Black Sears

They say patience is a virtue… Actually, it also gets you killer Zinfandel.

A while back, we made a list of who we thought grew the finest mountain-grown Zinfandel in all of Napa Valley. At the top of it: Joyce Black and Jerre Sears. We rang them up to see if they had any grapes for sale. The answer was “Sorry we do not, but thanks for calling.” So we went straight to Plan B. We begged, we pleaded; we may have even nagged a little. (The answer was still ‘no.’)

Okay, so it took a year or two. But eventually we got to them and wore ‘em down. Jerre called and said a small block was available, and we started to chat. Now, we are excited to offer this incredible Howell Mountain Zinfandel with great complexity, intensity and a textured finish that’s even longer than the story behind it.

Nestled some 2,400 feet above sea level, the Black Sears Vineyard is one of the highest on all of Howell Mountain, sitting above the cool valley fog-line in a drier, sometimes warmer climate. Dry-farmed organically and biodynamically, this hillside vineyard is planted amongst oak trees, nut trees, lavender and wildflowers to encourage beneficial insects and a diverse polyculture. Many of the original plantings from 1975 still exist to this day. The ashy, iron-laden soil produce wines with big intense fruit, earthy spice and unrivaled flavor.

Town: Angwin

Region: Napa Valley

Appellation: Howell Mountain

Wines: Zinfandel