If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve discovered my new “winemaker to watch.” Mark Flowers, owner and winemaker for Mark Edward Wines astonished me with his delicate Zinfandel and the friendly expression of his Petite Sirah. So, even though I’m often skeptical of red blends — especially those that begin with Zinfandel — I was not afraid to pop the cork of another one of Mark’s wines. In fact, by this time I was excited just to see what else this young man can do…
Pazienza 2015 Petite Sirah
I ended my review of Mark Edward Wines 2015 Ceja Vineyard Zinfandel saying, “I can’t wait to taste what else Mark Edward Wines produces.” Well I didn’t have to wait long. 2015 celebrates the first vintage owner and winemaker Mark Flowers began his partnership with Jesus Ceja of Ceja Farms Vineyard, who allowed the young winemaker to purchase his iconic organic fruit and create his second vintage of Petite Sirah.
Terra d’Oro 2015 Deaver Vineyard Zinfandel
Travel back in time to when Zinfandel was first planted in California. It was during the Gold Rush Era, and the heart of the Era laid amongst the foothills of the Sierras. This is where the Deaver Vineyard was planted over 130 years ago in 1881.
Not long ago I had a chance to taste through Terra d’Oro’s line up of Italian-inspired varietals: Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Barbera, and of course Zinfandel. Without a doubt, the standout is their Deaver Vineyard Zinfandel. With its simultaneous delicacy and rusticity, a sip of this Zin will have you reveling in the mysteriousness of what has become California’s heritage grape.
Pedroncelli 2015 Mother Clone Zinfandel
Zinfandel was one of the first grapes planted in California when folks migrated to California during the Gold Rush era. And while there’s no real legal definition for the term “old vine,” vintners take great pride when their vineyard source can boast true roots to those first plantings. Pedroncelli’s estate vineyards have been planted to Zinfandel since 1904. Today the vineyard blocks contain a second generation vineyard cloned from the original “Mother” vines, which were replanted in the 1980s. The Pedroncelli ‘Mother Clone Zinfandel’ is so named because a small portion of fruit from the remaining over 100-plus-year-old vines is harvested and blended into this exquisite old-soul of a wine.
Pazienza 2015 Ceja Vineyard Zinfandel
The story of Mark Edward Wines is the story of a man who took what he knew — entrepreneurial business — and combined it with what he loved — wine. In the summer 2014 Mark Flowers took the plunge and fully immersed himself in the wine industry, taking on an internship under the tutelage under the collective winemakers at Sheldon, Two Shepherds and Krutz Family Cellars. It wasn’t long after that that Mark began making his own wines, connecting with prestigious vineyards and sourcing some of the best fruit Sonoma has to offer. And I can tell you right now, the moral of this wine story: Good things come in small batches…
