Lot #39 Martinelli Vineyards & Winery

This special anniversary auction lot has never before been offered by Martinelli Vineyards & Winery. This Zinfandel is made from 100% Jackass Hill clone, which is proprietary to the winery. This year marks 135 years of stewardship of this clone by the Martinelli family, as well as the anniversary of their first vine plantings in Sonoma County.

Giuseppe and Luisa Martinelli dug the first hole on what would later be called Jackass Hill in 1890 and placed a grapevine to start growing roots in anticipation of a long life. Now, five generations later, the family is still tending to those same vines and will do so for generations to come. For the first time in their history, there are currently three generations of the Martinelli family working for the winery.

The Zinfandel grapes are allowed to ripen to their full potential under the sun on their old, head pruned vines. Winemaker Courtney Robinett Wagoner ushers the juice through fermentation while coaxing the wine to show the uniqueness of the place it was grown. The Jackass Hill clone produces a hedonistic wine with elegant flavors of sun ripened raspberry, cinnamon, cherry and stone fruit.

WINEMAKER(S): Courtney Robinett Wagoner

ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: August 2025
ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: May 2026

National Distribution: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IL, KS, MD, MA, MI, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, Washington, DC

International Distribution: Includes Denmark, Norway; please inquire for additional countries.

A winemaker dinner or store visit is offered in your market as part of this lot. Must be scheduled on a mutually agreeable date.