This historic vineyard was planted in the 1890s on the eastern benchland of Dry Creek Valley, and the Italian immigrant Terdeschi family has been caring for the old vines for four generations. Frank's Block was the favorite plot of the late Frank, the third generation owner, and is made of volcanic sedimentary soil mixed with pebbles and red soil known as Tuscan Red Hill soil, with moderate water retention and very low yields (1.5 tons/acre). This wine was released as a tribute to Frank, a longtime friend. Fermented in large open redwood barrels and aged in French barrels (35% new barrels). Mainly Zinfandel, but with complex, clean raspberry-like acidity. Production volume: Approximately 155 cases per year
Technical information
Production volume: 252 cases/year
Brewing: Fermentation in large open redwood barrels used in the 1980s (soft finish), natural yeast, all handmade, aged in French barrels (35% new barrels).
Comment from Joel Peterson
The 2018 vintage is rich and aromatic, with vibrant cherry, blackberry and juicy fruit flavours, and a wealth of depth and complexity.
The mouthfeel is smooth and leads to a pleasant aftertaste.
vinous 96P Jan.2020 by Antonio Galloni/Galloni gave the 2018 VTG Once & Future the highest score, commenting that it is an impressive wine, with brilliant aromas that jump out of the glass and countless flavor elements overflowing.
Field Information
Teldeschi Vineyards
This historic vineyard was planted in the 1890s on the eastern benchlands of Dry Cree Valley, known as the holy land of Zinfandel, and has been handed down for four generations by the Italian immigrant Terdeschi family, who have cherished the old vines to this day.
Over our 36 years of working with Ravenswood we have produced some of the finest single vineyard wines.
When we launched Once & Future, we were determined to create this field as a single vineyard, along with the Bedrock vineyard.
Frank's Block was the favorite plot of the late Frank, a third-generation vineyard owner, and is made of volcanic deposits of pebbles and red soil called Tuscan Red Hill soil, which has moderate water retention and is ideal for dry-farming Zinfandel.
The yield is very small (1.5 tons/acre) and the current owners are Frank's wife Caterina (who still works in the fields despite being over 80 years old) and his son John.
This wine was released as a tribute to John's father, Frank, his longtime friend.
His son Morgan Peterson's "Lorenzo" under the Bedrock label is made from the same vineyards (although the varietal composition is different).
Vintage: 2018
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Full-bodied
Main variety: Zinfandel 80%
Blend: 10% Carignan, 5% Alicante Bouches, 5% others
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Northern Sonoma
Nested AVAs: Dry Creek Valley
Vineyard: Teldeschi Vineyard
Note: Limited stock vinous 96P Jan.2020 by Antonio Galloni
Winemaker: Joel Peterson
Vinification: Fermented with wild yeast in open redwood barrels
Aging: French barrel aging (35% new barrels)
Rating: 90P or above
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 15.2%