Florence Vineyard – Rockpile’s Original Zin. A Virtual Tasting.
11
Jun 2025

Florence Vineyard – Rockpile’s Original Zin. A Virtual Tasting.

A return visit with a pioneer in California wine-growing

11
Jun 2025

Florence Vineyard – Rockpile’s Original Zin. A Virtual Tasting.

A return visit with a pioneer in California wine-growing

Free RSVP
Type Virtual Tasting
Virtual platform
Tags california wine / virtual tasting / wine / zinfandel
Schedule
11
Jun 2025
  • Virtual Tasting 11 Jun, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Free RSVP

Overview

Join us for a FREE special virtual tasting -- and return visit -- with a California wine pioneer, Jack Florence, Jr. Jack planted the first Zinfandel wines in what would become the new Rockpile AVA in 1994, bringing cuttings from St. Peters’ Church vineyard, and working with Kent Rosenblum to produce wines that immediately attracted attention. Jack planted neighboring vineyards through the 1990s, using the same clone of Zinfandel. It is because of him and his family that the creation of the Rockpile appellation (AVA) occurred, and he has been credited with the development of a recognizable character for grape growing in a very special, high-altitude corner of Sonoma County.

ROCKPILE: GREAT WINES

  • Sonoma County’s Rockpile AVA is located high above the Dry Creek Valley.
  • The terroir of Rockpile is made in part by the deep, 2,500 acre Lake Sonoma reservoir.
  • Rockpile is Zinfandel country.
  • Its Zin grapes are legendary, while it is also home to some other red varietals, namely Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Free RSVP

MEET JACK FLORENCE, JR.

  • Jack first drove out Rockpile Road in 1992, and was immediately impressed by the quiet, rugged, mountainous beauty of this no-man’s-land.
  • He was 29, and after six years in the vineyard management business, he was looking for a place of his own.
  • He knew that tall grass and Redwood trees were a sign of good soil, and that this  location, 1200 feet above sea level, had many benefits to offer.
Free RSVP

THE WINES

  • 2022 Zinfandel, Rockpile Reserve
  • 2021 Zinfandel, Rockpile Reserve
  • 2022 Petite Sirah, Rockpile

Use promo code: CRUSHXP for 20% off all wines and free shipping on 6 bottles +.

Take an additional 20% off 2021 wines

Get the wines here

Free RSVP

SPECTACULAR GRAPES

  • Since 2016 Jack has worked to supply some excellent winemakers with his Zinfandel and Petit Sirah grapes: Wilson Artisan Wines, Mazzocco Winery, Pezzi King Vineyards, Rockpile Vineyard, Carol Shelton Wines, Simoncini Winery, and the Hess Collection.
Free RSVP

Related events

Local
Jazz In The Vines – Peter White
12
Jul 2025

Jazz In The Vines – Peter White

Jazz superstar Peter White Will Kick Off the 2025 Jazz In The Vines™ Series on July 12 at Jamesport Vineyards!

View Details
Local
Jazz In The Vines – Eric Darius
26
Jul 2025

Jazz In The Vines – Eric Darius

Eric Darius brings his Billboard chart-topping music and high-energy show to Jamesport Vineyards on July 26!

View Details
Local
Jazz In The Vines – Alex Bugnon
09
Aug 2025

Jazz In The Vines – Alex Bugnon

Alex Bugnon and his group bring smooth jazz mastery and soulful grooves to Peconic Bay Vineyards on August 9!

View Details
View more