Emilio,

I have to say that while there may be a stylistic norm for zinfandel in
California that makes for super strong and very heavy fruit-forward Zins, I
think Sonoma will proove to be much better suited to the variety for the
production of fine Zins with ageworthiness. One of the best California
Zinfandel's I've tasted was Sebastiani's
Sonoma valley Old Vines Zinfandel. The wine showed a depth of character and
complexity that is simply absent from Zins made from fruit grown in hot
areas. One thing to note with respect to Zinfandel is that "old vines" have
often been recognized for production of superior wines. While you obviously
cannot purchase 80 year old vines for your vineyard, you may want to
consider more open spacing and training to a larger perennial structure.
Some believe (and I think I may be one of them!) that some of the "old vine"
quality comes from the fact that old vines are simply larger relative to
their perennial wood. In any event, open spacing of 8-9 feet between vines
and 3-5 inches betwen shoots would provide a large perennial structure and
plenty of sunlight and air circualation around the fruit....

MAN! I AM JUST RAMBLING ON AND ON..... My apologies.

As to your question.... I suggest contacting Sebastiani and find out what
they have. Maybe they would even spare you some cuttings??

CHEERS and good luck!!

Aaron



"Emilio Castelli" > wrote in message
...
> I have lots of input from locals. Most of them telling me I should not
plant
> Zinfandel at all.
> But I have planted Sangiovese because my favorite wine is Brunello,
Nebbiolo
> because it is the grape grown where I was born and now I am going to plant
> Zinfandel because my wife's roots are in Croatia.
>
> Actually I will also be getting some Jackass Hill clippings soon and I am
> going to plant them w/o grafting. Some might make it.
> Thanks.
> E
>
> butlercellars > wrote in message
> ...
> > Emilio,
> >
> > You might consider Pinot Noir or Chardonnay out there in that cool
climate
> > instead of Zin. And unless you're grafting your own, you might have to
> > select from what the nurseries have left; the selection gets slim by
this
> > time of the year. See what they recommend, and what your neighbors are
> > growing (most likely Pinot & Chard).
> >
> > Furthermore, the rootstock really depends on your soil type/conditions,
> and
> > to some extent the irrigation, trellising, and canopy management you
plan
> to
> > use. Check with the U.C. Cooperative Extension County Farm Advisor:
> >
> > 2604 Ventura Ave., Room 100, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
> >
> > Phone: (707) 565-2621 Fax: (707) 565-2623
> >
> > Web site: <http://cesonoma.ucdavis.edu/>
> >
> > If you do go with Zin, I imagine they'd suggest a vigorous rootstock
such
> as
> > St. George or 100R.
> >
> > Good Luck! -Rob
> >
> > "Emilio Castelli" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > I will be planting 80 Zinfandel vines this spring.
> > > I live in the Green Valley appelation of Sonoma (a cool area within
the
> > > Russian River Valley appelation).
> > > Does anyone have suggestions, recomendations for clone and rootstock?
> > > Thanks in advance.
> > > Emilio
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>