Andis Original Grandpere Zinfandel 2020

Andis Original Grandpere Zinfandel 2020 is a 750ml, full-bodied old-vine Zinfandel from Amador County's Sierra Foothills, produced from ungrafted vines planted in 1869. Sourced from the Original Grandpère Vineyard — widely recognized as the oldest documented Zinfandel vineyard in America — this bottling earned 88 points from Wine Enthusiast for its vibrant balance of fruit, spice, and structure.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~15.5%  |  Origin: Shenandoah Valley, Amador County, Sierra Foothills AVA  |  100% Old Vine Zinfandel  |  Winery: Andis Wines, Plymouth, CA

Production & Heritage

Andis Wines operates out of Plymouth, California, in the heart of Amador County's Shenandoah Valley. The Original Grandpère Vineyard, planted in 1869, contains truly pre-phylloxera, own-rooted Zinfandel vines — a living piece of California viticultural history that survived the root louse epidemic precisely because the vines were never grafted onto American rootstock. Andis is one of only four wineries granted access to fruit from this storied site, and the 2020 vintage was produced in collaboration with renowned winemaker Philippe Melka, whose involvement speaks to the seriousness of the project.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh red cherry and cranberry lead into more complex layers of cinnamon, cardamom, and black tea. A background thread of dried black cherry and fruit leather gives the nose both brightness and depth.

Taste: The entry is rich and ripe, with exuberant raspberry and blackberry fruit at its core. Mid-palate, chocolate and nutmeg emerge alongside moderate tannins that frame the fruit without overwhelming it. Good acidity keeps everything fresh and lifted, giving the wine a vibrancy that belies its full-bodied weight.

Finish: The finish is medium-long, with lingering cinnamon spice, dried cherry, and a subtle tannic grip. A final note of dark chocolate and warm baking spice lingers as the fruit slowly fades.

How to Drink Original Grandpere Zinfandel

This wine is best enjoyed at cellar temperature, around 60–65°F, in a large-bowled glass that allows the complex aromatics to fully open. Decanting for 30 minutes rewards with even greater integration of fruit and spice. For food-focused pairings, it shines alongside grilled or braised meats: try it with slow-smoked tri-tip where the wine's berry fruit and tannin match the char and fat; with lamb merguez sausage where its spice notes echo the harissa and cumin; or alongside a rich mushroom and pancetta pizza where the acidity cuts through the richness.

Best For

• Gifting a California wine enthusiast who values vineyard provenance and history
• A special dinner featuring grilled red meats or hearty Italian cuisine
• Adding a historically significant bottling to a Zinfandel-focused cellar
• Sharing with fellow collectors who appreciate rare, old-vine expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Original Grandpere Zinfandel taste like? The 2020 vintage delivers ripe raspberry and blackberry fruit layered with cinnamon, chocolate, nutmeg, and black tea, all balanced by moderate tannins and fresh acidity. It is a full-bodied yet vibrant Zinfandel with notable complexity from its 150-plus-year-old vines.

How does Original Grandpere compare to Andis Shake Ridge Ranch Reserve Zinfandel? Both are 2020-vintage Amador County Zinfandels from Andis, but the Shake Ridge Ranch Reserve scored higher at 93 points from Wine Enthusiast and tends toward a more structured, site-specific mountain expression. The Original Grandpere trades some of that intensity for historical pedigree and the distinctive character that only pre-phylloxera, own-rooted vines can provide.

Is Original Grandpere Zinfandel good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its balance of ripe fruit, moderate tannins, and aromatic complexity make it well-suited for thoughtful, unaccompanied sipping, especially after a brief decant to let the layers unfold.

Where is Original Grandpere Zinfandel made? It is produced by Andis Wines in Plymouth, California, within the Shenandoah Valley sub-region of Amador County's Sierra Foothills AVA. The fruit comes from the Original Grandpère Vineyard, whose 1869-planted, ungrafted vines make it the oldest documented Zinfandel vineyard in the United States.

What foods pair well with Original Grandpere Zinfandel? Slow-smoked barbecue ribs complement the wine's berry richness and spice. Braised lamb shanks echo its warm cardamom and cinnamon notes. Aged cheddar or Gouda stand up to the full body and tannin. Grilled portobello mushrooms bring out earthy undertones, and dark chocolate desserts mirror the wine's cocoa finish.

What sizes does Original Grandpere Zinfandel come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Original Grandpere Zinfandel worth the price? This bottling positions in the premium tier for California Zinfandel, justified by the extraordinary provenance of America's oldest documented Zinfandel vineyard, the involvement of Philippe Melka, and the extreme scarcity of fruit — only four wineries receive allocations from these vines.

Why Original Grandpere Zinfandel?

Very few wines in California can claim a direct, unbroken connection to 1869. The Original Grandpère Vineyard's ungrafted, pre-phylloxera vines produce fruit with a character that simply cannot be replicated by younger plantings, and the 2020 vintage captures that distinctiveness in a balanced, expressive package. Philippe Melka's guiding hand in the cellar adds another layer of credibility, ensuring the winemaking matches the quality of the source material. For anyone serious about Zinfandel, this is a rare chance to taste living history in a glass.