Alex Krause and John Locke founded Birichino in Santa Cruz in 2008. Drawing on a combined four decades of making wine in California, France, Italy, and beyond, they are focused on attaining the perfect balance of perfumed elegance & poise. Sourcing from several carefully farmed, family-owned, own-rooted 19th and early 20th century vineyards (and a few from the late disco era) planted by and large in more moderate, marine-influenced climates, their preoccupation is to safeguard the quality and vibrance of their raw materials. 

This Zinfandel is sourced from a single vineyard planted in 1922 by a bootlegger whose name has been lost but whose tale lives on.  The vineyard today has expanded to include other plantings, and is named for St. George of dragon-slaying lore.  This wine is no fire-breathing monster, but rather a well-mannered old guard to stand against the scaly and larger-than-life Zins of California legend.  Fermented with native yeast, raised up in neutral oak, and left elegantly unfiltered; the lush dark fruit and subtle spice will beseech you to keep your flagon full. 

Pairing: Roasted game hen with wild rice, Duck burgers, Any winged beast

Grape: Zinfandel

Soil: Granitic and sandy loam soils just south of the Santa Cruz mountains

Viticulture: Sustainable