In the 1970’s a new marketing trend dictated that growers plant more expensive and famous French varieties instead and the arrival of Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and a new emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon nearly sealed the doom of the old vineyards.

White Zinfandel became the new outlet for some growers’ otherwise unsellable grapes and helped to at least keep some old vines in the ground. Today’s Zinfandel has dwindled to about 5% of Napa Valley acreage, but with increasingly strong consumer interest, the number of wineries producing Zinfandel is growing. Biale is one of the few Napa Valley wineries actively putting in new plantings of Zinfandel. And most interestingly, some of the oldest vines (among the world’s oldest) are still around – relics of a bygone era and a golden age where grapes were farmed for affordable enjoyments’ sake rather than for status’ sake. These are the vineyards we cherish most – historical living links to our agricultural past.

A small composition of 20 barrels of our best from several vineyards, this spicy and berry-saturated Zinfandel shows the array of bursting flavors unique to Napa Valley and textural tenderness you have come to expect from Biale Zinfandel.

Will improve for 3-4 years.