by Fred McMillin
for December 9, 1998

Pedroncelli Power

Prologue

1990—"John Pedroncelli is the winemaker, and he's a real pro."

...Jim Wood, S.F. Examiner

1990—We have established our single-vineyard program this year to showcase the vineyards that supply our top grapes. We expect the Pedroni-Bushnell Vineyard to produce some of our best Zinfandels.

...Winemaker John Pedroncelli

The Rest of the Story

Co-owners: John Pedroncelli (L) with brother Jim Pedroncelli (R).

John knew a lot about the vineyard that was being elevated to having its own Pedroncelli label. John Sr. had purchased the 20-acre, Dry Creek Valley property in 1945. A decade later it was sold to Al Pedroni, John Jr.'s brother-in-law. Al's daughter, Carol Bushnell, inherited the vineyard in l99O. Her husband, Jim Bushnell, is vineyard manager.

Is the vineyard living up to expectations? I quietly slipped the 1995 into a blind tasting without any comment. The panel was very enthusiastic. Checking back for six months, I found it was the highest scoring Zin we've had below $15... medium-bodied, loads of fruit.

The American oak was gentle. I'm not suprised because at a tasting I conducted with John he said he wanted his wine "to taste more of grapes than trees."

The Wine

1995 Zinfandel, Pedroni-Bushnell Vnyd., Dry Creek Vly.
J. Pedroncelli Winery, Sonoma County, CA.
Owners—Jim and John Pedroncelli
Food Affinities—Jim and John produced a newsletter 23 years ago that rings true today. They wisely advocate that in matching food with a wine, consider its STRENGTH, not its COLOR. Thus, a Zinfandel with finesse, though red, can pair nicely with some fowl...in my case, it was with smoked turkey on light rye.
Contact—Julie Pedroncelli St. John, (800) 836-3894
Price—$12 range

Postscript

Two French immigrants in 1872 planted the first Dry Creek vineyard that John Sr. bought in 1927. Prophetically, the Frenchmen had planted it with Zinfandel!

About the Writer Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He currently teaches wine courses at San Francisco State and San Francisco City College. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers.

 

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