Oak Farm Tievoli Red Blend

Oak Farm Tievoli Red Blend is a Lodi, California red wine blending four grape varieties at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. Scoring 89 points from Wine Enthusiast on the 2020 vintage, Tievoli stands out as a thoughtfully constructed multi-varietal blend anchored by Zinfandel and accented with Italian grape varieties rarely seen together in Lodi bottlings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Lodi, California  |  Red Blend (79% Zinfandel, 10% Barbera, 7% Petite Sirah, 4% Sangiovese)  |  Producer: Oak Farm Vineyards

Production & Heritage

Oak Farm Vineyards is rooted in the Lodi appellation, one of California's most established Zinfandel-growing regions. The Tievoli blend brings together 79% Zinfandel, 10% Barbera, 7% Petite Sirah, and 4% Sangiovese — each variety hand-picked, destemmed into separate tanks, and inoculated individually for fermentation. This separate-fermentation approach allows each grape to develop its own character before the lots are combined post-fermentation and aged for approximately 18 months in 25% new French and American oak barrels. The result is a blend that preserves the individual identity of each variety while integrating them into a cohesive whole.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe red plum and cassis before moving into darker territory with blackberry and black cherry. Secondary layers reveal fresh floral notes, salted dark chocolate, and a subtle lift of orange zest.

Taste: On the palate, luscious dark fruit — blackberry, boysenberry, and plum — leads into a mid-palate rich with vanilla, cinnamon, and toasted wood. Vibrant acidity keeps the fruit from becoming heavy, while the Barbera and Sangiovese components contribute bright red-fruit tension and structural complexity that pure Zinfandel blends often lack.

Finish: The finish is velvety and persistent, carrying notes of nutmeg, bittersweet cocoa, and a whisper of anise. Tannins are firm but well-integrated, lending grip without harshness.

How to Drink Tievoli Red Blend

Tievoli drinks well at a slight chill — around 60–65°F — allowing the dark fruit to stay focused without letting the 14.5% alcohol dominate. Decanting for 20–30 minutes softens the tannins and opens the aromatic complexity. For cocktail-curious wine drinkers, consider a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice), where Tievoli's bold fruit holds up to the sweetness; a New York Sour, substituting this blend for the traditional red wine float to add Zinfandel-driven berry depth; or a classic Sangria, where the vanilla and spice notes from oak aging create a natural backbone for citrus and brandy.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners featuring grilled meats or hearty pasta
• Introducing Zinfandel lovers to Italian-influenced blending
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing red to a backyard barbecue
• Gifting a wine drinker who appreciates Lodi's terroir

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Tievoli Red Blend taste like? It leads with ripe blackberry, plum, and boysenberry, supported by vanilla, cinnamon, and toasted oak from 18 months of barrel aging. Vibrant acidity and a velvety cocoa-tinged finish keep the fruit grounded and structured.

How does Tievoli compare to Michael David 7 Deadly Zins? Both are Lodi Zinfandel-based reds, but Tievoli incorporates Barbera and Sangiovese — Italian varieties that add brighter acidity and red-fruit complexity absent from 7 Deadly Zins' Zinfandel-dominant profile. Tievoli's separate fermentation of each variety also gives the winemaker more precise blending control.

Is Tievoli Red Blend good for sipping neat? Yes — with its balanced acidity, layered dark fruit, and integrated oak tannins, Tievoli is well-suited for drinking on its own, ideally after a brief decant to let the aromatics fully open.

Where is Tievoli Red Blend made? Tievoli is produced by Oak Farm Vineyards in the Lodi AVA of California's Central Valley, a warm-climate region known for producing rich, fruit-forward Zinfandel and old-vine plantings.

What foods pair well with Tievoli Red Blend? Grilled tri-tip steak complements the smoky oak and dark fruit. Barbecue-sauced ribs match the wine's vanilla and spice notes. Italian sausage pizza echoes the Barbera and Sangiovese components. Aged cheddar or Gouda highlights the cocoa and nutmeg undertones. Braised lamb shanks mirror the wine's firm tannin structure and berry depth.

What sizes does Tievoli Red Blend come in? Oak Farm Tievoli Red Blend is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Tievoli Red Blend worth the price? Tievoli positions as a mid-range Lodi red blend, and its 89-point Wine Enthusiast score, four-varietal complexity, and 18 months of oak aging deliver strong value relative to single-varietal Lodi Zinfandels at the same tier.

Why Tievoli Red Blend?

What separates Tievoli from the crowded field of Lodi reds is its unusual mashup of Zinfandel with three complementary varieties — Barbera, Petite Sirah, and Sangiovese — each fermented independently before blending. This winemaking choice gives the final wine a structural dimension that straight Zinfandel or simple Zin-Petite Sirah blends rarely achieve. The 18 months in a mix of new French and American oak adds measured complexity without overwhelming the fruit. With an 89-point nod from Wine Enthusiast, Tievoli demonstrates that Lodi can produce blends with the ambition and nuance more commonly associated with higher-priced appellations.