The Wines
We had very, very small crops in 2008. The hot weather required us to severely prune Dawn Hill Ranch to help the vines in the part of the vineyard with shallow soils. Dry farming doesn't allow much flexibility.
October 2008 was the first harvest from Rattlesnake Ridge, so we kept the crop load small to allow the young vines to develop without being overtaxed. We are training the vines to produce fruit, but we want to allow them to set their roots and mature slowly.
The production of all three wines was too small to meet the minimum production levels for wine competitions so we'll have to depend on the critics evaluations.
Current Releases
2006 Half Acre Zinfandel is Jane's favorite of all of our wines. It is much lighter and fruity than any of the Dawn Hill wines we have made. It is so different from the others that we have labeled it under this different brand. Its lighter style and bottle age make it very easy drinking as soon as you pull the cork. Raspberries and cherries backed up with a bit of spice. $18 |  |
2007 Dawn Hill Ranch Zinfandel is medium to full-bodied with concentrated dark cassis and plum. Dawn Hill Ranch produces a lighter style than Rattlesnake Ridge, but the fruit and tannins are well integrated. It has been aged in barrel for thirty months. $28 Gold Medal at 2011 SF Chronicle Wine Competition |  |
2008 Rattlesnake Ridge Zinfandel is youthful, but maturing into a wine of quiet intensity, emphasizing elegance and complexity. The flavor is deep, full of dark fruit notes of currant and black cherry, together with hints of licorice and tobacco. Aged in 100% new French Oak. It now has had enough bottle age to have integrated the tannins. Drink and enjoy. Last tasted 28 November 2011. $42 |  |
2008 Dawn Hill Ranch Zinfandel is lush showing ripe dark fruit flavors along with the cherry flavors that are characteristic of this vineyard. We aged it in used French Oak barrels for 18 months before bottling. $28 |  |
2008 Rattlesnake Ridge Petite Sirah is inky, complex and voluptuous. True to the variety, this wine is bold and tannic, and it will certainly benefit from some more time in bottle. The warm 2008 summer seemed perfect for developing classic flavors. Sold Out |  |