2019 Pestoni Family 1892 Field Blend, Quackenbush Mountain, Lake County
Tasting Notes
This wine exhibits a medium body, enriched with aromas and flavors of raspberries, cherries, and a hint of spice. From the first sip, its silky and juicy nature is evident, culminating in a finish that features persistent red fruit flavors and delicately soft tannins. The Cabernet Sauvignon component contributes a notable richness to the overall palate, while the inclusion of Petite Sirah enhances this Zinfandel blend with its deep, plush density.
Vineyard Notes
The first wines that our family produced in the Napa Valley were known as field blends. Field blends were traditionally single-vineyard wines with multiple varieties of grapes grown, harvested, and fermented together. Our 1892 Field Blend pays homage to this early California winemaking tradition.
Our heritage vineyard in Lake County is planted in Petite Sirah and four of the oldest pre-prohibition clones of Zinfandel in California: Deaver, Dupratt, Nova and our familyās Domingos selection. Sited at an altitude of 2,100 ft., this vineyard is located on some of the youngest red volcanic soils in the continental United States. We harvest and co-ferment these unique clones of Zinfandel together. Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon are added for additional depth and complexity. 1892 Field Blend stands in testament to the best examples of red wine in this emerging appellation.
Vintage Notes
The 2019 growing season started with a wet spring and relatively cool early-season temperatures. However, by midseason, more normal temperatures prevailed, making for consistent ripening. The vineyard saw moderately warm, clear days with its typical elevation-induced nighttime cooling throughout the summer. The weather remained fairly moderate through the rest of the season, canopies were healthy, and the fruit ripened at a fairly predictable rate. Ultimately, the exceptional quality of the fruit, characterized by its vibrant acidity and rich texture, heralds the promise of an outstanding vintage.
Specs
Blend: 83% Zinfandel; 10% Cabernet Sauvignon; 7% Petite Sirah
Appellation: Lake County
Vineyard: Quackenbush Mountain
Barrel Aging: 6 Months 100% French Oak 35% New; 65% Two-year-old
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 416 Cases
Whatās Included
4-bottles:
4x 2019 Pestoni Family 1892 Field Blend, Quackenbush Mountain, Lake County
Case:
12x 2019 Pestoni Family 1892 Field Blend, Quackenbush Mountain, Lake County
Without compromise, our Pestoni Family Estate Winery is committed to upholding the high standards and practices of our great-grandfatherās winemaking tradition. From growing to harvest, fermentation to bottling, every step in our process is accomplished by hand to achieve the purest expression of place. For us, winemaking is not a business, it is our heritage. We are honored to produce premium Napa Valley wines that not only express the distinct personalities of each of our estate vineyards, but also preserve something of our family history.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
All of the following events did in fact happen, though perhaps a bit out of context.
Day 1
Our car sits at the shoulder of the road, its right back tire flat. We are miles^1^ from home. The spare wheel is out of reach.[^2] Weather reports are predicting a storm, and the temperature and sun are dropping quickly. Snowflakes start to stick to the pavement.
In the darkness, we at least have a beam of hope, in a bottle of
2019 Pestoni Family 1892 Field Blend Red Wine
delivered fortuitously from the powers of Casemates that be. With nothing to do but wait,[^3] our best hope of sustenanceāof survival, perhapsāwould be that and any scraps of food within our reach.
Pop-and-pour immediately transports us out of this wintry plight. The clear, deep red wine delivers notes of dried berries and dusty tobacco, projecting the warm, sunny fields of its Lake County origins. A blend primarily of Zin, it delivers prominent spicy pepper balanced against its fruits and subtle oak. The tannins are gentle and soft, in contrast to the biting cold wind outside.
A jar of leftover porc bourguignon is what we have to eat.[^4] The wine complements the meaty stew beautifully, the spice of the former making each meager bite of the latter all the more flavorful. We reserve half the bottle, hoping it will give us escape from our frozen world in the days to come.
Day 2
Piles of snow render the roads impassable.[^5] We find shelter in a nearby dwelling.[^6] After huddling ourselves back to warmth, we raid for resources, hoping that the owners will forgive. A can of tomato paste, some frozen ground game meat, ancient jars of spice, a mysterious pot of broth.[^7] Barely enough to make a venison bolognese and a Thai larb stir-fry.
The wine today has lost nothing, indeed seeming more peppery and a tinge more savory than before. Its longevity might exceed ours. We make both dishes spicy to at least simulate the heat we lack, which accents the natural flavors of the Zinfandel. Images come to mind of a rich hunting lodge in the mountains, where the fire roars and this Field Blend pours, a universe away from reality.
Day 3
One small piece of soft-ripened cheese is what remains,[^8] along with a few drops of the wine. We slice off small slivers and take tiny sips, hoping to make them last. Even this far into the storm, the wine remained as potent as ever. Like the little match girl striking her last, each mouthful brings forth worlds of rich red raspberries and vanilla cream.
A lone passer-by falls over, losing consciousness in the harsh environment.[^9] We rush to do what we can, but help is nowhere to be seen.[^10] If only he could be transported to safety, as the wine had transported our imaginations.
I know not if we will be survivors.[^11] But the Field Blend certainly is one, still delivering flavor and punch half a week from opening. At this price, Iād highly recommend stocking up. Who knows what will depend on it.
Many thanks to Alice, David, and all the WCC and Casemates folks for the opportunity! It really was a treat during the storm.
^1^ Two miles.
[^2]: The spare was, in fact, trapped by a strangely installed trailer hitch, so we just needed a set of tools to loosen the hitch and release the spare.
[^3]: For roadside assistance. I took the kids home by bus. The remaining events happened at home.
[^4]: To my surprise, it came out better than the boeuf version!
[^5]: It was indeed enough snow to shut down the schools, which meant that our kids had to stay home, and so did we.
[^6]: Weāre still at home.
[^7]: Yep, this is what our pantry typically looks like. I truly have no idea where the meat stock came from.
[^8]: I think it was a Berger de Rocastin, but am not sure.
[^9]: We were at a restaurant for Valentineās Day, and another patron did indeed have a fainting spell, probably from standing up too quickly, giving my wife her first ever chance to answer the call, āIs there a doctor in the house?ā
[^10]: An ambulance did come eventually, but it took a while.
@cduan Wow, great saga. Also extra credit for including footnotes;,the college profs always liked that (I do too).
I also had a bad event with right rear tire. Exploded, not just flat. I also could not access my spare (camper on truck blocked access; I didnāt know until then). Had trouble finding any road service. Got going eventually just as Sun was going down but they did mess up my truck and camper a bit.
I received an email that I was getting a lab rat in time for Valentineās Day.
Our bottle of Pestoni Family 2019 1892 Field Blend Red was delivered and we put it in the wine chiller to relax before dinner on Friday night. We paired our bottle with NY strips and Belgium truffles for dessert.
We opened the bottle and poured two glasses while we waited for the grill to come up to temperature. The hue was a beautiful dark red, the nose burst with red berries. We took our first sip and the Zinfandel was detected on the front of this sip. We decided to wait to truly taste this wine when the steaks were done. After about twenty minutes of sitting in the glasses this wine began to open up. It was a well-rounded with hints of berry and baking spices. It paired beautifully with the steak.
We poured a second glass to pair with the truffles, again the pairing was perfect. The more time this wine sat open the more it mellowed and opened up. It definitely got better the longer it was open, it would benefit from being decanted. We would recommend this wine to anyone who loves a bold red.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2019 Pestoni Family 1892 Field Blend - $45 = 21.42%
Hello everyone and happy Presidentās Day. My name is Jeremiah Moore, and I am the winemaker at Pestoni Family. I am glad to be here on this beautiful morning in the Napa Valley. Happy to answer any questions you may have about this spicy and juicy Zinfandel blend from our mountain vineyard in Lake County.
@PestoniFamWMKR Hi, welcome; sorry it seems so quiet. Normally weāre more active and a moderator should be able to get you the special Vintner heading but I donāt have that ability.
How would you say this compares to Pacific NW Zinfandel blends and also CA Central Valley? I tend to find the Central valley ones a bit too sweet/ājuicyā but itās a matter of preference. Field blends are always exciting too. Iāve found Lake County to be a favorite NorCal region (Also a great place to visit).
@PestoniFamWMKR Thanks a lot for jumping on. I know the group here very much appreciates winemaker involvement. I have to ask - for the second time on my life, Iāve lost my appetite for Zins. When I say Zins, Iām referring to the ripe fruit - later harvests. I love the grapes when they are picked almost early and the āriper softerā grapes are hand picked off and removed. This generation reminds me with the 90ās - which forced me to take a 10 year vacation from Zinfandel (half kidding). With all that rambling, and recognizing this is a blend. How would you say this wine would compare with, say an Amador county Zin?
@pmarin
Hi, Thank you for the welcome and the question. I would say this wine is very elegant for a zin blend. Its not jammy or overripe, but fresh. You get some bright red fruits and spice character, but the wine has great acidity and low alcohol, so its very balanced. Amador zins can get pretty high in alc and jam. Its a fun wine and its food friendly. Lake county is a great region for grape growing with its volcanic soil and elevation.
@Leatherchair
Hello there, I agree with you about late harvest zins. This is not one of those wines. Its balanced and refined, with some good typicity, but does not get carried away with alcohol or the jam. Itās a quality red wine that showcases the potential of Lake co.
@PestoniFamWMKR Thank you for your description of the wine. Prior to yesterday, I hadnāt tasted, of heard of your wines,but that will change as soon as they arrive. Thank you.
@rjquillin
Good morning, this wine is drinking nicely right now - it has aged gracefully and still has loads of fruit. It is from volcanic soils at elevation, so it should hold up for at least another 5-10 years. With that being said, it is a Zinfandel blend, so it doesnāt necessarily need much more aging.
@PestoniFamWMKR
My problem is more that of just not getting around to pulling a cork before the big slide.
Thanks for taking the time here to respond, it really does make a difference.
@Leatherchair
You are very welcome. We have lots of more wines to discover and many great things to come. If you are ever in the area, please stop by and say hello
@PestoniFamWMKR Thank you. I live in Sonoma County and wine is always on my wind. I checked out your site and will definitely swing by one of these days. Appreciated it again.
2019 Pestoni Family 1892 Field Blend, Quackenbush Mountain, Lake County
Tasting Notes
Vineyard Notes
Vintage Notes
Specs
Whatās Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$420.00/Case for 12x 2019 Pestoni Family 1892 Field Blend, Quackenbush Mountain, Lake County at Pestoni Family Estate Winery
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Mar 10 - Wednesday, Mar 12
2019 Pestoni Family 1892 Field Blend
4 bottles for $69.99 $17.50/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $164.99 $13.75/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
All of the following events did in fact happen, though perhaps a bit out of context.
Day 1
Our car sits at the shoulder of the road, its right back tire flat. We are miles^1^ from home. The spare wheel is out of reach.[^2] Weather reports are predicting a storm, and the temperature and sun are dropping quickly. Snowflakes start to stick to the pavement.
In the darkness, we at least have a beam of hope, in a bottle of
2019 Pestoni Family 1892 Field Blend Red Wine
delivered fortuitously from the powers of Casemates that be. With nothing to do but wait,[^3] our best hope of sustenanceāof survival, perhapsāwould be that and any scraps of food within our reach.
Pop-and-pour immediately transports us out of this wintry plight. The clear, deep red wine delivers notes of dried berries and dusty tobacco, projecting the warm, sunny fields of its Lake County origins. A blend primarily of Zin, it delivers prominent spicy pepper balanced against its fruits and subtle oak. The tannins are gentle and soft, in contrast to the biting cold wind outside.
A jar of leftover porc bourguignon is what we have to eat.[^4] The wine complements the meaty stew beautifully, the spice of the former making each meager bite of the latter all the more flavorful. We reserve half the bottle, hoping it will give us escape from our frozen world in the days to come.
Day 2
Piles of snow render the roads impassable.[^5] We find shelter in a nearby dwelling.[^6] After huddling ourselves back to warmth, we raid for resources, hoping that the owners will forgive. A can of tomato paste, some frozen ground game meat, ancient jars of spice, a mysterious pot of broth.[^7] Barely enough to make a venison bolognese and a Thai larb stir-fry.
The wine today has lost nothing, indeed seeming more peppery and a tinge more savory than before. Its longevity might exceed ours. We make both dishes spicy to at least simulate the heat we lack, which accents the natural flavors of the Zinfandel. Images come to mind of a rich hunting lodge in the mountains, where the fire roars and this Field Blend pours, a universe away from reality.
Day 3
One small piece of soft-ripened cheese is what remains,[^8] along with a few drops of the wine. We slice off small slivers and take tiny sips, hoping to make them last. Even this far into the storm, the wine remained as potent as ever. Like the little match girl striking her last, each mouthful brings forth worlds of rich red raspberries and vanilla cream.
A lone passer-by falls over, losing consciousness in the harsh environment.[^9] We rush to do what we can, but help is nowhere to be seen.[^10] If only he could be transported to safety, as the wine had transported our imaginations.
I know not if we will be survivors.[^11] But the Field Blend certainly is one, still delivering flavor and punch half a week from opening. At this price, Iād highly recommend stocking up. Who knows what will depend on it.
Many thanks to Alice, David, and all the WCC and Casemates folks for the opportunity! It really was a treat during the storm.
^1^ Two miles.
[^2]: The spare was, in fact, trapped by a strangely installed trailer hitch, so we just needed a set of tools to loosen the hitch and release the spare.
[^3]: For roadside assistance. I took the kids home by bus. The remaining events happened at home.
[^4]: To my surprise, it came out better than the boeuf version!
[^5]: It was indeed enough snow to shut down the schools, which meant that our kids had to stay home, and so did we.
[^6]: Weāre still at home.
[^7]: Yep, this is what our pantry typically looks like. I truly have no idea where the meat stock came from.
[^8]: I think it was a Berger de Rocastin, but am not sure.
[^9]: We were at a restaurant for Valentineās Day, and another patron did indeed have a fainting spell, probably from standing up too quickly, giving my wife her first ever chance to answer the call, āIs there a doctor in the house?ā
[^10]: An ambulance did come eventually, but it took a while.
[^11]: Weāre fine.
@cduan Wow, great saga. Also extra credit for including footnotes;,the college profs always liked that (I do too).
I also had a bad event with right rear tire. Exploded, not just flat. I also could not access my spare (camper on truck blocked access; I didnāt know until then). Had trouble finding any road service. Got going eventually just as Sun was going down but they did mess up my truck and camper a bit.
@pmarin wow you really know how to āshredā dude
I received an email that I was getting a lab rat in time for Valentineās Day.
Our bottle of Pestoni Family 2019 1892 Field Blend Red was delivered and we put it in the wine chiller to relax before dinner on Friday night. We paired our bottle with NY strips and Belgium truffles for dessert.
We opened the bottle and poured two glasses while we waited for the grill to come up to temperature. The hue was a beautiful dark red, the nose burst with red berries. We took our first sip and the Zinfandel was detected on the front of this sip. We decided to wait to truly taste this wine when the steaks were done. After about twenty minutes of sitting in the glasses this wine began to open up. It was a well-rounded with hints of berry and baking spices. It paired beautifully with the steak.
We poured a second glass to pair with the truffles, again the pairing was perfect. The more time this wine sat open the more it mellowed and opened up. It definitely got better the longer it was open, it would benefit from being decanted. We would recommend this wine to anyone who loves a bold red.
/giphy loopy-tangible-fruit
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2019 Pestoni Family 1892 Field Blend - $45 = 21.42%
Hello everyone and happy Presidentās Day. My name is Jeremiah Moore, and I am the winemaker at Pestoni Family. I am glad to be here on this beautiful morning in the Napa Valley. Happy to answer any questions you may have about this spicy and juicy Zinfandel blend from our mountain vineyard in Lake County.
@PestoniFamWMKR Hi, welcome; sorry it seems so quiet. Normally weāre more active and a moderator should be able to get you the special Vintner heading but I donāt have that ability.
How would you say this compares to Pacific NW Zinfandel blends and also CA Central Valley? I tend to find the Central valley ones a bit too sweet/ājuicyā but itās a matter of preference. Field blends are always exciting too. Iāve found Lake County to be a favorite NorCal region (Also a great place to visit).
@PestoniFamWMKR Thanks a lot for jumping on. I know the group here very much appreciates winemaker involvement. I have to ask - for the second time on my life, Iāve lost my appetite for Zins. When I say Zins, Iām referring to the ripe fruit - later harvests. I love the grapes when they are picked almost early and the āriper softerā grapes are hand picked off and removed. This generation reminds me with the 90ās - which forced me to take a 10 year vacation from Zinfandel (half kidding). With all that rambling, and recognizing this is a blend. How would you say this wine would compare with, say an Amador county Zin?
@pmarin
Hi, Thank you for the welcome and the question. I would say this wine is very elegant for a zin blend. Its not jammy or overripe, but fresh. You get some bright red fruits and spice character, but the wine has great acidity and low alcohol, so its very balanced. Amador zins can get pretty high in alc and jam. Its a fun wine and its food friendly. Lake county is a great region for grape growing with its volcanic soil and elevation.
@Leatherchair
Hello there, I agree with you about late harvest zins. This is not one of those wines. Its balanced and refined, with some good typicity, but does not get carried away with alcohol or the jam. Itās a quality red wine that showcases the potential of Lake co.
@PestoniFamWMKR Thank you for your description of the wine. Prior to yesterday, I hadnāt tasted, of heard of your wines,but that will change as soon as they arrive. Thank you.
@PestoniFamWMKR
Nice to see an offer with a few years on it. What do you see in the future for properly cellared bottles?
@rjquillin
Good morning, this wine is drinking nicely right now - it has aged gracefully and still has loads of fruit. It is from volcanic soils at elevation, so it should hold up for at least another 5-10 years. With that being said, it is a Zinfandel blend, so it doesnāt necessarily need much more aging.
@PestoniFamWMKR
My problem is more that of just not getting around to pulling a cork before the big slide.
Thanks for taking the time here to respond, it really does make a difference.
@Leatherchair
You are very welcome. We have lots of more wines to discover and many great things to come. If you are ever in the area, please stop by and say hello
@PestoniFamWMKR Thank you. I live in Sonoma County and wine is always on my wind. I checked out your site and will definitely swing by one of these days. Appreciated it again.
No Kansas
@dgbickle Are you close to Joplin, MO?