Bedrock “Katusha’s Vineyard” Zinfandel 2023

Bedrock “Katusha’s Vineyard” Zinfandel 2023
Bright, fragrant, and packed with old-vine character, this Zinfandel opens with red cherry, blackberry, plum, wildflowers, blood orange, licorice, and a little briar and spice. On the palate, it feels generous but focused, with vibrant fruit, lively acidity, grainy tannins, and a long finish that keeps the wine feeling energetic rather than heavy.

Key Details:

Producer: Bedrock Wine Co. — a Sonoma-based winery led by Morgan Twain-Peterson MW and Chris Cottrell, known for preserving and championing California’s historic old-vine vineyards. Their wines are rooted in vineyard heritage, regenerative farming, and a style that values freshness and site expression alongside depth.

Region / Appellation: Mokelumne River AVA, Lodi, California, USA. Katusha’s Vineyard sits on fine sandy Tokay loam, a classic Mokelumne River soil type that helps shape the wine’s perfume and lift.

Varietal: Almost entirely Zinfandel.

Vintage: 2023

Style / ABV: Dry red wine; 14.5% ABV. The vineyard was planted in 1915 on its own roots, and the wine is aged for about 10 months with a modest amount of new oak, giving it dimension while keeping the fruit and site at the center.

Why It’s Special: Katusha’s is one of Bedrock’s own estate vineyards, purchased in 2014, and it brings together everything that makes old-vine California Zinfandel so compelling: history, perfume, depth, and freshness. The own-rooted vines, century-plus vine age (1915 plantings!), and sandy soils make us pause and appreciate before we go back for another sip.

Food Pairing: Great with tri-tip, grilled sausages, barbecue chicken, wood-fired pizza, or a cheeseburger that deserves better than a basic red. Also very much at home at a backyard dinner where the grill is still going and nobody is ready to call it a night.