I was delighted to meet Joel Peterson, founder of Ravenswood Winery in Sonoma Valley, California. Joel is known as the Godfather of Zin (aka Zinfandel) such is his knowledge of this Californian grape variety. He has researched and lectured on this variety extensively, and produces single vineyard designate Zinfandels, county series Zinfandels and the range currently available in Ireland – the Vintner’s blend. It was amazing to taste the difference site makes to this normally spicy, powerful variety. It was very humbling to hear Joel speak of his role as a caretaker for the vineyards, recognising that while vines and vineyards live for decades and occasionally for generations, for various reasons ownership can often pass from one person to the next. – Maureen O’Hara
