Bodkin Wines 'Light Skinned Zin', Mendocino, California 2022

Winemaker Chris Christensen of Bodkin Wines brings a playful yet purposeful approach to California winemaking, crafting boundary-pushing blends with precision and soul. ‘Light Skinned Zin’ is a skin-contact rosé of Zinfandel and Muscat, sourced from organically and dry-farmed old vines in Mendocino’s Venturi Vineyard. With partial fermentation in concrete egg and zero fining or filtering, this wine delivers serious texture, joyful aromatics, and vibrant drinkability.

• WINEMAKER: Chris Christensen

• FARMING: Sustainable; from organically and dry-farmed vineyards

• VARIETY: Zinfandel and Muscat

• TERROIR: Grown at L. Venturi Vineyards outside Calpella, Mendocino County—20+ years organically dry-farmed. Soils are Pinole gravelly loam with sandstone, shale, and quartz.

• VINIFICATION: Crushed grapes spent 36 hours on skins before pressing. Spontaneously fermented in a mix of stainless steel and concrete egg. Bottled the following summer with no fining or filtration. SO₂ added only at crush and post-fermentation.

• AGING: Aged in stainless steel and concrete egg

• TASTING NOTES: Bursting with flavors of strawberry, watermelon, and citrus peel. Light, juicy, and textural with fresh acidity and a dry finish. Chillable, crushable, and full of character.

• FOOD PAIRINGS: Great with poke bowls, grilled sausages, watermelon salad, or picnic snacks