2022 Sandlands, Zinfandel, Lodi

Winemaker Tegan Passalacqua anchors Sandlands in the stewardship of heritage California vineyards, utilizing organic dry-farming and own-rooted vine cultivation alongside a minimalist cellar protocol of native yeast fermentation and neutral French oak aging. This Zinfandel is sourced from the 1915-planted Kirschenmann Vineyard in the Mokelumne River AVA, where deep, silica-rich white sandy soils dictate the wine's high-toned aromatics and structural clarity. The 2022 vintage presents a more pliant and generous mid-palate density than typical years, reflecting a warm growing season that resulted in increased textural resonance and richness. Structural integrity is preserved through the precise picking of these centenarian vines, which secures a persistent acid backbone and manages phenolic extract to maintain linear energy. The resulting wine is defined by a detailed, weightless frame, supported by long, fine-grained tannins and a savory, mineral-driven finish that reflects its unique sandy-soil provenance.