Escafeld Vineyards

This refreshingly light and somewhat rustic Zinfandel is bright, and a lightly saturated ruby fading to garnet. On the nose it has notes of stewed tomato, prune, fig, bacon, and cedar chest.

On the palate it is round and soft with stewed fruit, earth, cedar, char, and port-like notes. The finish is big and surprisingly chewy. This would be delicious with pork ribs braised with red vermouth, freshly cut rosemary, plums, and black peppercorns.

Steve and Elsbeth Wetherill own and operate this winery in Jolon, a sub-district of Monterey’s newest AVA, San Antonio Valley. Wine was made here as early as 1771, when the Mission San Antonio de Padua was established. Vineyards are planted in sandy clay loam foothills of the Santa Lucia range about 20 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, and they enjoy the cooling effects of morning coastal fog. Steve, who grew up in Sheffield, England, named the winery after the original name of his hometown, Escafeld, a combination of “esca” or border and “feld” or open space. The label depicts Elsbeth’s late grandmother, Mary-Ann Jones, whose husband entertained folks including the Beatles in his pub in Liverpool.

Reviewed August 10, 2007 by Catherine Fallis.

Other Awards & Accolades

Bronze Medal - Central Coast Wine Competition, 2007