What Makes Old Vine Zinfandel Unique? (10 Fantastic Bottles)

Old Vine Zinfandel is any Zinfandel wine that is produced from vines that are at least 50 years old. 

It’s important to note that this age is an accepted standard and not an enforced one, so you may often find wines made from younger vines that use “Old Vine” for marketing purposes. 

True Old Vine Zinfandel is a structured red wine that has an intense boldness, depth, and flavor with firm tannins. 

Here, we’ll explore 10 of the best Old Vine Zinfandels you can experience today and what makes them stand out from the rest.

What Does Old Vine Zinfandel Mean? 

Old Vine is a description often used on bottles to describe a wine made from notably old grapes.

Often used for Zinfandel, this label isn’t regulated and could mean different ages for different wine estates. 

However, the accepted measurement of Old Vine is vines at least 50 years old. But it’s not uncommon to find an Old Vine Zinfandel made from vines over 100 years old! 

In the USA, the home of Old Vine Zinfandel, this inexpensive grape was grown by European immigrants during the 1850s California gold rush in the Lodi region - and, that’s where you’ll find most Old Vine Zins from. 

These old vines produce a limited quantity of fruit with concentrated flavor, intensity, and depth.

So what are some amazing wines you could try to get a taste of these ye olde fruits? 

Top 10 Old Vine Zinfandel Wines to Try!

We’ve listed some of our top Old Vine Zinfandel wines that you can try. 

• 1997 Turley Wine Cellars Old Vines Zinfandel, California, USA 
• 2016 Hartford Family Winery Hartford Highwire Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, USA 
• 2018 Andis Original Grandpere Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, Amador County, USA 
• 2018 Macauley Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, Napa Valley, USA 
• 2010 Ridge Vineyards Lytton Estate Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, USA 
• 2019 Sineann Winery Old Vine Zinfandel, Columbia Valley, USA  
• 2019 Renwood Premier Old Vine Zinfandel, Sierra Foothills, USA  
• 2017 Ironstone Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, USA 
• 2007 Bogle Vineyards Old Vines Zinfandel, California, USA 
• 2018 Gen 5 Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, USA

1. 1997 Turley Wine Cellars Old Vines Zinfandel, California, USA ($130) 

This 1997 dark ruby red wine is made using tiny parcels of Zinfandel that are 55-104 years old. It offers stunning aromas of raspberry, ripe plum, and cherry mixed with pepper, Asian spices, and Balsam wood. 

2. 2016 Hartford Family Winery Hartford Highwire Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, USA ($87) 

With a nose of black cherry, blueberry, and licorice with hints of lilacs, roses, and Indian spice, this full-bodied garnet-hue wine is beautifully structured with firm tannins and wonderful freshness. 

3. 2018 Andis Original Grandpere Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, Amador County, USA ($60) 

This 2018 Californian red wine comes from a historic vineyard planted in 1869 and is full-bodied, fresh, and vibrant. It showcases moderate tannins that perfectly frame the blackberry and raspberry notes to create an emblematic wine of the Sierra Foothills.  

4. 2018 Macauley Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, Napa Valley, USA ($54) 

The Napa Valley Old Vine Zinfandel wine made from 114-year-old vines greets you with a bouquet of black and red fruit. It follows up with tasting notes of chocolate-covered strawberries, dried rose, and clay to present a bottle that will excite any wine enthusiast! 

5. 2010 Ridge Vineyards Lytton Estate Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, USA ($50)

The Lytton vintage made from 100+-year-old vines offers you a deep ruby hue and features a blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. It opens with an intoxicating nose of dark berry, vanilla, and spice with a minerality that stays until the last drop. 

6. 2019 Sineann Winery Old Vine Zinfandel, Columbia Valley, USA ($39)

Fruit for this Zinfandel comes from just a few miles south of The Dalles, Oregon. Over a hundred years old, these vines produce a purple-red wine that’s jammy and ripe with notes of plum, black cherry, baking spices, and cinnamon. 

7. 2019 Renwood Premier Old Vine Zinfandel, Sierra Foothills, USA ($24)

Made from 50-103 year old grapes, this wine greets you with a nose of cedar and clove. The fruit palate of blackberry, cranberry, and dried herbs with the vanilla oak takes you on a journey.  

8. 2017 Ironstone Vineyards Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, USA ($24)

This Zinfandel is made from vines that are over 45 years old and opens with a bouquet of blackberry and other dark fruits. The palate is equally decadent with tasting notes of dark chocolate, blueberry, white pepper, and baking spice that lead to a silky smooth finish. 

9. 2007 Bogle Vineyards Old Vines Zinfandel, California, USA ($14) 

An affordable Zinfandel from California, this Bogle wine is full-bodied yet supple with aromas of raspberry jam and brambleberries. The palate is rich with hints of dark chocolate, tobacco, black pepper, and spicy cloves.

10. 2018 Gen 5 Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, USA ($11) 

With a dried herb and peppery aroma, this Old Vine Zinfandel offers you juicy and lush flavors of blackberry, blueberry, and rich chocolate to form a heady red wine that’s perfect for corporate gifts and casual drinking. 

There’s no doubt that Old Vine Zinfandel is a fantastic wine to have and consume. 

Let’s look at what makes it one-of-a-kind in the wine world. 

Why Are Old Vine Wines Unique? 

Old Vine Zinfandel is as much of a marketing tactic as it is a legitimate description of the wine itself. 

Let’s explore some of the wine’s key features: 

• Concentrated Flavor:  As time goes by and the vines get older, they produce less fruit. Many winemakers believe this makes the existing fruit even more concentrated, leading to more flavorful harvests and intense wines.

• Strong Roots: Older Zinfandel vines have long roots that allow them to pull water, nutrients, and other resources deep under the ground. This makes the vines resistant to droughts or floods. 

• Consistent Ripeness: Since these old vineyards aren’t necessarily dependent on surface water, they can consistently produce ripe fruit. These grapes also have a pleasant tannin profile, highly important for red wine. 

• Care for Themselves: A winemaker doesn't have to tend to their elderly vineyards as these vines are self-reliant. All the caretaker has to do is keep the vines healthy and be careful not to damage them. 

• Affordable Price: The term “Old Vine” comes from grape varietals that are more popular when harvested after some time. This means the younger the fruit, typically, the less desirable the wine. 

These interesting wines would be perfect if you want to grow your personal wine collection without breaking the bank! 

Enjoy Your Old Vine Zinfandel While You Invest!  

Old Vine Zinfandel showcases the best of the Zinfandel grape and is perfect for casual drinking. 

Want to build an enviable wine investment portfolio instead?

Invest in an opulent Cabernet Sauvignon or a lighter Pinot Noir. If you’re a fan of white wine, pick a refreshing Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc.

Wondering where you can invest in these delicious wines? 

Look no further than Vinovest, a world-class online wine investment company that lets you invest in wines from all over the globe, including those from the US, UK, South Australia, and New Zealand.