Jackass Hill Muscat Alexandria
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2027
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Fruit tarts, blue cheese, spicy Thai curry
✨ Technical Specifications
Perched on the legendary, near-vertical 60-degree slope of Jackass Hill, a tiny parcel of Muscat of Alexandria coexists alongside the historic Zinfandel vines planted by Giuseppe Martinelli in 1887. This extreme, dry-farmed terroir forces the centenarian, head-trained vines to struggle for survival, resulting in incredibly low yields of intensely concentrated fruit. Crafted in extremely limited quantities, this rare white wine is celebrated for its explosive aromatics and rich, textured palate. It stands as a liquid testament to the family's multi-generational farming heritage and the unique microclimate of the Russian River Valley, offering a sensory bridge to California's early viticultural history.
🍾 About the Producer
Martinelli Winery represents one of the most storied multi-generational viticultural legacies in Sonoma County, dating back to 1887 when Tuscan immigrants Giuseppe Martinelli and Luisa Vellutini first planted vines in the Russian River Valley. The estate's crown jewel remains the famed Jackass Hill—a perilous, non-terraced 60-degree slope planted to historic heritage Zinfandel and Muscat of Alexandria. Across more than 450 acres spanning Russian River Valley and Fort Ross-Seaview, the Martinellis cultivate cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as heritage Zinfandel and Syrah, across Goldridge sandy loam and marine gravel soils influenced by dense Pacific coastal fog. Winemaking emphasizes site fidelity through ambient yeast fermentations, meticulous French oak élevage, and minimal intervention, bottling without fining or filtration. Benchmark bottlings such as Jackass Hill Zinfandel, Three Sisters Chardonnay, and Zio Tony Ranch Pinot Noir capture rich concentration, vibrant acidity, and profound structural depth.
🍇 Grapes
Muscat of Alexandria