Morisoli Vineyard Plinio's Block Zinfandel Rutherford 2023

In the vast tapestry of Napa Valley’s winemaking history, one vineyard stands out as a beacon of family tradition and enduring passion - Morisoli Vineyard. Nestled at the base of St. John Mountain in the Rutherford sub-AVA, Morisoli Vineyard is one of the longest continuously family-run vineyards in all of Napa, with roots tracing back to the year 1902 when Rocco and Lodovina Morisoli, the current proprietors’ great-great-grandparents, laid the foundation for generations to come. After selling some of the most coveted grapes in Rutherford for decades and making a touch of wine on the side for themselves, Chris Morisoli (5th generation) ignited the idea of sharing their wine beyond family gatherings.

Rocco and Lodovina settled in Rutherford in 1902 and worked as sharecroppers, farming the vineyards and eventually saving to purchase their farmhouse and land. Unexpectedly, Rocco divorced Lodovina and disappeared from Napa without a trace in 1910, leaving her to manage the farm and tend to the vineyards alone with their young son Plinio. However, Lodovina turned what at the time would have been a tragic turn of events in her favor and purchased the land for herself. Her single-handed tenacity saved the property and cemented the family’s farming tradition. Embracing the legacy of their ancestors, Chris and his parents, Gary & Melody, proudly manage and farm the 53 acres of contiguous vineyard. The vineyard boasts a rich diversity of plantings, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, complemented by field blends on the site of the original block planted by Lodovina. These sections include obscure varietals such as Alicante Bouschet, Carignan, Durif, Grand Noir de la Calamette, Muscat Hamburg, Negrette, Syrah, and Valdiguie, like those that were planted in 1902 but decimated by Phylloxera. It is one of only nine pre-prohibition vineyards left in Napa Valley today.

As if unexpected divorce and Phylloxera were not enough to battle, the United States enacted Prohibition in 1920, killing off many of the 100+ wineries operating in Napa Valley. With no winery buyers, Plinio and Lodovina nimbly pivoted to selling grapes to wineries like Christian Brothers, which used them for sacramental wine. Concurrently, Plinio and his wife opened a general store at the site of what is now the Rutherford Grill, providing groceries and equipment to the local community. Thanks to these two income sources, the family maintained the vineyards and survived through those thirteen “dry” years when so many wineries and vineyards closed. And while the Morisolis sold most of their crop for sacrament wine, a small amount found its way down to the farmhouse’s basement, where Plinio was known to craft his own “bootleg” wines. The vines for Plinio’s homemade wine are the same as those used for the 2023 Plinio’s Block Zinfandel.

The Morisolis look to winemaker Joel Aiken to coax the classic Rutherford characteristics from their impeccable grapes. Having worked as the third-ever winemaker for the famous Beaulieu Vineyard, Joel is well-versed in Rutherford dust and the rich, fruit-forward capacity of the terroir. While the wine is predominantly Zinfandel, a small amount of fruit from the esoteric field varietals is incorporated into the blend. The lots are fermented separately before a 15-month aging stint in 30% new French oak barrels from two different coopers. “The wine is flush with wild berries, exotic spice, and fresh violets. Beneath the fruit, subtle notes of iron, earth, and minerality emerge, complemented by supple tannin integration.” ~ Winery Tasting Notes