Coturri Winery

Excerpt from website:
Coturri Estate Vineyard
Zinfandel and Chardonnay (7-acres)
Sonoma Mountain

The history: The Coturri Estate Vineyard is situated at the Coturri Winery along Enterprise Road on Sonoma Mountain. It is above the tiny hamlet of Glen Ellen in the region known as the Valley of the Moon. Red Coturri and his sons Phil and Tony first planted 2-acres of vines in 1967, and another 5-acres in 1975. The Estate Vineyard is a second generation planting – the first was pre-prohibition before the 1920′s. The vineyard is comprised of primarily of Martini Monte Rosso Zinfandel clones on phylloxera resistant St. George rootstock, with approximately a half acre of Chardonnay. The Coturri Estate Vineyard is dry farmed, and head pruned in the traditional Italian goblet style.

Micro-Climate: The location is unique for a Sonoma Valley Appellation vineyard- it sits at 750 feet above sea level, which is a perfect elevation for Zinfandel grapes. Tucked into the cleavage of Sonoma Mountain, the vines receive a southeast sun exposure. Creeping seasonal coastal fog off the Pacific Ocean injects a beneficial cooling effect during the summer months and the vineyard avoids the extreme heat that vines on the valley floor get. Conversely, from January to April, it is warmer up on Sonoma Mountain and the vines are protected from winter and spring frosts.

The coolness of Sonoma Mountain and the low grape yield results in a very lush and soft style of Zinfandel. The Estate Zin always has a very broad on the palate feel, the wine spreads out through the mouth. We tend to let the fruit hang longer than most vineyards and consistently get a late harvest style of wine: very dark color, blackberries and apple pie in the nose, a sweet black fruit mid palate and supple and balancing acidity. This combination results in a good drinking, flavorful Zinfandel.

Link to Coturri Winery