Pedroncelli “Mother Clone” Zinfandel
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Pedroncelli’s historic Zinfandel vineyards are located on the hillsides surrounding the winery, on the ranch originally purchased by John Pedroncelli Sr. in 1927 and planted to Zinfandel since 1904.
- The Pedroncelli house is founded on Zinfandel. It was the first grape planted in the early 1900s, it was the first wine Giovanni made after Prohibition ended and it was also the first varietal labeled under the Pedroncelli name in 1947.
- Using the budwood from the mother vineyard to clone a second generation carries the vineyard story forward, echoing the generations of Pedroncelli family.
- The fruit from three generations of these “mother” vines are part of the blend as well as fruit from the Bushnell and Giovannoni vineyards.
Varietal Composition: 91% Zinfandel, 9% Petite Sirah
Elaboration: At the crushpad, destemmed grapes are transferred to a fermentation tank to cold soak for 48 hours and then is inoculated with selected yeast. Daily pump-overs and fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks with delestage regimes are done for maximum phenolic extraction. Pressing follows and the new wine is transferred to storage tanks until barreled down. Twelve months of aging in American oak barrels develops additional complexity. The addition of Petite Sirah (9%) adds depth of color and brings structure to the wine.
Tasting Notes: Our Mother Clone is a classic ‘Dry Creek’ Zinfandel with aromas of ripe red berries with a touches of cinnamon, vanilla and white pepper spice. Red cherry flavors combine with vanilla, licorice and warm baking spices. The berry-spice combination, so typical of Dry Creek Zin, includes a touch of pepper with the rounded finish which are a hallmark of our style. Enjoy now or cellar for three to five years.
PRESS
2016 – 89 Wine Spectator
2017 – 89 Wine Advocate
2018 – 89 Wine Spectator
2020 – 90 Wine Spectator | 90 James Suckling | 90 Wine Enthusiast
2021 – 92 Wine Enthusiast
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Since 1927, when John Pedroncelli Sr. purchased vineyard and a small winery in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, two elements remain unchanged: the exceptional place the Pedroncelli family farms vineyards, and the family’s dedication to making fine wines. From selling grapes to home winemakers during prohibition in order to keep the vineyards going, to growing a small base of business during the 1930s and 1940s, to the second generation joining their father. The eldest, John, became winemaker in 1948 followed by the younger son, Jim in 1955, as sales director. In 1963 the winery was officially purchased by John and Jim from their father, to growing the line of wines in the 1960s with vineyard expansion and diversification, to the boom time of the 1970s and 1980s along with many changes and additions to the sales base including national sales and export. The third generation came on board and vineyard replanting in the 1990s to the 21st century refining their focus to restaurants and casual dining/meet-up wine bars and independent wine shops across the nation. The transfer of ownership of the company to the third generation (now a 70% woman owned company with a woman winemaker!) to the second decade in the new millennium where the fourth generation is coming up the ranks…Nine decades strong, they are still family owned and operated. It all adds up to tradition, heritage and a family of wines you can enjoy with confidence.