presented by Andrew & Robin of Cellar Door Wine Shop
Painted Fields Old Vine Zinfandel
Andis Wines operates a sleek, state-of-the-art facility in the Sierra Foothills AVA of California, a historic region deeply tied to the 1850s Gold Rush era. Under the visionary winemaking direction of Mark McKenna and consulting winemaker Philippe Melka, the estate strives to honor the raw heritage of old-school California viticulture. This specific “Painted Fields” cuvée gathers fruit from dry-farmed, head-pruned vines anchored in highly drained decomposed granite and sandy loam soils. By rejecting the modern style of heavy, jammy fruit-bombs, Andis focuses on creating structural balance, freshness, and multi-layered complexity that celebrates the true historical potential of the foothills.
The 2022 vintage displays a remarkably sleek, vertical, and elegantly structured frame that delivers brilliant varietal typicity. In the cellar, the winemakers intentionally co-ferment the fruit in stainless steel vats using native wild yeasts before maturing the juice for 14 months in French oak barrels (with only 15% new oak to avoid heavy wood masking).
Appellation: Sierra Foothills AVA, California, USA
Grapes: 95% Zinfandel, 5% Barbera – ABV: 14.6%
Tasting notes: Sleek, fragrant, and spicy. It shows off inviting aromas of red currant, wild bramble, and rooibos tea, unfolding into a balanced palate full of crunchy berry fruit, fine tannins, and a white pepper finish.
Pairing: Best served at a cool cellar temperature of 14–16°C. Its bright acidity allows it to complement smoky wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked pulled pork sliders, or grilled lamb skewers.
Producer: Andis Wines
San Moro Primitivo di Manduria DOC ~ 2023
The San Moro brand is an impressively modern affair produced in collaboration with the historic Produttori di Manduria cooperative in Puglia, Italy. Established in 1932, the association manages hundreds of hectares of bush-trained vines in the Salento peninsula, widely recognized as the spiritual epicenter for the Primitivo grape variety (Zinfandel’s genetic twin). Sourced from the strict Primitivo di Manduria designation, the roots dig deep into iron-rich red soils over limestone layers. The winemaking team merges state-of-the-art facilities with ancient coastal practices, utilizing maritime sea winds to keep old vines healthy and preserve structural equilibrium under the hot Mediterranean sun.
The 2023 vintage is an authentic, full-bodied expression that is carefully vinified to maintain a dry, highly structured profile rather than over-extracted sweetness.
Appellation: Primitivo di Manduria DOC, Puglia, Italy
Grapes: 100% Primitivo (Zinfandel) – ABV: 14.5%
Tasting notes: Bold, smooth, and dry. It layers intense aromas of black plum, sour cherry, and leather over a rich, full-bodied palate framed by well-integrated oak spices and a soft, lingering finish.
Pairing: Best served at 16–18°C. This rustic red serves as a perfect companion to slow-roasted leg of lamb, rich wild boar ragù, pasta al forno, or hard, aged pecorino cheese.
Producer: Produttori di Manduria
Kairos Plano Red – Crljenak Kastelanski ~ 2018
The independent Kairos Vina estate sits on steep, sun-drenched hillsides above Trogir within the Dalmatia region of Croatia. The winery draws deep inspiration from bringing the indigenous grape Crljenak Kaštelanski—the absolute ancient genetic origin of American Zinfandel and Italian Primitivo—back home to Croatia after centuries of obscurity. The organically farmed single vineyard is planted on highly challenging limestone terrains looking down at the Adriatic Sea. This extreme landscape forces the vines to struggle, producing exceptionally low yields of thick-skinned berries that possess great concentration, strong structural acidity, and high aging potential.
The 2018 “Plano Red” bottling represents a highly complex, organic, and incredibly unique window into Old World Zinfandel history. To build its powerful framework, the wine is matured for 24 months in small barrique oak barrels (50% new, splitting oak types between Croatian and French wood) before resting another year in stainless steel and 6 months in bottle. It displays a dense, deep ruby-red color.
Appellation: Dalmatia, Croatia
Grapes: 100% Crljenak Kaštelanski (Zinfandel) – ABV: 13.8%
Tasting notes: Powerful, savory, and complex. Showing an evolved bouquet of black raspberry, woodsmoke, and freshly turned earth, it delivers a dense, medium-to-full-bodied palate with soft tannins and a slightly sweet, spicy finish.
Pairing: Best served at 16–18°C. Built for gamey meats and heavy dishes, it pairs excellently with Steak Diane, rich beef briskets, wild mushroom stews, or wood-fired pizzas.
Producer: Kairos Vina
Les Étonnants Zinfandel L’Arjolle
The avant-garde Domaine de l’Arjolle is situated in the Languedoc region of Southern France, a landscape traditionally dominated by Mediterranean grapes like Grenache and Syrah. Following an inspiring trip to Napa Valley in 1989, the estate’s founders fell completely in love with California Zinfandel and bucked strict local traditions by planting the grape on French soils. The “Les Étonnants” (The Astonishing) range is specifically designed to go “off-piste,” gathering rare grape varieties to challenge classic expectations. Grown on clay-limestone hillsides that capture intense French sunshine balanced by evening cool air, l’Arjolle successfully crafts the only commercial Zinfandel block in all of France.
The 2023 vintage stands as a unique, powerful, yet remarkably elegant red wine that merges California richness with French finesse. Vinified cleanly to emphasize pure varietal fruit expression, the wine is built to age beautifully up to 5 years inside the cellar. In the glass, it reveals a deep, intense ruby-red color.
Appellation: IGP Côtes de Thongue / Vin de France, Languedoc, France
Grapes: 100% Zinfandel – ABV: 14.5%
Tasting notes: Generous, deep, and unique. It balances ripe aromas of blackberry, plum, and black pepper over an ample, medium-to-full-bodied palate defined by supple tannins and a clean, refreshing mineral lift.
Pairing: Best enjoyed at a cellar temperature of 15–17°C. It serves as an exceptional companion to herb-roasted duck breast, grilled hangar steak, rich cassoulet, or smoky barbecue dishes.
Producer: Domaine de l’Arjolle
