Purchasing the property in 1969 from the Morelli family, Robert Von Weidlich became what was only the second owner of the land. The Zinfandel portion of the vineyard had been planted in 1937, grafted from vines originally brought by Italian immigrants in 1884.
Robert planted additional vines in 1969, selecting budwood from the 1937 planting. He refers to these as “German-pruned,” meaning the vines are head-trained but with a goblet of canes about four feet above the soil. Both the older planting and the German pruned vines are dry-farmed, with all weed removal and pruning done by hand. Von Weidlich Vineyard is located about half a mile from Ottimino and Rancho Bello Vineyards, and as such benefits from both the banana belt climate and Goldridge sandy loam soil.
Vintage: 2004
Vineyard Designation: Von Weidlich
Blend: 100% Zinfandel
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Aging: Eighteen months in French oak
pH: 3.52
Cooperage: Francois/D&J/Doreau/Roberts
Barrel Age: 35% new/65% 1- & 2-year-old
Cases Produced: 601
Alcohol: 14.3%