The name conjures a tough row of dirt to farm and that’s precisely the nature of this appellation! Vineyards here share one rocky ridge, an active earthquake fault and an elevation of between 800-2000 feet elevation. The little known secret to this story, though, is a unique climatic condition characterized by moderate air temperatures, low moisture and a constant breeze. The result? Tough vines producing limited yields of exceptionally concentrated fruit.
Our Family’s Rockpile Ridge Vineyard is located at nearly 1,200 ft elevation in the Rockpile appellation. We pick the blocks at different times, and ferment these separately to insure the integrity and uniqueness of the individual blocks. Working with nine amazingly distinct blocks is a winemaking dream come true, and is what makes our Rockpile Ridge Zinfandel so spectacular.
In a vintage like 2010, you truly get an understanding of just how special Rockpile is. With its proximity to the coast, moderate temperature, and influence from Lake Sonoma, our Rockpile vineyards did not experience any of the devastating sunburn and desiccation that is so commonly associated with this vintage. Quite the opposite, the cooler than average summer gave us incredible hang time and a chance to develop well structured tannins and the complex flavor profile that Rockpile is so well known for.
On the nose, red fruit is complemented by earthen minerality and nuances of sweet oak and spice. Raspberry and baked fruit dominate the front palate giving way to a broad mouth feel. The tannins are supple and well balanced, exposing the richness of this wine. The finish is prototypical of Rockpile: long and focused. Full bodied with balanced acidity, this wine will age gracefully for the next 5-7 years.
This vineyard is characterized by its perfect western sun exposures, red volcanic soil, and steep slope. The sun exposure provides phenolic maturity without over ripe flavors. The soil composition and extreme slope are what really set this Zinfandel apart. The result of deep root systems and stressed vines, the nose is blend of minerals and spices. The tannins are very well integrated, allowing you to appreciate the full array of flavors being set forth by this wine.
Opulent and lush, the Jack's Cabin Zinfandel is definitely the jammiest of all the Rockpile zinfandels. There’s no mistaking the raspberry and blackberry in the nose, but it’s the subtle hints of chocolate, vanilla, and black pepper that heighten your senses. The mouth is big and round, full of soft velvet. For all of the ripe fruit, this wine still exhibits the Rockpile signature of great intensity and full tannins. This goes to show, there is a Rockpile Zinfandel for everyone, and some of us, there may be four.
Our family's Rockpile Ridge Vineyards are located at nearly 1,200 ft elevation in the Rockpile appellation. The Cemetery block gets its name from the unusual outcropping of rock at the bottom of the vineyard that resembles giant headstones. This area of the ranch has been called the Cemetery for over 140 years. The Cemetery Vineyard is planted in serpentine and shale based soils which is a result of straddling the Rodgers Creek Fault, one of the more active earthquake faults in Northern California.
In a vintage like 2010, you truly get an understanding of just how special Rockpile is. With its moderate temperatures, which are a result of its proximity to the coast and influence from Lake Sonoma, our Rockpile vineyards did not experience any of the devastating sunburn and desiccation that is so commonly associated with this vintage.
Quite the opposite, the cooler than average summer gave us incredible hang time and a chance to develop well-structured tannins and the complex flavor profile that Rockpile is so well known for.
The nose is quintessential Cemetery: dark fruit, hints of black pepper and sweet French oak. Broad on the front palate, the tannins are grainy and present throughout. Rich flavors of cobbler greet the mid palate, and the finish is characterized by spice and mineral notes. Typical of the Cemetery Vineyard, this wine will age beautifully for the next five to seven years.
2009 Petite Sirah Rockpile - Madrone Spring Vineyard
More often than not, Petite Sirah is done the disservice of being used as a blending wine. On the rare occasion that it is bottled as a variety, it usually has generous amounts of Zinfandel blended in to soften it. Like previous vintages, the 2008 Madrone Spring Vineyard Petite Sirah is 100% Petite Sirah, 100% from Rockpile, and there is nothing petite about it.
The black and violet hues cling to the glass, not only showing off the color but also the viscosity. The warmer growing conditions of the 2009 vintage exhibits ripe black fruit on the nose with sweet oak, minerals and spicy herbs rounding out the complex aromatic profile. Flavors of blueberry pie greet the front palate, followed by notes of fresh ground meat, and velvety tannins coat your mouth from front to back. While 2009 was a warmer vintage, the unique site ensures that there is balanced acidity on the finish. There is no doubt that this wine that will age gracefully. Please enjoy for at least the next decade.
CASES: 275
VINEYARD: Madrone Spring Vineyard
PRICE: $37 (4-bottle limit)
Our family’s Rockpile Ridge Vineyards are located at nearly 1,200 ft elevation in the Rockpile appellation. The Syrah is planted in the Madrone Spring block which is named after a year round spring that flows out of the roots of an old Madrone tree. This block receives minimal sun due to its eastern exposure. It is the last block harvested year in and year out and it shows in the complexity of flavor. We envisioned this site yielding a Northern Rhone style of Syrah and we have not been disappointed.
In our quest pay homage to the great wines of the Northern Rhone Valley, 2010 marks the first vintage we co-fermented our Madrone Spring Vineyard Syrah with a small amount of Viognier. Typical of the traditional French producers, we only used one percent. Combined with the great growing conditions in Rockpile for the 2010 vintage, this Syrah could be our best ever.
The nose is a mixture of blueberry pie, earthen spice, and cola. Restrained, yet focused on the palate, complex flavors of Dr. Pepper and fresh meat embolden the senses. The tannins are full and lush and the acid is perfectly balanced. The finish is graceful, showing the benefit of the extra time in barrel. While this wine should age beautifully for the next 6-8 years, it is stunning now!
CASES: 295
VINEYARD: Madrone Spring Vineyard
PRICE: $38
Back in the old days, when you wanted to find a big buck, you went to the area of the ranch called the Buck Pasture. These days you’ll find more big wines than big bucks coming from the Buck Pasture.
A variation from previous vintages, we are extremely excited that the 2009 Buck Pasture has a generous amount of Merlot in the blend. One of the primary varieties grown in the Bordeaux region of France, it is a major component of some of the finest wines in the world. The use of the Merlot exemplifies the evolution and maturity of the block.
The 2009 Buck Pasture is a harmonious blend that epitomizes the brotherhood of the Bordeaux varietals. The Cabernet flavors of cassis, black cherry, cola and tobacco are complimented by the traditional Merlot flavors of red fruit and minerals. The palate is no less enchanting: supple and focused tannins extend from the front palate through the finish. The flavor profile runs the spectrum from dark fruit to earthy notes and everything in between. The herbal and floral characters of Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot are on display in the mid palate. The acidity is perfectly integrated throughout but is most notable in the long finish. The tannins are such that they will age gracefully for the next 8-10 years.
Back in the old days when you wanted to find a big buck, you went to the area of the ranch called the Buck Pasture. These days the Buck Pasture is home to some of our Bordeaux varieties: Malbec, Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc. With an elevation of nearly 1,100 ft, an average slope of 25 degrees and sweeping southwestern sun exposures, you could not ask for a better place to grow Malbec. Comprised primarily of gravely loam soils, there is very little water retention which limits the vigor and yield of these vines.
Aromas of ripe strawberries and dark chocolate are complemented with hints of white pepper and mineral. The wine is fresh and vibrant on the front palate with loads of red fruit, yielding to exotic spices and rich oak flavors on the back palate. The tannins are velvety and round, giving the wine a lush mouth feel. It finishes with balanced acidity, making it a dynamic food wine. Though it is fabulous now, the 2010 Rockpile Malbec will age gracefully for the next six to seven years.
2010 Rockpile Cabernet Franc Rockpile – Buck Pasture Vineyard
The Buck Pasture is home to some of our Bordeaux varieties: Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. With an elevation of nearly 1,100 ft, an average slope of 25 degrees and sweeping southwestern sun exposures, you could not ask for a better place to grow Malbec. Comprised primarily of gravely loam soils, there is very little water retention which limits the vigor and yield of these vines.
Aromas of ripe strawberries and dark chocolate are complimented with hints of white pepper and mineral. The wine is fresh and vibrant on the front palate with loads of red fruit, yielding to exotic spices and rich oak flavors on the back palate. The tannins are velvety and round giving the wine a lush mouth feel. It finishes with balanced acidity, making it a dynamic food wine. Though it is fabulous now, the 2010 Rockpile Malbec will age gracefully for the next six to seven years.
We grow all five Bordeaux varieties in our Rockpile Ridge Vineyards: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The fruit is all harvested individually and fermented separately to insure the integrity and uniqueness of the individual lots. Working with the different varieties, sun exposures, soil compositions, slopes and drainage is a winemaker’s dreams come true!
The nose is full of red fruit, earthen minerals, and sweet/spicy oak. Lush on the entry, the wine has great weight. Intense flavors of dark cherry and dried fruit give way to the more subtle nuances of chocolate, espresso and ripe olive. The depth of the 2010 Rockpile Cabernet Sauvignon is only overshadowed by its amazing balance, showing restrained acid on the finish. Prototypical of this appellation: broad and complex tannins give this wine the wherewithal to age gracefully for the next 9-11 years.
Port has always been a passion of mine. Some of my fondest family memories revolve around the dinner table: great food, great wine and of course, finishing the evening off with a great bottle of Port. In 1999 when we started planting our Rockpile vineyards, I seized the opportunity to fulfill one of my wine aspirations: to make a vintage port using authentic Portuguese varieties. We planted four of the primary varieties used in the production of Port and we have exhausted every effort to make this wine as true to a vintage port as possible.
The 2010 Independence is a vibrant blackish, purple color. The viscosity of the wine is apparent from the second you pour it, the legs cling to the glass; further expressing its depth of color. Rich aromas of chocolate and caramelized maple are complemented by the fragrance of dark fruits. Flavors of blackberry and cherry reduction exemplify the fruit. Rich on the front palate without any sharp edges, structured tannins lay just below the surface. Complex flavors of tobacco, minerals and hints of freshly ground nutmeg compliment the ripe berry fruit. The great balance of this wine makes it enjoyable with sweets and aged cheeses. This wine should age well over the next 10-15 years.
elevation of between 800-2000 feet elevation. The little known secret to this story, though, is a unique climatic condition characterized by moderate air temperatures, low moisture and a constant breeze. The result? Tough vines producing limited yields of exceptionally concentrated fruit.
