2021 Andis - Zinfandel Sierra Foothills Painted Fields Old Vine (750ml)

Painted Fields Old Vine Zinfandel is Andis Wines' tribute to the generations of Amador County farmers who kept faith with Zinfandel long before it became fashionable, tending some vineyards for over a century. The wine is crafted by winemaker Mark Fowler alongside consultants Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky, the same team behind the estate's acclaimed Cabernet program, with the goal of capturing the leaner, more elegant style of Zinfandel that would have been made in the Sierra Foothills during the California Gold Rush era, rather than the jammy, high-alcohol style the variety later became known for.

The 2021 vintage blends ninety-five percent Zinfandel with five percent Barbera, sourced from five historic vineyards planted between the 1910s and 2003, including Andis Estate, Di Stasio, and Fox Creek. Grapes grow on decomposed granite and sandy loam soils at elevations between 1,500 and 1,800 feet. After fermentation in temperature-controlled steel tanks, the wine aged fourteen months in French oak, with only fifteen percent new barrels used to keep the focus on fruit rather than oak influence.

The wine offers aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and black plum, layered with chocolate, star anise, and tobacco. Chewy yet balanced tannins carry through to a long finish. Pair it with grilled sausages, baby back ribs, or a hearty bowl of chili.