zinfandel, most of whose vines were planted in 1922. The harvest is entirely destemmed and fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts. The alcoholic and malolactic fermentations are carried out in neutral barrels, then the wine is aged for 9 months in barrels.
Grape variety: 100% Zinfandel