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Grapes: Zinfandel, Petit Syrah & Carignan
Alcohol: 14.8% abv
Type: Dry Red
Vintage: 2020
Format: 75cl
Designation: Mendocino County
Region: California
Country: United States
Artezin is a wine brand owned and produced by Hess Persson Estates, a family-owned winery based on Mount Veeder in Napa Valley. While the Hess estate focuses primarily on mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, the Artezin label was created to highlight the character of Zinfandel from Mendocino County. Established in 2002, Artezin sources its grapes mainly from family-owned vineyards in Mendocino, a region historically known for its old vine Zinfandel plantings and sustainable farming practices. Through this brand, Hess Persson Estates combines its winemaking expertise with fruit from Mendocino’s diverse terroir to produce wines that reflect the heritage and distinctive qualities of the region.
This wine is generally characterized by notes of black cherry, blackberry, plum, pepper, and hints of cocoa and toast. Full-bodied with soft, moderate tannins, aiming for a “polished” and approachable style rather than extremely aggressive tannins. As soon as you pour yourself a glass of this rich Zinfandel you’ll notice the striking intense garnet hue and enticing aromas of blackberries, raspberries, cassis, and black pepper. The first sip reveals ripe red fruit flavours and hints of dried herbs and sweet spices which complement the fine tannins and well-rounded, smooth mouthfeel. This is made from vineyards that focus on sustainability, sourcing from older, family-owned vineyards. Aged in a combination of French and American oak.
Artezin first burst onto the Californian wine scene in 2002 with the ambition of preserving the state’s tradition of making deliciously bold red wines from old Zinfandel vines. Today the winery works with family-owned grape growers in Mendocino and Sonoma counties who have been working with this noble grape ever since their Italian ancestors arrived on these shores generations ago.
Working with these small, family-run enterprises gives Artezin access to top quality fruit grown according to expertise and traditions that have been handed down for decades. Each plays a crucial part in creating Artezin’s delicious wines which are truly an expression of California’s blessed climate and remarkable winemaking heritage.
This full-bodied Californian Zinfandel makes an ideal partner for rich pasta dishes like Rigatoni Bolognese, a prime steak, hard Italian cheeses like Pecorino, BBQ beef, ribs, lamb, or pizza.
Mendocino County, located on California’s North Coast, has one of the most diverse climates and terroirs in the state due to its rugged landscape and strong Pacific Ocean influence. The county sits north of Sonoma and stretches from the cool Pacific coastline to much warmer inland valleys. As a result, it experiences a transitional climate that combines maritime and Mediterranean characteristics. Summers are generally warm and dry, while winters are cool and wet. One of the defining climatic features of the region is its large diurnal temperature variation: warm days encourage sugar development in the grapes, while cool nights slow ripening and help preserve acidity. This balance allows grapes to ripen fully while retaining freshness and aromatic complexity.
The Pacific Ocean plays a crucial role in shaping the climate, especially in the western part of the county. Cool ocean air and dense morning fog often move inland through river valleys such as the Navarro River, moderating temperatures and extending the growing season. Areas close to the coast, such as Anderson Valley and Mendocino Ridge, therefore have cooler growing conditions that are particularly well suited to varieties like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer. These wines often show bright acidity, elegant structure, and pronounced aromatics because the grapes ripen slowly in the cooler environment.
Further inland, the Mendocino Range mountains act as a barrier that reduces the ocean’s cooling effect. Valleys such as Redwood Valley, Potter Valley, and McDowell Valley experience a warmer and drier Mediterranean-style climate. These areas accumulate more heat during the growing season, making them more suitable for fuller-bodied red varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Petite Sirah. The warmer temperatures allow these grapes to reach higher sugar levels and fuller phenolic ripeness, producing richer, more powerful wines than those typically found closer to the coast.
The county’s terroir is also defined by its complex soils and varied topography. Mendocino’s landscape includes steep mountain ridges, rolling hills, and river valleys, creating numerous microclimates. Vineyard elevations range from valley floors to high ridges that sit above the fog line. In the Mendocino Ridge AVA, for example, many vineyards are planted at elevations high enough to remain above the fog layer, receiving abundant sunlight while still benefiting from cool ocean breezes. This combination often produces wines with intense concentration and freshness.
Soil types throughout the county are highly varied, reflecting its geological history. Valley vineyards often contain alluvial soils made of gravel, sand, and loam deposited by rivers, which provide good drainage and moderate vine vigor. Hillside and upland vineyards may contain rocky, volcanic, or sedimentary soils that are thinner and less fertile. These poorer soils naturally limit vine growth, encouraging smaller grape yields and more concentrated flavors in the fruit.
Ideal drinking temperature 16° Celsius.
