January in the Cellar at Zion Vineyard: Barrel Aging and Bottling Season
"January at Zion Vineyard is a time for barrel aging the 2025 wines and bottling the 2024 wines. Wine from grapes harvested this past fall in 2025 is transferred into barrels, both French oak and American oak.
Barrel aging is an extremely important part of the winemaking process, where the vineyard’s big reds develop much of their character. This may contribute toasty notes of oak and leather or vanilla, clove spice, and char. Barrel aging adds complexity to a wine’s bouquet, nose, and taste. The way the oak barrels are charred, or the species of oak used, all affect the wine. The porous nature of wood allows oxygen to gradually enter the wine, resulting in a smoother, rounder finish...."