Planchon

Description: The 6.65-acre vineyard on Empire Avenue is what remains from the original 40-acre
homestead planted by Joseph Planchon, in 1902. According to the family oral history, he paid a $10 gold coin for the land “bought from the railroad.” The vineyard is planted in alluvial sands; Zinfandel primary, some Merlot and Barberra, that thrive in the hot summer days and cooler nights with the Delta breeze. One of the most inland vineyards in Oakley it tends to be a warmer site than the vineyards situated closer to
the delta. The roots grow deep in the sand, finding scarce water in a drought. The old gnarly zinfandel vines are old world head pruned on their original root stock, producing grapes that tend to be bold and stout, full of flavor. The property produces heavy, but quality crops on such a small acreage — as much as 25 tons or more in a good year, most of it coming from the old vines section of the vineyard.