2021 Handley Cellars Kazmet Vineyard Zinfandel Redwood Valley Mendocino

• If You Love Dark Chocolate, Buy This!
• 94 Point Vintage ~Wine Spectator
• "Complex & Captivating" ~93 Wine Enthusiast
• Limited: Only 160 Cases Produced
• Winemaker Worked at Fieldstone, Navarro & Philo Ridge
• BHW has the Lowest Price Anywhere!
• Free Shipping on 6 or More Bottles

***New Release Pre-Arrival: ETA April 15 2025***

About the Wine

Zinfandel is notorious for uneven ripening and as a result can be imbalanced in the mouth. This wine has balance in spades: balanced fruit and acid, balanced alcohol, and balanced flavors of chocolate and berries. This one fires on all fronts.

The story of Handley Cellars is as rich and layered as the wines they produce, and it’s all thanks to the incredible people who bring it to life. At the heart of this family-owned winery is Lulu Handley, who now leads Handley Cellars with a passion for sustainability, tradition, and, of course, extraordinary wine.

Lulu is the younger of Milla Handley’s two daughters. Milla, the visionary founder of Handley Cellars, established the winery in 1982, and for decades, she built a brand that became synonymous with quality, balance, and a strong commitment to organic farming. Lulu grew up immersed in the wine world, riding the bus to the winery after school and using the vineyard as her playground. From an early age, she developed a deep connection to the land and a love for agriculture, something that became even stronger during her time at UC Berkeley, where she studied Rhetoric and cultivated a passion for agriculture and ecology.

After graduating, Lulu’s curiosity took her across the globe. She traveled to Peru, learning from traditional farmers in the Andean altiplano before heading to Galicia, Spain, to apprentice in the cellar at Do Ferreiro Winery, where she gained hands-on experience with old vine Albariño.

In 2016, Lulu moved back to Anderson Valley, where she took over the reins at Handley Cellars after Milla’s retirement. She’s now working to honor her mother’s legacy while pushing the winery forward, all while focusing on nurturing the land for future generations.

Then there’s Randy Schock, the Co-Winemaker at Handley Cellars, who’s been an integral part of the winery since 2004. Before joining the Handley team, Randy had an impressive career working at some of the most respected wineries in California. He started at Fieldstone in Alexander Valley, and has also worked with Navarro Vineyards and Philo Ridge Winery.

In 2012, Randy became Co-Winemaker at Handley, working closely with Milla Handley to continue producing balanced wines that showcase the site and vintage. Randy is known for his minimal intervention winemaking style, allowing the vineyards and the wine to express themselves naturally without relying on chemical manipulations.

José Jiménez, the Vineyard Manager at Handley Cellars, who’s been with the team since 1989. José is the backbone of Handley’s 30-acre organic estate vineyard in Anderson Valley, where he oversees all aspects of the vineyard, from pruning and irrigation to harvest.

Together the entire Handley team combine their collective knowledge, passion, and respect for the land to craft wines that are as authentic as they are exceptional. Each bottle of Handley Cellars wine is a testament to their dedication to sustainability, tradition, and quality. And with a rich history spanning over four decades, this winery continues to be a beacon of excellence in Mendocino County.

Aged for 16 months in French oak barrels (20% new).

Tasting Notes

100% Zinfandel. The fruit for this wine was sourced from Kazmet Ranch, CCOF Organic Certified. These older head pruned vines are dry farmed, providing ripe concentrated flavors. Aroma of warm black berry pie, black plum, and fresh moist earth. Flavors of brambly berry, black plum, anise, nuts, with hints of sage. Medium-bodied, rich and round in the mouth with soft tannins and delicate acidity framing the long-lasting fruit on the palate. A small addition of Syrah (10%) adds a little tannin structure and complexity to the blend. 

Critic Review

Complex, enriched fruit with aromas of Boysenberry jam, black currant confiture, cardamom, and toasted oak are captivating on the nose. The flavors on the palate are raspberry-rhubarb, mulberry, orange vanilla cream, star anise, and supple tannins to finish. Decant and Enjoy pair with turkey meatloaf. ~93 Wine Enthusiast

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