Giuseppe & Luisa

Giuseppe and Luisa Martinelli planted three acres of Zinfandel in the Russian River Valley in the 1880s.The old vineyard is now known as Jackass Hill and remains the steepest non-terraced hillside vineyard in Sonoma County. Nearly one century later Giuseppe and Luisa’s grandson, Lee Martinelli Sr., followed in their footsteps by planting a Zinfandel vineyard. He grafted bud wood from the centurion vines onto low-vigor rootstocks and planted them one meter by two meters apart, equating to about 2,000 vines per acre, on a rocky knoll above the Martinelli Winery Tasting Room in Russian River Valley.

When we look back at the 2023 growing season there are two words that perfectly describe the vintage – late and big. After an exceptionally wet and cool winter, bud break happened over a month later than average. Our first day of picking was the day after the harvest completed the previous year. Fruit set was excellent and the temps during the summer were moderate to cool, with very few days in the triple digits. What a contrast from 2022! Mild temperatures along with abundantly available water allowed the clusters to develop slowly and evenly.

The wine opens with inviting aromas of ripe black cherry and Santa Rosa plum, intertwined with subtle, warming spices that evoke a sense of comfort. A lively, bright entry flows seamlessly into a well-balanced mid-palate, where vibrant cherry tart and succulent plum notes take center stage. The wine’s harmonious structure persists across the entire palate, culminating in a mouthwatering finish accented by delicate hints of lingering milk chocolate shavings.

Jackass Vineyard

This eight-acre vineyard was planted in the early 1800s, which makes it our oldest vineyard, and is located just south of our famed Jackass Hill Vineyard.  These old, head-pruned vines are farmed much the same way as they were a century ago; without the use of trellising, irrigation or pesticides. Common to this area, it has both Goldridge and Franciscan soil types.

When we look back at the 2023 growing season there are two words that perfectly describe the vintage – late and big. After an exceptionally wet and cool winter, bud break happened over a month later than average. Our first day of picking was the day after the harvest completed the previous year. Fruit set was excellent and the temps during the summer were moderate to cool, with very few days in the triple digits. What a contrast from 2022! Mild temperatures along with abundantly available water allowed the clusters to develop slowly and evenly.

Complex aromas of blackberry, black tea, and fresh herbs greet the nose. The palate is vivid, with red plum and raspberry tart, followed by a structured mid-palate that leads to a dark chocolate and tea finish.

Jackass Hill

This rugged vineyard is referred to by the Martinelli family as “Jackass Hill”, because only a jackass would farm a hill that steep. Jackass Hill is the steepest non-terraced hillside vineyard in Sonoma County, boasting slopes of 65 degrees. Lee Sr. is the third generation Martinelli farmer to care-take the original family homestead land; farming the ancient vineyard much as his grandfather Giuseppe had in the 1880s, without irrigation, pesticides or trellising.

The 2022 season started out with ideal conditions with early rains helping to push bud break into Spring. While we encountered instances of shatter (a grape berry fails to develop because of incomplete pollination) due to frost, this was limited to specific vineyards. Meticulous attention was given to addressing this issue, as we diligently assessed each block and thinned any clusters affected by shatter. Thankfully, the summer months offered the optimal combination of warm days and perfectly cool nights. However, Labor Day weekend launched what has been marked as one of the most heat-intensive 7-day periods on record for Sonoma County, resulting in a significant number of vineyards reaching their ripening stage simultaneously.

Stunning aromas of fresh raspberries, stone fruit, and sweet barrel spice on the nose. Mouthcoating up on entry with a constantly evolving palate filled with the flavors of hibiscus tea, nectarine, and raspberry. A hint of white pepper enhances gorgeous finish

Vellutini Ranch

The Vellutini Ranch is bordered on the east by Jackass Hill and on the south by Jackass Vineyard, and was planted with bud wood from both of these vineyards.  This seven acre vineyard was planted in 1999, and is planted to both Zinfandel and Syrah grapes.

The 2022 season started out with ideal conditions with early rains helping to push bud break into Spring. While we encountered instances of shatter (a grape berry fails to develop because of incomplete pollination) due to frost, this was limited to specific vineyards. Meticulous attention was given to addressing this issue, as we diligently assessed each block and thinned any clusters affected by shatter. Thankfully, the summer months offered the optimal combination of warm days and perfectly cool nights. However, Labor Day weekend launched what has been marked as one of the most heat-intensive 7-day periods on record for Sonoma County, resulting in a significant number of vineyards reaching their ripening stage simultaneously.

Rich aromas of black cherry, sweet leather, and boysenberry pie are present in the nose. A well-composed entry with flavors of raspberry compote and integrated baking spices are present throughout the palate. Dark flesh plum flavor enhances the graceful, long finish.

Multiple Vineyards

Vigneto Di Evo Zinfandel is a barrel-blend from select Martinelli single vineyard zinfandel sites: Jackass, Vellutini, Lolita and Giuseppe & Luisa. This bottling is named for Evo Martinelli, who was raised on Martinelli Road. He was Lee Sr.’s first cousin, the son of Fred Martinelli. Evo gave Lee Sr. one of his first jobs out of the vineyard and instilled the importance of going to college in him as a young man.

When we look back at the 2023 growing season there are two words that perfectly describe the vintage – late and big. After an exceptionally wet and cool winter, bud break happened over a month later than average. Our first day of picking was the day after the harvest completed the previous year. Fruit set was excellent and the temps during the summer were moderate to cool, with very few days in the triple digits. What a contrast from 2022! Mild temperatures along with abundantly available water allowed the clusters to develop slowly and evenly.

The nose is vibrant, with sweet notes of raspberry, dark cherry, and molasses. On the palate, it’s immediately mouthwatering, revealing flavors of red currant and pomegranate. Balanced tannins support lively acidity, complemented by subtle rhubarb undertones. The wine culminates in a smooth, lingering finish of vanilla cream.

Lolita Ranch

The Lolita Ranch is located on Martinelli Road in Forestville. The property was part of the original Martinelli Homestead Ranch, belonging to Giuseppe and Luisa Martinelli who purchased the steep, forested land in the late 1800’s. Later, their eldest son Fred sold the parcel to his neighbor, Lolita Young’s mother. Eventually Bob and Lolita Young inherited it, and ran a herd of cattle on the land for many years. Lee Martinelli Jr. and his wife Pamela acquired the property in 1999 from Bob Young after Lolita’s passing, returning it back to the Martinelli estate and to the family’s continuing century-long legacy of viticulture. Lee Jr. at that time decided to name the ranch after Lolita. Lee Jr. planted the steep hillside in 2001 with four different grape varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Zinfandel.

The 2022 season started out with ideal conditions with early rains helping to push bud break into Spring. While we encountered instances of shatter (a grape berry fails to develop because of incomplete pollination) due to frost, this was limited to specific vineyards. Meticulous attention was given to addressing this issue, as we diligently assessed each block and thinned any clusters affected by shatter. Thankfully, the summer months offered the optimal combination of warm days and perfectly cool nights. However, Labor Day weekend launched what has been marked as one of the most heat-intensive 7-day periods on record for Sonoma County, resulting in a significant number of vineyards reaching their ripening stage simultaneously.

Inviting aromas of strawberry, fresh raspberries, and star anise are found in the nose. A very bright entry with flavors of ripe cherry and black berry compote. Nice weight with present acid in the mid palate. Black tea flavors are found in the sustained finish.