James Joyce Zinfandel, 2024, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, California, US

 Old mountain vines, California sunshine and a winemaker who knows when to leave well enough alone. Zinfandel with all the flavour, and none of the excess.

About the wine

Think California Zinfandel is all big fruit, high alcohol and jammy flavours? Russell Joyce has a rather different idea.

Russell Joyce is a winemaker with a passion for California's lesser-known vineyards and a particular talent for letting the land do the talking. For this Zinfandel, he heads deep into Carmel Valley to Joullian Vineyard, where old mountain vines enjoy plenty of sunshine and some seriously cool nights.

Perched around 1,400 feet above sea level, the vineyard sits beyond the thick coastal fog, giving the grapes all the warmth they need during the day while the mountain air helps preserve their natural freshness. It's a rather clever combination, producing Zinfandel with character and concentration, without tipping into the usual heavy, jammy territory.

The vineyard is farmed using organic and sustainable practices, including dry farming. Russell's winemaking philosophy favours minimal intervention, allowing the grapes and their mountain origins to take centre stage.

Tasting notes

Bright cherries, lively red berries and warm spice, with a distinctive stony, earthy character. Juicy and savoury, with refreshing acidity and a structured finish that makes this a particularly food-friendly take on California's favourite red.

Food Suggestions

Smoky barbecue pork ribs, grilled lamb chops, slow-cooked beef brisket or a proper wood-fired pizza. Its bright fruit and savoury spice would also work beautifully with tomato-rich pasta, grilled aubergine or aged Cheddar.e.

About the winemaker

Joyce Winery was founded in 1986 by Russell Joyce's father, who planted a small vineyard in Carmel Valley, California. Russell, a self-taught winemaker, has since transformed the winery into a sustainable operation, recently expanding by acquiring and revitalising the old Ventana Winery in Soledad, all while adhering to organic and terroir-focused winemaking practices.