From the Lodi original plant to a brand: Gnarly Head since 2004
The name says it all: Gnarly Head is named after the twisted, gnarled trunks of the head-trained Zinfandel vines in the heart of Lodi – free-standing plants that do not require wire trellising and look like old, weathered sculptures. The brand began in 2004 with a clear mission: to make a serious Zinfandel, and for this, the winemakers traveled to Lodi in Central California in search of these very legendary Old Vine vineyards. The oldest Zinfandel vines date back to the early 1900s, when Italian immigrants settled the west side of Lodi and planted Zinfandel. Behind Gnarly Head is Delicato Family Vineyards, a family-owned winery from California, founded in 1924. Three generations of the family have since been responsible for vineyard operations and winemaking at their various estates in California.
Lodi Rules, handshake agreements, and the art of the right moment
The Clay Station Vineyard is managed sustainably according to the Lodi Rules and has been certified since 2006 by Protected Harvest, a non-profit organization that oversees strict environmental standards in agriculture. Many of the vineyards are still managed by the same families and supply Gnarly Head based on long-term contracts sealed with a handshake. Viticulturist Bud Bradley oversees the vineyards in the field: he ensures that the sustainably managed vines thrive in some of the oldest and most respected vineyards in Lodi – Zinfandel vines that are trained using the traditional, free-standing head-trained method. Scott Jones joined the team as a winemaker in 2008 and further developed his expertise in the Lodi growing region – a key competence for Gnarly Head. He spends hours in the vineyards every day, checking the plots, tasting the grapes, and maintaining grower relationships that have grown over several generations. In the cellar, Scott ensures that his winemaking consistently carries the powerful house style of Gnarly Head.
Old roots, broad range – the Gnarly style in the bottle
The Old Vine Zinfandel grows on some of California's oldest vines. Older vines bear fewer grape clusters – but the small berries bring intense, dark fruit aromas. The brand is known for its Lodi Zinfandel from 35 to 80-year-old, head-trained vines. The flavor profile of the flagship moves between blackberry, black raspberry, dark plum, and spice accents with soft tannins. The majority of the range comes from appellations such as Lodi, Monterey, and the North Coast. The range includes Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio. For all other varieties, the winemakers select grapes from the best vineyards in Northern California to craft wines in the typical Gnarly house style – powerful and juicy. Anyone who finds the Chardonnay or Pinot Noir on the shelf gets the same standard as with the Zinfandel: ripe fruit, clear character, no compromises.
