2018 Ballentine Vineyards - Zinfandel Napa Estate

Ballentine Vineyards traces its roots to 1933, when John Ballentine received one of Napa Valley's original bonded winery licenses shortly after Prohibition ended. Decades later, his descendants Betty and Van revived the family name, building a winery in 1995 behind their century-old farmhouse after years of selling grapes to well-known Napa producers. Today winemaker Bruce Devlin, at the helm since 1999, crafts small production, red wine only bottlings that reflect the family's long history on the land.

This Zinfandel comes entirely from the estate's own sustainably farmed vineyards, spread across roughly 75 acres in three distinct sites: Crystal Springs at the base of Howell Mountain, Pocai Ranch between the Napa River and the Silverado Trail, and the Home Vineyard surrounding the winery itself. The warm northern Napa climate suits Zinfandel particularly well, encouraging full ripeness while the varied soils across the three sites add layers of complexity to the finished blend.

The wine shows classic briary, brambly Zinfandel character, with deep blackberry and black plum fruit backed by cedar, sage, and black pepper. Moderate, well integrated tannins give it structure without heaviness, leading to a long, spicy finish. It pairs well with spice-rubbed pork ribs, grilled sausages, or a sharp pepper jack cheese.