Just as an artist’s palette needs to be set up with hues that support the vision, this delish old-vine wine’s depth and structure is also supported by a cast of complementary players that make it deep, enveloping, spicy and satisfying. Composed of 64% Carignan, 26% Petit Sirah, 4% Mataro, 4% Cinsault, and 2% Alicante Bouschet, this wine is fermented in stainless steel to preserve each varietal’s unique characteristics. It’s then aged for almost a year in a mix of French and American oak—mostly neutral with a bit of new oak to lend some spice. 

Contra Costa, Spanish for ‘opposite shore,’ is an American Viticultural Area directly east of San Francisco Bay, within the greater Central Coast AVA. Here, the unique free-draining soils lead to concentrated berries with thick skins, firm tannins, and exceptional structure.

Upward Projects exclusive collaboration with Three Wine Company. Matt Cline of Three Wine Company has significantly identified and preserved historic vineyard sites in Contra Costa County. Some, planted as long ago as the 1890s, managed to survive phylloxera, prohibition, and urban creep, leading to some of the finest Zinfandel, Carignan, and Mataro-based wines ever produced in California. 

TASTING NOTES

Violet, Boysenberry, Kirsch, Scorched Earth, and Black Pepper

COOK AT HOME

Smoked Brisket, Cheese-Stuffed Portobello Burgers

PAIR WITH POSTINO

Maitake Mushroom, Skewers, Nine Iron Panini

LISTEN TO THIS

“My Type” by Saint Motel

INSPIRE YOUR INNER CREATIVE

Savor while studying your most recent vintage print purchase