2021 Zinfandel

There is very little Zinfandel planted in the Walla Walla Valley but there are two blocks at Les Collines Vineyard in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, just above the east edge of town. The Zinfandel is planted at lower elevations (around 1200 ft above sea level) and benefits from both the orientation to the afternoon sun and the slope which drains cool out in the early evening.

To make a wine this style, we hand-pick the fruit early in the harvest season to preserve ample acidity and to avoid high sugars. In the winery, we hand sort whole clusters to remove leaves and any clusters that are less than pristine. We do not destem this fruit but instead go straight into small fermentation vats with the full clusters intact. Immediately following this process, we clean off our bare feet and jump right in for an old-fashioned foot stomp. This is a family affair with Jen and our girls practicing their dance moves as they jump and stomp to break open the skins and get the grape juice flowing so fermentation can begin. Dad supervises. The wine was then aged in a mix of new (20%) and neutral (80%) oak barriques.

This resulting wine is an almost Pinot-like expression of Zinfandel. It's immediately lighter in color - a delicate garnet. There are layers of red and blue fruits on the nose with hints of black pepper, and the palate delivers on that promise with a light touch of vanilla and a long, satisfying finish. As the lightest red wine in the Armstrong Family portfolio, it pairs with a wide range of lighter proteins such as baked chicken, roast turkey, or seasoned crab cakes or vegetarian dishes such as eggplant parmesan or grilled mushrooms.