Howling Moon Old Vine Zinfandel

Howling Moon Old Vine Zinfandel is a full-bodied, 100% Zinfandel red wine from Lodi, California, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml format. Sourced from approximately 50-year-old vines and produced by fifth-generation winemakers at Scotto Cellars, this expression earned a Gold Medal at the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Jancis Robinson singled it out as a remarkable value, noting it is difficult to find another wine at this price point offering such antiquity of supply.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Lodi, California  |  Style: Old Vine Zinfandel  |  Producer: Scotto Cellars

Production & Heritage

Scotto Cellars is a fifth-generation family winery rooted in the Lodi appellation of California's Central Valley — one of the state's most important regions for heritage Zinfandel plantings. The fruit for Howling Moon comes from vines roughly 50 years old, which naturally yield smaller crops with concentrated flavor. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks to preserve primary fruit character, followed by 24 months of maturation in second- and third-year French oak barrels. This restrained oak regime results in what Jancis Robinson described as "a great textbook example of pure Zinfandel flavour" with minimal wood interference.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Purple plum and blueberry pie lead the nose, layered with hints of new leather and warm baking spice. There is a darker, brooding quality underneath — ripe blackberry and a faint earthy note from the old-vine fruit.

Taste: The entry is immediately juicy and lively, with intense sweet berry fruit flooding the mid-palate. Black cherry and stone fruit skin build toward a full-bodied peak, supported by soft, well-integrated tannins. Despite the strapping 14.5% alcohol, there is surprising freshness and balance throughout.

Finish: Medium-long, with a smooth, rounded texture and lingering notes of dark plum and subtle spice. The tannins fade gently, leaving a clean, fruit-driven impression rather than oak or heat.

How to Drink Howling Moon Zinfandel

This wine shows its best character at a slight chill — around 60–65°F — poured into a large-bowled glass that lets the concentrated aromatics open up. It drinks well on its own but also holds up in wine-based mixed drinks.

• Classic Red Sangria: The jammy dark fruit and spice notes form a natural backbone for citrus, brandy, and seasonal fruit.
• Kalimotxo: The wine's bold fruit intensity and soft tannins pair surprisingly well with cola in this Basque classic, keeping the drink from tasting thin.
• Mulled Wine: Warming spices amplify the existing cinnamon and baking spice already present in the glass.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners featuring grilled or barbecued red meat
• Introducing someone to old-vine Zinfandel without a steep price tag
• Fall and winter gatherings with hearty comfort food
• Building a value-focused California Zinfandel collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Howling Moon Zinfandel taste like? It is a juicy, full-bodied red dominated by ripe black cherry, purple plum, and blueberry, with soft tannins and a subtle spice finish. The overall impression is of concentrated, pure Zinfandel fruit with minimal oak influence.

How does Howling Moon Zinfandel compare to Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel? Both are Lodi-sourced, old-vine Zinfandels in the same value tier, but Howling Moon sees a longer 24-month French oak aging program compared to Bogle's mix of American and French oak. Howling Moon tends toward a more fruit-forward, less overtly oaky profile, while Bogle leans into darker, more tannic structure.

Is Howling Moon Zinfandel good for sipping neat? Yes — its concentrated fruit, balanced tannins, and restrained oak make it a satisfying pour on its own, particularly at a slight chill around 60–65°F.

Where is Howling Moon Zinfandel made? It is produced by Scotto Cellars in the Lodi appellation of California's Central Valley, a region long recognized for its deep-rooted, heritage Zinfandel vineyards.

What foods pair well with Howling Moon Zinfandel? Smoked brisket and pulled pork complement the wine's dark berry intensity. Pepperoni or sausage pizza mirrors its spice notes. Aged cheddar or Gouda offer a rich, savory counterpoint. Barbecue ribs glazed with a sweet-tangy sauce echo the wine's jammy fruit character.

What sizes does Howling Moon Zinfandel come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Howling Moon Zinfandel worth the price? It positions as an entry-level old-vine Zinfandel and consistently outperforms its price tier — Jancis Robinson specifically praised the difficulty of finding another wine at this cost with comparable vine age and quality, and it holds a Gold Medal from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Why Howling Moon Zinfandel?

The strongest case for this wine is the age of its source material: 50-year-old vines producing concentrated, characterful fruit at a fraction of what most old-vine bottlings command. Scotto Cellars' decision to ferment in stainless steel and age in neutral French oak preserves that raw Zinfandel intensity rather than burying it under wood. The result is a wine that earned a Gold Medal at the 2022 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and drew specific praise from one of the world's most respected wine critics. In a category crowded with over-oaked, overripe examples, Howling Moon stands out for its purity and balance.