Old Vine Zinfandel, Harney Lane Winery

Most people only think Zinfandel when they hear or see Lodi in the wine world, and rightly so. A little geography. Lodi is in the Central Valley of California. You start to see vineyards a while before you get to town. The first time that I saw it, and how flat it was, I thought to myself “I cannot believe this is where my favorite Zinfandel comes from!” Yet certain grape varieties love it here.Something magical happens when a grape vine begins to reach “old.” It has to do with how deep the roots are. In a 50 year old vine, depending on variety, that could be 30 to 40 feet deep at that age. Old vine, in most of the world, means 50 years. At that point the vine can take in so much more minerals and better regulate its water.One of the best vintners of Old Vine Zinfandel is Harney Lane Winery. They have vines well into their 80s and some over 100! The family that still owns Harney Lane was part of the original experiment to grow grapes around Lodi. Time is the ultimate test when it comes to wine, and wines from here have been acing that test for generations. My first bottle of Old Vine Zin is in my bag. On to the next winery.