In 1994 I started this winery and with the year 2000 completed I will go through another 7 year cycle. I have been concerned about this since these changes occur whether I want them or not. I am more concerned about where I want the style of this winery to navigate to. I love Cabernet as I have said in the past. Cabernet is aged in French oak in Bordeaux.
Some producers prefer to use American oak in California.
I want to talk today about French versus American oak on Zinfandel. Tonight Pat and I opened three wines. I had a couple of special customers ask me what I thought of Rafanelli wine. After tasting and noticing the label, I went down to collect my 1997 Zin. That proved interesting later when I tasted the three wines blind.