At Terra d’Oro, Zinfandel is what we do best. Shallow topsoils, granite hardpan, hot summer days, and cool summer nights make a fabulous home for our favorite varietal. Hand selected every year from our prestigious Amador vineyards, Terra d’Oro Amador County Zinfandel is the flagship of our Zinfandel program. We head train and spur prune the Terra d'Oro vineyards for optimum sunlight and controlled crop.

At Terra d’Oro, our Zinfandel vineyards are carefully handpicked and brought to the winery for processing. After being put into a hopper, about fifteen gallons of juice per ton of grapes is removed. The grapes are then destemmed and crushed and the must is sent to tanks where it is left to cold soak for up to three days. This allows a primary extraction where water acts as a solvent and breaks down the cell walls of the grape solids, extracting flavors, color, and aromas. The fermentors are drained and returned three times, resulting in more extraction than merely pumping over the tanks. After gentle tank pressing, the wine was aged in a combination of Hungarian, French and American oak for 16 months.

"The 2008 Terra d’Oro Amador County Zinfandel demonstrates the classic Sierra Foothills characteristics that are unique to this region. The nose is rich and super spicy with dark fruit and berries. The palate is smooth and showscases flavors of nicely ripened blackberries and plums. Spice lingers on the finish, making it a great wine to accompany a multitude of dishes. Try pairing with a lamb burger topped with goat cheese. Enjoy!"

— Chris Leamy, Winemaker