Appellation: Contra Costa
Wineries
Wines
Grapes
- Carignane
- Mataro/Mourvèdre
- Muscat Alexandria
- Petite Sirah
- Rose of Peru
- Zinfandel
From the Historical Vineyard Society
AVA: Contra Costa
Decade: 1890s
Current Owner: Mazzoni Vineyard
Location: 5181 Live Oak Avenue Oakley, California 94561
Soil: Delhi Sandy Loam
Wineries: Most likely Sebastiani Winery or the grapes were sold to home winemakers located anywhere in the USA and Canada.
Historical Producers:
Cline Cellars, Inc from 1984 to 1994
Trinitas Cellars, LLC from 2002 to 2006
Three Wine Company from 2007 to present
Characteristics: The wine is dark black and blue color to the edge, with raspberry, boysenberry, violets, supple tannins and perfect acidity. The wine shows staggering ancient (130-year-old) vine concentration with a briary density and silky, velour-like mouthfeel which is classic Mazzoni-Live Oak.
Description: Planted right around 1885 by an Italian immigrant family named Mazzoni.
Two second generation brothers, Spike and Guido Mazzoni, farmed the vineyard into the early 1980’s and ran a automobile repair shop on the property as well.
After being purchased by a company with plans to build a co-generation plant the new owners leased the property to local farmers.
The property was bought by Mazzoni Vineyards, LLC in May of 2015.
The old block (about 2.5 acres) is a classic field blend consisting mainly of Zinfandel but with rouge vines of Mataro and Carignane blended in. A few vines of Muscat Alexandria and one vine of Rose of Peru also are in the mix.
The balance of the vineyard (5.5 acres) was planted to Petite Sirah in 1998.Facts
The original vines (66.53%) were planted on their own roots and are still in production today.
The Delhi Sandy Loam is over 30′ deep over most of this property.