SIGNAL
FIRE
OLD VINE ZINFANDEL • CALISTOGA • NAPA VALLEY
"The Flame of Calistoga: a tribute to Napa Valley's history, born from century-old vineyards that offer unparalleled concentration and minerality."
The Centenary Legacy
Signal Fire is a wine with a deep soul and heritage. It comes from the historic Signal Fire Vineyard in Calistoga, where Zinfandel vines were originally planted over a century ago. As century-old vines, production is minimal, but the fruit concentration is monumental. Kirk Venge ages the wine for 18 months in new French oak to tame the natural power of the terroir, achieving a fascinating balance between the strength of the alcohol and the elegance of the granite.
1. Identity Profile
Winery: Venge Vineyards.
Origin: Signal Fire Vineyard, Calistoga, Napa Valley, USA.
Varietal: 95% Zinfandel, 5% Petite Sirah (Old Vines).
Aging: 18 months in new French oak barrels.
Soil: Decomposed granite and volcanic deposits.
Alcohol: 15.7% Alc. Vol.
Presentation: 750 ml
2. Sommelier's Notes (Sensory Experience)
Appearance: Intense and saturated ruby color with electric violet reflections. Very high layer and glyceric density revealing a monumental extract.
Nose: Complex and fascinating. Evokes the minerality of granite and ash, followed by an explosion of ripe blackberries, dried figs, damp forest notes, and a subtly smoky background.
Palate: Captivating and enveloping palate. Explosion of deep black flavors with a rich texture and a lasting generosity. Despite its robustness, it maintains a tannic finesse and an unforgettable earthy character.
3. Wine Architecture
4. Pairing and Serving Ritual
Cuts and Smoke: Ideal partner for **smoked beef ribs**, wild boar cuts, chocolate venison, or premium cuts with an espresso and black pepper crust.
Mexican Cuisine: Its fruity ripeness harmonizes with a **Mole Negro from San Pedro Atocpan** or dishes using smoked dried chilies such as chipotle or pasilla.
Characterful Cheeses: Mature cheeses like 24-month Cheddar, smoked Gouda, or strong washed-rind cheeses.
Serving Protocol: Given its high alcohol content, it is recommended to serve between **16°C and 18°C**. A 40-minute decantation allows the mineral notes to fully express themselves.
Technical Information for Experts (FAQ)
How does Petite Sirah influence this Zinfandel?
The 5% Petite Sirah is added as a "structural support." It provides greater color depth and a tannic backbone that helps balance the fruity exuberance and alcohol of the Old Vine Zinfandel.
Why is production so limited?
The 1915 vines have a very low natural yield (less than 2 tons per acre). This ensures that every drop is a pure concentrate of Calistoga's history, but limits production to just a few hundred cases annually.