Valravn Old Vine Zinfandel

The Vibrant, Multi-Appellation Tapestry of Sonoma Heritage

Indulge in the rich, pre-Prohibition history of California winemaking with Valravn Old Vine Zinfandel, a sleek and expressive red wine that punches far above its weight class. Crafted by winemaking veteran Rob Fischer (the same creative mind behind elite projects like Marine Layer and the original iterations of Banshee), Valravn operates with a singular, noble mission: to rescue old-vine Sonoma fruit from being swallowed up by massive corporate blending programs. By hand-crafting these historic, low-yielding plots separately, Valravn delivers a stunning masterclass in precision, finessed texture, and high-value density.

The exceptional complexity of Valravn lies in its meticulous multi-vineyard sourcing strategy. The wine draws its soul from bush-pruned, head-trained vineyards averaging 40 years of age, with individual prized blocks surpassing a century (ranging from 50 to 105 years old). Rather than relying on a single plot, Fischer pulls fruit from a diverse matrix of Sonoma County’s finest sub-appellations—anchored by the rugged, peppery backbone of Dry Creek Valley, and layered with smaller, high-character parcels from the Russian River Valley, Rockpile, Alexander Valley, and Yorkville Highlands.

To preserve the juicy integrity of these thick-skinned grapes, the fruit is entirely hand-harvested at optimal ripeness and hand-sorted. In the cellar, the whole berries undergo a gentle 24-hour cold soak to extract deep color and unctuous flavor without harsh components. It is then slowly fermented in stainless steel before being racked into French oak barrels (approximately 15% to 20% new, bridging first-use to neutral cooperage) for up to 10 to 12 months, resulting in an uncompromised, silky structure.

Taste Profile & Pairings

• The Profile: Glistening deep ruby-purple in the glass with bright rim variations. It commands a beautifully balanced, medium-to-full body, a supple, velvet-smooth texture on the mid-palate, and incredibly polished, fine-grained tannins driven by a zippy backbone of natural acidity.

• Flavor Highlights: An effusive, highly expressive nose of boysenberry, cassis, and ripe black plums opens beautifully, layered with cocoa nibs, sweet baking spices, and a unique, violet-like floral lift. The entry is lush and fruit-forward, flooding the palate with concentrated blackberry compote, wild strawberry, and a chocolatey core accented by licorice-laced black pepper and a subtle touch of fresh mint.

• The Finish: Elegant, long, and velvety, resolving with a satisfyingly dry close and a lingering trail of dark cocoa, spiced rhubarb, and a comforting dust of cracked black pepper.

• Perfect Food Pairings: This balanced, spice-driven heritage red is a phenomenal asset at the dinner table. It pairs magnificently alongside slow-cooked barbecued pulled pork, wood-fired pepperoni pizzas, grilled flank steak with chimichurri, hearty pasta with rich red meat sauces, or gourmet burgers.

• Serving Suggestion: To let its complex layers of mocha, baking spice, and deep forest fruit completely unfold, give this Zinfandel a light 20-to-30-minute breathe time in a decanter and serve at a slightly cool cellar temperature (60°F–65°F).

Product Specifications

• Size: 750ml Bottle

• Region: Sonoma County (Dry Creek, Russian River, Rockpile, Alexander Valley), California, USA

• Wine Type: Dry Red Wine

• Grape Varieties: Typically ~90% Zinfandel, seamlessly enriched with a ~10% field mix of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Cabernet Sauvignon

• Winemaker: Rob Fischer

• Vine Age: Sourced from old, bush-pruned vines averaging 40 to 100+ years old

• Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 14.5%

A masterfully finessed crowd-pleaser. By marrying the natural fruit concentration of centenarian rootstocks with elegant, restrained French oak aging, Valravn Old Vine Zinfandel over-delivers a racy, opulent tasting experience at an unbeatable everyday price point—making it a perfect centerpiece for your next casual dinner party, weekend cookout, or a reliable addition to your home wine rotation.