Florence Vineyard, Rockpile

The rocky red soils of Florence Vineyard were planted in 1997 by the Jacks Florence (father and son). Located in the relatively new Rockpile appellation, this Zinfandel vineyard is at 1200-feet elevation with stunning views of Lake Sonoma and Dry Creek Valley. The steep hillsides and shallow soils make for great drainage for the vines, which in turn offer fruit of great structure and intensity. In addition, sun exposure is vastly different at this elevation—the fog burns off at least two hours earlier on Rockpile than down in Dry Creek Valley. This allows for more sun exposure, and the fruit to more evenly ripen. The combination of iron-rich red soils and rocky hillside drainage is textbook perfect, and the two Jacks, Senior and Junior, meticulously care for the mountainous vineyard.