Von Weidlich Vineyard

2003 Von Weidlich
2002 Von Weidlich
2001 Von Weidlich

Robert Von Weidlich's vineyard exudes history. Purchasing the property in 1969 from the Morelli family, he became only the second owner of the land. Zinfandel had been planted there in 1937, grafted from vines originally brought from Italy in 1884 but abanonded during Prohibition. Robert planted additional vines in 1969, selecting budwood from the 1937 planting. Robert refer's to these as "German-pruned," meaning head-trained but with a goblet of canes higher than usual, about four feet from the soil. Both the older planting and the German pruned vines are organic (though not certified so) and dry-farmed, with weeds removed by hoe and all cultivation being done by hand.

The soil is Goldridge sandy loam, and the vines luxuriate in year round temperate weather and ample rainfall, as a result of the 800 foot elevation and the influence of the coastal marine layer. Though the Green Valley area of Russian River is generally cool, the Von Weidlich Vineyard, like all of Ottimino's Vineyards, averages nearly 10 degrees warmer than adjascant areas. Rain and warmth awaken the vines early in spring, and the fruit ripens excruciatingly slowly in October. The average yield over many years is well below 2 tons to the acre.