2015 Jessie’s Grove Winery & Vineyards, Old Vine Zinfandel
The Winery and Background
Photo by Winemaker Tana Cole
Jessie’s Grove Winery and Vineyards is located at 1973 West Turner Road in Lodi, California. The unassuming single lane road leading to the vineyard and tasting room, indicates the demeanor of what you are about to experience—understated, homey and it brings one back to the “casual family element” of the winery. Jessie’s Grove is the site for the oldest producing Zinfandel vines in the Lodi Appellation. It is named for Jessie Spenker, daughter of Joseph and Anna Spenker, who founded the ranch and land in 1868. The property is 320 acres with 265 acres planted in vineyards. The Zinfandel vines were planted in 1888 and are still producing an incredible ancient Zinfandel wine. Here on the plot of land between highway 5 and highway 99 on West Turner Road is the home of a host of varietals- some unique, some traditional but all exceptional. As with most wineries, for myself, only a certain number of wines appeal to my tastes. However I was overcome with glee and excitement being wooed over to all the wines offered, including a few from the backroom.
Photo by Winemaker Tana Cole
Since I was last there a significant amount of renovation and remodeling has taken place like a new indoor and outdoor tasting room, picnic area, table and cabanas. Those pictures were courtesy of Tana Cole the winemaker at Jessie’s Grove Winery. I need to revisit soon to see all the new construction first hand.
The Wine “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The 2015 West Wind Old Vine Zinfandel was picked specifically for this evening. First on the eyes it possesses a deep purple/brick red hue with medium-heavy viscosity. On the nose and palate the wine has aromas of berries and chocolate covered cherries with a hint of black pepper. The finish is a contrast between sweet berry fruit and leather flavors. It was getting towards the end of its life at 8 years of age. So the remaining two bottles will consumed in short order. The current release is the 2018 and is listed on their website at $45/bottle.
The Food and Wine Pairing “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The reason it was picked for tonight’s dinner, was the “hot and spicy” meal prepared. It was chicken enchiladas prepared with slow cooked chicken, then laid out in the tortillas with a hot salsa, corn and slices of green onions and baked. It was served topped off with more salsa and slices of green onions. The sweetness on the finish of wine paired well with the spiciness of the enchiladas. It provided an intriguing “yin/yang” (Chinese philosophical concept that describes opposite but interconnected equal forces) for a fun dynamic for the meal.
Sláinte,
Michael