Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Ancient Field Blend 2022

Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Ancient Field Blend 2022

Bucklin
$45.00

Grape: Zinfandel, Grenache, Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah
Vintage: 2022
Type: Red

Sourced from the historic Old Hill Ranch vineyard planted in 1885, this red wine represents an ancient field blend. The dry-farmed Sonoma Valley plot is dominated by zinfandel, co-fermented with grenache, alicante bouschet, petite sirah, and minor heirloom varieties. Winemaking utilizes spontaneous native yeast fermentations in open-top tanks to prioritize site transparency over modern wood styling. It ages for eighteen months in French oak barrels using twenty-five percent new wood.

It shows a deep ruby hue, opening with aromas of dark plum, blackberry, anise, and cocoa powder. The full-bodied palate is deep and structured, pairing concentrated black fruit flavors with a serious, velvety tannin framework. Savory notes of dried herbs and black pepper blend into the fruit core across the mid-palate. A clean, central thread of natural acidity cuts through the volume, maintaining excellent freshness. It concludes long and dry, leaving a persistent impression of dark fruit and spice.

Winery

Founded in 1851, Old Hill Ranch is one of the oldest and most historic vineyards in Sonoma. In 1981 it was purchased by Otto Teller, the stepfather of current winemaker Will Bucklin, and resurrected from a state of disrepair having become overrun with old cars, blackberry bushes and old bathroom fixtures. After several years of work the vineyard was back on track and in 1984 they began selling the grapes to Ravenswood for their acclaimed Old Hill Zinfandel. In 1998 the four Bucklin siblings decided to start their own winery so, after having interned at Lafite-Rothschild, worked at Hardy and Sons in Australia, Navarro winery in Mendocino, and being the winemaker at King Estate winery in Oregon, Will Bucklin returned to take over tending the vineyard and winemaking responsibilities at Old Hill Ranch.