ChillaxZin

Ever go into the kitchen, open the fridge, and just start cooking? Sometimes harvest works the same way. The grapes arrive and end up dictating a slightly different plan than the one we started with.

This wine comes from the earliest pick off our estate vineyard, fruit that was primarily destined for rosé. With sugars coming in at just over 20° Brix (a measure of sugar in grape juice), we decided to peel off a couple bins and ferment them as a red just to see what would happen.

After fermenting in bins, we pressed the wine a little early to minimize harsh tannins and allowed fermentation to finish in tank. Following a brief settling period, the wine was aged for six months in a stainless variable-capacity tank and a fully neutral barrel.

The result is ChillaxZin—a fresh, vibrant, low-alcohol Zinfandel built to be served cold. The nose bursts with Bing cherry and bright red fruit. On the palate, crushed blackberry and fresh cherry lead into nuanced tannins, lively acidity, and a clean, refreshing finish that keeps you coming back for another sip.

Serve straight from the refridgerator and allow to warm slowly in the glass for your own Chillaxzin evening.