2021 Brady Vineyard - Zinfandel Paso Robles

Brady Vineyard was founded in 2001 by Don Brady, who brought decades of farming experience to a 24-acre property in the Estrella District of Paso Robles. A native of Texas, Brady named the estate for the wild lupines that carpet the vineyard each spring, echoing the bluebonnets of his home state, and that flower still appears on every label. The winery farms its vines sustainably and in small lots, aiming for wines that reflect the character of the land rather than heavy-handed winemaking.

The Zinfandel grows in gravelly, alluvial soils along the Estrella River, terrain shaped by centuries of runoff from the surrounding hills. Days here run hot, but nightly breezes drifting in from the Pacific cool the vines enough to preserve acidity and aromatic lift. Cropped at modest yields to concentrate flavor, the grapes are harvested at full ripeness and finished with time in oak, which lends structure without masking the variety's natural exuberance.

This Zinfandel pours a deep crimson and opens with raspberry, cracked black pepper, vanilla, and baking spice on the nose. The palate is rich and velvety, with bramble fruit, a rustic plum-like core, and gentle acidity carrying through to an oak-tinged finish. Its bold, spice-driven character makes it a natural match for grilled sausages, aged cheddar, or a hearty tomato-based pasta.