Renwood Old Vine Zinfandel

Renwood Old Vine Zinfandel is a full-bodied California red wine from Amador County's Sierra Foothills, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2018 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, and earlier vintages have collected Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and Critics Gold at the Critics Challenge Wine Competition — a consistent track record for one of Amador County's benchmark Zinfandels.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Amador County, Sierra Foothills, California  |  100% Zinfandel  |  Winery: Renwood Winery, Plymouth, CA

Production & Heritage

Renwood Winery, located in Plymouth in Amador County, has long been associated with old-vine Zinfandel from the Sierra Foothills. Fruit is sourced primarily from the estate ranch in Plymouth, where distinct blocks contribute different characteristics: Block 1 provides brisk acidity and bright red fruits, while Blocks 2 and 3 bring black fruit, lush textures, and deeper color. A small quantity of purchased old-vine Zinfandel from nearby sites rounds out the blend. Under winemaker Joe Shebl, working alongside international consultant Alberto Antonini, the wine follows a minimalist winemaking philosophy. Aging incorporates 15% new French oak, which adds aromatic complexity and a refined textural layer without overwhelming the fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with powerful berry and cherry aromas, followed by nuances of fresh blackberry and cranberry. Subtle layers of clove, cedar, and savory dried herbs develop as the wine breathes.

Taste: The palate delivers rich, high-octane fruit — ripe blackberry, raspberry, and plum — framed by toasted oak and white pepper. Medium to full in body, it carries the structure and balance more commonly associated with fine Cabernet, with a nice interplay of tannins, acidity, and fruit. Notes of coffee and bitter chocolate emerge at mid-palate, adding dimension.

Finish: The finish is grippy and persistent, carried by fine tannins and lingering impressions of brambly wild berries and cedar. A thread of baking spice and dark chocolate closes the experience with warmth.

How to Drink Renwood Old Vine Zin

This Zinfandel shows its best character at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, in a large-bowled glass that lets the aromatics open fully. It drinks well on its own but also has enough backbone for food pairing and cocktail-adjacent wine applications. Try it alongside a classic Sangria, where the bold fruit and spice amplify citrus and stone fruit additions. It also works in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) for a low-effort summer drink that benefits from the wine's jammy intensity. For a warming winter option, use it as the base for a Mulled Wine — the existing clove and cedar notes harmonize naturally with traditional mulling spices.

Best For

• Pairing with a backyard barbecue featuring smoked ribs or tri-tip
• Gifting to a red wine drinker who gravitates toward bold, fruit-forward California reds
• Building an Amador County or Sierra Foothills tasting flight
• Weeknight steak dinners where a reliable, full-bodied red is needed

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Renwood Old Vine Zin taste like? It is a bold, fruit-driven Zinfandel dominated by ripe blackberry, cherry, and raspberry with supporting notes of clove, cedar, white pepper, and bitter chocolate. The body is full and the tannins are fine but grippy, giving it structure beyond a typical fruit-bomb Zin.

How does Renwood Old Vine Zin compare to Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel? Both regions produce rich, ripe Zinfandels with jammy berry character and oak complexity, but Amador County's warmer Sierra Foothills climate tends to yield bolder, higher-octane fruit with more pronounced spice. Dry Creek Valley Zinfandels, grown in Sonoma County's cooler conditions, often lean slightly more toward red fruit brightness and herbal undertones.

Is Renwood Old Vine Zin good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balance of ripe fruit, fine tannins, and measured acidity makes it a satisfying standalone pour, especially when served slightly below room temperature to keep the 14.5% ABV in check.

Where is Renwood Old Vine Zin made? It is produced at Renwood Winery in Plymouth, California, situated in Amador County within the Sierra Foothills AVA. The fruit comes primarily from the winery's own estate vineyard blocks, supplemented by nearby old-vine sites in the region.

What foods pair well with Renwood Old Vine Zin? Smoked brisket or pulled pork pairs naturally with the wine's jammy intensity. Aged cheddar or Manchego complements its spice and tannin structure. Lamb burgers with rosemary echo the herbal undertones. Pizza with Italian sausage and roasted peppers is a classic Zinfandel match. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the wine's cocoa and bitter chocolate finish.

What sizes does Renwood Old Vine Zin come in? The standard bottling is available in a 750ml format.

Is Renwood Old Vine Zin worth the price? Renwood Old Vine Zinfandel positions as a mid-range California Zinfandel, and its 90-point Wine Enthusiast score alongside multiple competition golds suggest it consistently punches above its price tier for old-vine fruit from a respected Sierra Foothills estate.

Why Renwood Old Vine Zin?

What distinguishes this wine is the multi-block estate sourcing in Amador County, where old Zinfandel vines produce concentrated, complex fruit that younger plantings simply cannot replicate. The collaboration between winemaker Joe Shebl and international consultant Alberto Antonini brings a minimalist yet deliberate approach — 15% new French oak supports rather than masks the varietal character. A 90-point Wine Enthusiast rating on the 2018 vintage and a history of Gold medals at major competitions confirm that this is not just a reliable weeknight Zinfandel but a serious expression of one of California's most storied Zin-producing regions. For drinkers who want authentic old-vine intensity without inflated pricing, Renwood delivers year after year.