A NOTE ON OUR WINEMAKING:
All of our vineyards are either certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers or somewhere in the process, and we use all natural yeasts in the fermentations. The below single vineyard designate wines are aged in 80% used oak barriques, of which 80% are French (the rest American) and bottled after 15-18 months in barrel.
2019 Turley “Bechthold Vineyard” Cinsault, Lodi
Planted in 1885, this Cinsault vineyard is certainly the oldest of its kind in the United States, and perhaps even the oldest Cinsault in the world! A light-bodied red grape, Cinsault (pronounced SAHN-so) is usually found in the south of France as a component of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône Valley, or consumed as rosé in Provence. The Bechthold Vineyard vines are gnarly, head-trained and dry-farmed in deep, sandy soils. They’re also ungrafted, meaning they remain on their original vitis vinifera roots that were first planted 135 years ago, a phenomenon nearly impossible to replicate today. The wine is light-bodied with fresh, high acidity, almost akin to a Gamay or a very light Pinot Noir. It’s fermented using only natural yeasts and aged in 100% used French oak.
Stunningly ruby-colored and brilliant yet translucent, almost jewel-like, in the glass. Lifted aromatics of spiced cherry, pomegranate, peach, and light nougat. Fresh, lip-smacking medium-plus acidity and lush, silky fruit glide along the structured yet velvety palate. The tannins are reminiscent of Burgundy, with just a touch of grip and a long finish. The 2019 Cinsault has the unique depth and complexity that can only be found in a wine from truly ancient vines. Excellent as an aperitif alongside charcuterie, or for that person who insists on drinking red wine with their fish! We recommend serving this wine lightly chilled, around 50-60°F, slightly colder than cellar temperature. If you prefer more body, this wine will take on weight with time in the bottle, and will age very well.
The gnarly, 135-year-old, head-trained dry-farmed Bechthold Cinsault vines!
2018 Turley “Juvenile” Zinfandel, California
Though the vast majority of our wines are single vineyard designates, Juvenile is actually composed of a variety of young vines that have been replanted in several of our old vine sites. We tag the younger vines then pick them separately and make a distinct wine. The vines that make up Juvenile range in age from about 6-25 years, and we pull from a selection of our best vineyards across California, including Hayne, Pesenti, Salvador, Vineyard 101, Fredericks and the Estate.
Hailing from 29 vineyards in 11 different counties across our beautiful Golden State, the Turley Juvenile sets the standard for classic California Zinfandel. Bright, vibrant pepper and spice, with lovely lifted red fruits, satiating acidity, and a hint of blue fruits as well. Lithely textured with pure precision and tons of energy on the palate. Ready to drink now at cellar temperature, about 55-65°F.
Dawn over the young vines at the Turley Estate Vineyard, Napa Valley.
2018 Turley “Steacy Ranch” Zinfandel, Lodi
Planted in 1907, Steacy Ranch was one of the first vineyards planted on St. George rootstock in Lodi, a pairing that has since become the gold standard for Zinfandel in California. Located in the Tokay fine sandy loam soils on the east side of Lodi, these head-trained, dry-farmed Zinfandel vines are interspersed with Grenache, Carignane, and Mission varieties as well, all common bedfellows in these classic old California vineyards. We are thrilled to add this venerable vineyard to the Turley family of old vine Zinfandels!
Ripe, pretty, racy, spicy: the Steacy Ranch is pure, classic California Zinfandel. The nose overflows with plum, blood orange, bergamot, red cherry, and a bit of earthy matcha for good measure. Dense yet plush on the palate, with the stunning richness and volume typical of this beloved vintage. Freshly crushed cherries & citrus along with some savory herbal garrigue and a texture reminiscent of wines of the Rhône Valley. If you love the copious fruits and mouthfeel of the Napa Estate as well as the piquant spices and refinement of the Dogtown, then the Steacy is most certainly right for you. Ready to drink now, and best served at cellar temperature, about 55-65°F. The wine will also age well if you prefer to lay it down.
Winemaker Tegan Passalacqua in the 113-year-old Steacy Vineyard. For the record, he’s 6’4”!
2018 Turley “Duarte” Zinfandel, Contra Costa County
This wine is an homage to Joe Duarte, a prominent grape grower in Contra Costa who first introduced Turley to the incredible vineyards of the area. The wine is comprised of fruit from the turn-of-the-century Evangehlo, Mori and Salvador vineyards, planted between 1890 and 1930. Thanks to the sandy soils and impressive age of the vines, the wine has some of the softest, silkiest tannins we’ve ever seen in a Zinfandel.
An engaging nose of sun-ripened peach skin with tones of dark blue fruits and flowers as well. The palate is teeming with ripe berries and stone fruits, with the Duarte’s signature suave, mouth-watering texture. Excessively easy to drink immediately, the wine showed stellar from the very first pour! Shows especially well when served at cellar temperature, about 55-65°F.
2019 Turley Zinfandel Rosé, California
We select a few of our Zinfandel vines to pick early (at 19 brix) to make this vivid, dry, delightful rosé. This old-world re-imagining of California’s infamous rosé wine was conceived of by Larry’s eldest daughter, Christina, while she was still working as a sommelière in New York City. The idea of a dry Zinfandel rosé (which Christina lovingly and cheekily refers to as “white zin”) was, at first blush (heh) heartily rejected by Larry; imagine an expletive-ridden “when pigs fly.” Once Christina returned home to work for the winery, she could hound Larry from a shorter distance, and he finally gave in.
The first vintage was 2011. The tiny production was offered to a group of select restaurants, and it sold out in a matter of hours. Since then, we’ve made just a few cases every other year, and its popularity remains high. Indeed, Christina credits the success and impact of the Turley “White Zinfandel” as the impetus behind her landing on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list in 2014. The wine is fermented completely dry using only natural yeasts, and finishes fermentation in 100% used French oak barrels. We— Christina especially—are thrilled to have finally made enough to be able to offer our beloved “White Zin” to our mailing list for the first time ever!
Delicate, pale pink rose petals, cherry blossom, peach fuzz and melon abound on the dynamic nose. Juicy mouth-watering acidity with an elegant, nimble texture on the palate, and a well-structured and thoroughly refreshing finish. Though akin to Provençal rosés in the way it’s made, this wine is distinctly Californian, and pure joy. Ready to drink now well-chilled (40-50°F; for reference, 40°F is about the temp of your food fridge) and will open up nicely as it warms in the glass! Bottled in the unique Turley bottle you know & love, but with a white label and capsule, so you’re sure not to confuse it with the lesser-known “red” Zinfandels you may possess.
2018 Turley Napa Petite Syrah, Napa Valley
While there’s no doubt that our first love is Zinfandel, our Petite Syrah is a very close second. A perfect counterpoint to the lush fruit and broad, expansive textures of Zinfandel, the Petite Syrah grape is pure taut power and potential. Very dark in color thanks to the extremely high anthocyanin content (the antioxidant found in red wine). Indeed, Petite Syrah has one of the highest concentrations of this compound around! We absolutely adore this wine, and hope you will, too.
This particular Petite Syrah hails from two certified organic vineyards nearly adjacent to one another in northern Napa Valley. Recently, we took cuttings from the Hayne and Library Petite Syrah plantings, and replicated them on our Estate, planting them head-trained and dry-farmed. (The Estate Petite Syrah single-vineyard bottling comes primarily from the older Petite Syrah plantings on the property.) These younger mixed vines are blended with fruit from the neighboring Casa Nuestra vineyard, one of the other longest-certified organic properties in Napa…besides us! Another mixed planting of head-trained and dry-farmed vines, these are older—planted in the 1970s— and add gorgeous fruit, depth, and complexity. Think of it as a “baby” version of the Estate, Library, or Casa Nuestra bottlings: plenty of body and savory characteristics, but slightly more approachable and youthful!
Profound, powerful, and pungent nose. India ink, pink peppercorns, pain grillé and savory roasted meats all proliferate. Give it a few vigorous swirls and even more aromas lift from the glass: lavender, garrigue, plums, blue fruits, and a sun-warmed brambly blackberry bush. The palate echoes the myriad flavors found on the nose, with a juicy density, robust tannins, and a long, satiating finish. Though medium weight for a PS, this wine is certainly much fuller bodied than our Zinfandels; while it doesn’t necessarily require decanting, it will likely benefit from doing so, and be even more expressive in your glass. Serve alongside a hearty grilled, smoked, BBQ’d, or otherwise boldly-flavored meal at the same temperature as the Zinfandel, about 55- 65°F.
2018 Turley “Estate Vineyard” Zinfandel, Napa Valley
This vineyard is special to all of us here at the winery; right in our backyard, it’s what we see every day at work (and from the family home!). In 2006, we planted 6 acres of head-trained dry-farmed Zinfandel that compliments the original planting from ten years prior, all of which are certified organic.
2018 is the 20th vintage of Turley’s Estate Zinfandel! Vibrantly colored and deeply aromatic, the ’18 Estate Zin is true Napa Valley elegant opulence. Loads of fruit and earth on the nose, along with dried flowers, cedar and tobacco, reminiscent of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and other wines of the southern Rhône. The multidimensional palate has more structure and grip than years past, as well as a bit of gravel dust on the finish. Fans of our Aida wines of yore will find them resurrected here. Ready to drink now at cellar temperature, about 55-65°F.
We are thrilled to re-release this special celebratory 20th vintage of our beloved Estate Zinfandel, aka the Turley “house” wine! So-called because our family home, as well as the winery’s headquarters, are all located on the same property, here in the heart of the Napa Valley. It’s been one of the longest-certified organic vineyards in Napa Valley, thus we all feel comfortable and grateful to be able to walk amongst the vines.
This is the site the family and winery team members stroll through daily: to stretch our legs and minds on a quiet walk alone, or take our morning constitutional with a cup of coffee and the winery dogs, Billie & Beau, in tow. It’s where all four of Larry’s daughters grew up, traipsing the vineyard rows on the hunt for hunks of shiny obsidian, shouting with glee when the occasional arrowhead was found. It’s for all these reasons and many more that no vineyard is (literally) closer to our daily thoughts and hearts. So, happy birthday Estate Zinfandel; long may ye reign!
Larry reveling in his beloved Estate Zinfandel vineyard, where the mustard is nearly as tall as he is!