Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen highlight André Brunel, Pascual Toso, and Ironstone Vineyards in their Robb Report article “Everything You Need to Know About Wine Made From Old Vines.”
André Brunel on Centuries-Old Grenache
Fabrice Brunel of Domaine André Brunel produces Cuvée Centenaire, first made in 1989.
He created it to honor the 100th anniversary of the Farguerol plot, planted after phylloxera.
The wine blends 95% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre from vines averaging 130 years old.
Brunel describes it as “more complex, structured, deeper, and with a longer finish.”
He credits the vineyard’s clay soils for helping vines survive long, dry summers.
Pascual Toso: Old Vines in Argentina
In Mendoza, Argentina, winemaker Rodrigo Romero uses 70-year-old vines for Pascual Toso Alta Cabernet Sauvignon.
He values old vines for depth, complexity, and concentration.
“For great wines, we need old vineyards,” Romero says.
Young vines offer fresh fruit but often lack mature tannins and balanced acidity.
Ironstone: Ancient Zinfandel in Lodi
In Lodi, California, Ironstone Vineyards draws from vines planted in 1909.
Winemaker Steve Millier crafts the Lodi Rous Vineyard Reserve Ancient Vine Zinfandel.
He describes it as floral, elegant, and nuanced, shaped by sandy soils and warm sun.
“This wine showcases the terroir… and the warmth of the surrounding sunshine,” Millier says.
