OZV Old Vine Zinfandel

OZV Old Vine Zinfandel is a Lodi, California red wine made from 50- to 100-year-old Zinfandel vines, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2022 vintage earned 94 points from Wine Enthusiast, and a previous release received 95 points and a Gold medal at the California State Fair — serious recognition for a wine at this price tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Lodi, California  |  Old Vine Zinfandel Blend  |  Winery: Oak Ridge Winery

Production & Heritage

Oak Ridge Winery holds the distinction of being the oldest operating winery in Lodi, a region that has quietly become one of California's most important sources of old vine Zinfandel. The fruit for OZV is drawn from sustainably farmed, family-owned estate vineyards where vines range from 50 to 100 years old — mature root systems that naturally limit yields and concentrate flavor. The 2021 vintage blend is 84% Zinfandel, 7% Rubired, 6% Petite Sirah, and 3% Malbec, aged 11 months in a mix of 80% French oak and 20% American oak barrels. That barrel program adds structural complexity without overwhelming the fruit character that old vine Lodi Zinfandel is known for.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe blackberry and triple berry pie, followed by cinnamon graham cracker, vanilla, and a doughy, earthy quality that signals the wine's freshness and depth.

Taste: On entry, bright raspberry and sweet cherry flood the palate, giving way to darker notes of blackberry jam, bramble, and dark chocolate at mid-palate. The Petite Sirah and Rubired components add a plush, coating mouthfeel with mild tannins and a subtle gamey-meaty undertone that adds savory interest. Generous oak framing ties the layers together without dominating.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with lingering black pepper spice, dark cherry, and a subtle chocolate sweetness. Tannins remain soft and resolved, making the wine immediately approachable.

How to Drink OZV Zinfandel

This wine shows best at a slight chill — around 60–65°F — served in a large-bowled glass that lets those layered berry aromas open up. It drinks well on its own but also has enough body and spice to anchor bold cocktail-adjacent wine applications.

• Red Wine Sangria: The jammy berry profile and spice notes make it an ideal base, standing up to citrus and brandy without losing character.
• Kalimotxo: The plush sweetness and mild tannins pair naturally with cola in this classic Spanish red wine drink.
• Mulled Wine: The existing cinnamon, dark fruit, and pepper spice notes align perfectly with traditional mulling spices.

Best For

• Weeknight grilling — burgers, ribs, or tri-tip off the barbecue
• Introducing someone to old vine Zinfandel without a steep price commitment
• Stocking a house red that can handle both casual dinners and heartier holiday meals
• Gifting a red wine drinker who gravitates toward bold, fruit-forward California reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does OZV Zinfandel taste like? OZV Old Vine Zinfandel delivers ripe blackberry, sweet cherry, and raspberry jam flavors layered with dark chocolate, black pepper spice, and a savory meaty undertone. The mouthfeel is plush with mild tannins and generous oak framing.

How does OZV compare to Saldo Zinfandel? Both are bold, fruit-driven California Zinfandels, but OZV leans more heavily on old vine Lodi fruit with earthy, savory complexity, while Saldo from The Prisoner Wine Company tends toward a richer, more extracted style at a higher price point. OZV's 94-point Wine Enthusiast score on the 2022 vintage puts it in competitive territory with Saldo on quality.

Is OZV good for sipping neat? Yes — the mild tannins, plush mouthfeel, and layered fruit make it very approachable on its own, especially at a slight chill around 60–65°F.

Where is OZV made? OZV Old Vine Zinfandel is produced by Oak Ridge Winery, the oldest operating winery in Lodi, California, using fruit from sustainably farmed estate vineyards in the Lodi appellation.

What foods pair well with OZV Zinfandel? Smoked or grilled red meats like tri-tip and baby back ribs match its bold fruit and pepper spice. Pizza with sausage or pepperoni complements the jammy berry character. Hard aged cheeses like aged cheddar or Manchego echo the wine's earthy depth. Barbecue brisket with a sweet-smoky sauce mirrors the dark fruit and oak. Dark chocolate desserts align with the wine's chocolate finish.

What sizes does OZV Zinfandel come in? OZV Old Vine Zinfandel is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is OZV Zinfandel worth the price? OZV positions as a value-tier old vine Zinfandel that consistently punches above its weight in critical scoring — the 94-point Wine Enthusiast rating on the 2022 vintage is exceptional for this price category, making it one of the stronger values in California Zinfandel.

Why OZV Zinfandel?

The combination of genuinely old vines — 50 to 100 years in the ground — and Lodi's warm, even climate produces fruit with a concentration and complexity that younger plantings simply cannot replicate. Oak Ridge Winery's status as Lodi's oldest operating winery means institutional knowledge runs deep, and the 11-month French and American oak aging program is calibrated to enhance rather than mask the fruit. A 94-point Wine Enthusiast score on the 2022 vintage and a 95-point Gold at the California State Fair confirm that this is not just a well-marketed label — it is a genuinely competitive old vine Zinfandel that delivers serious quality at an accessible price point.