DescriptionPrior to fermentation, we bled off ten percent of the juice from our tanks to enhance the skin-to-juice ratio and increase color and flavor intensity in the glass. Fermentation occurred at a maximum temperature of 88b0F to increase extraction and to encourage development of Zinfandel's signature jammy characteristics. We added less than one percent Petite Sirah to complement our Zinfandel's color, dark fruit flavors and structure. Following fermentation, the wine underwent oak aging for six months before the final lots were blended.Producer DescriptionAt the heart of every glass of Ghost Pines is the notion that world-class wines are made from quality grapes - grapes that span many appellations. An unconventional view against today's backdrop of single-appellation wines, the Ghost Pines philosophy is a modern take on visionary winemaker Louis M. Martini's approach to winemaking. In the 1930s, Martini didn't think about appellation boundaries. He simply sought the best grapes from the best vineyards to craft his unforgettable wines, long before American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) were established in California.Seventy-five years later, Napa's historic Louis M. Martini Winery launched Ghost Pines to give Aaron Piotter and a talented group of forward-thinking winemakers the freedom to blend the finest grapes across appellations. The result is a collection of sophisticated wines that illustrate the best characteristics of each varietal and region, balancing elegance with structure, intensity with nuance.Echoing the unharnessed, free-form character of its namesake tree, Ghost Pines embodies the progressive spirit of California winemaking: no boundaries, no limits.