Javelina Leap - Zinfandel on thier mind and their vines

"Let the grape lead the process and the palate influence the process.  Great tasting grapes lead to great wine, that need minimal interference, that has always been our philosophy here are Javelina Leap."
-Dr Russ Balda retired Northern Arizona Professor turned winemaker and operator.

For Rod Sapp it all started with an obsession with the cult favorite, Zinfandel grape.  Then came the purchase of the 10 acre vineyard in Page Springs Arizona, along with a very unique name Javelina Leap.  Most wineries in the state are named after the winemakers or with the family name, however Rod took a different approach.  He named his quaint little volcanic and limestone vineyard after the Javelina's who inhabit the area, and the leap is a tribute to the 1977 ruling in Paris that put California wine on the international wine map.  He believes it is a nice way to honor both what California did but also a hint at what Arizona is now doing, being seen as a real wine growing region producing quality, award winning wines.

This is a winery that knows the benefit and importance of consumer satisfaction and service.  And they better, because the average weekend brings up to 100 people through the doors, and since the winery is open seven days a week, they can serve as many of 50 people during the week.  "We get an extremely high satisfaction rate in the tasting room from all our visitors and they are very enthused about our wines.  Most of our customers travel from the Phoenix and Sedona area," the tasting room manager informed me. 

Years ago on my first visit, the room sat at only half the size it currently is, but they expanded once the Arizona, more specifically the Northern Arizona wine scene, blew up.  Of course, it does not hurt that Eric Glomski's Page Springs Cellars is just a hop, skip, and a jump away either!


The signature grape is Zinfandel, and the vineyard consists of mainly Zin grapes, and a few other reds, as the winery is known as a red wine house.  Of the ten acres only five are currently under vine, and this year marks the 3rd estate harvest season.  "Rod is a master at making Zinfandel, it has become a cult wine, Rod has honed in on quality Zinfandel and it sells out like crazy every year," says Dr. Russ. 

This Thanksgiving marks the fifth year of operation, however it is Rod's 15th year making wine.  Rod was an assistant wine maker with his neighbor Eric Glomski at Echo Canyon winery, where they first met and sold themselves as slaves to Arizona grapes.  Rod still maintains a close relationship with Eric, as all the vintners in the Northern Arizona community do, they work together and see themselves as family, not competition.  I had heard that same thing about the winemakers in Soniota/Elgin, which is very refreshing, people working together for the common good of making quality wine in the great state of Arizona.


"The success of wines are in the care of the process and keeping it natural.  The varietals are the game players and we let them fully express themselves.  There are four factors we look for before harvest.  First, the grape itself has to taste good, second the acids have to be balanced with the temperatures at night, which is 3.4 - 3.65 ph.  Third we like the Brix to be at 24 or 26, and finally if the seed is brown and pops out of the grapes easily, we are ready to go," says Dr. Russ during our winery tour. 

In 2009 everything in the vineyard was harvested in one day, which of course makes for a long day however, is the best conditions for the grapes.  However, in 2010 harvest took place four separate times due mostly to weather conditions.  The last thing you want to do is harvest in the rain, because the grapes absorb all the extra moisture, the buckets and crushing equipment can also fill up with extra water and results in wine that can be flat.  And speaking of weather, Rod chose his location not only because of the great vineyard soil but also for the natural slopes.  This protects them from the extreme frosts that so many other Arizona vineyards are ravaged by.  However, deer have also found the grapes very delicious and have successfully eaten an entire vineyard crop!


I highly appreciated the hospitality I received during my visit, as well as the time Dr. Russ took with me to show me the lot, barrel room, and everything I wanted to know and them some about the winery.  Javelina Leap like most wineries started making wine with California grapes, while their vineyards matured.  However, this year marks the first year of all Arizona Zinfandel's.  "We have always strived to be all Arizona and all Arizona made.  Luck is on our side right now."  They get some grapes from the Willcox area, and the rest from the estate vines.  They do make more than just Zinfandel.  Like I said early that is the bread and butter grape.  Dr. Russ was very up front with me about what wines were sourced in Arizona and which one were still outsourced, which I admired.  He was also very gracious in sending me home with two bottles of wine, one of which is his current favorite, a Cabernet Sauvignon which I already reviewed, and a huge bottle of Zinfandel which again I already reviewed.  Check out the links for the full reviews.


Javelina Leap enjoys it's current success however, has no plans to dominate the wine market.  With only ten acres they really love being a small operation that does everything on site, including most of its wine sales.  They do wholesale a few bottles.  To illustrate, 85-95% of the sales are done through the tasting room.  And really the tasting room experience is well worth the extra energy to get in the vehicle and take a little road trip.  You better hurry in soon to get a chance to taste the new vintage because since I visited in late summer most of the wines are already sold out according to the website!

My favorite aspect of the visit and you might be surprised by this, was the barrel sampling!  Actually, this time is was a little different, as Dr. Russ not only let me sample but do a blending.  Super cool!  During the time of my visit Rod and Dr. Balda were soon going to decide what wine they wanted to blend to make up the next vintage of estate wines.  So he had me taste the wines, a Zinfandel and Petite Sirah separately, then together.  It was such a fun process, to barrel thief, then blend the wines, so cool, it really got my winemaker juices flowing!  Who knows, Javelina Leap could have  just inspired the next Arizona winemaker.  And if I don't say so myself, the blend was absolutely amazing, I immediately exclaimed to Dr. Balda's delight that they must make this blend because it was super good.


Now on to my tasting notes.  A basic tasting is $12 which includes a glass.  On Saturdays and Sundays a free winery tour is included with the tasting.  As always the winemakers notes are first followed by my own.  And get ready for sticker shock my friends, these are not value priced wines, but boutique wines at boutique prices.

Medium bodied and 100 % Sangiovese. This is a smooth well balanced , very nice structure. Great nose !

*This was a nice example of my Tuscan favorite, however, I did not write nor can I remember if this was an Arizona wine.  But I guess it does not really matter anymore since it is currently sold out!  But it was easy to drink and had a nice spicy quality that would make it an exellent pizza wine.

2009 Estate Barbara

Wow!  Rare 100% Northern Arizona Barbara.  Our specialty.  Think blackberries, tropical dried fruits with a hint of vanilla and black truffle mushroom.  A young wine and already wonderfully hedonistic.  $55

*This is fast becoming another cult wine for them.  It is rushing out the door, and at $55 I am a bit surprised.  The wine was delious and a bit young but with aging I bet it could be even better.  It has a lovely stone fruit and blackberry body wrapped up with nice tannins and good acid balance.  I am always a bit hard on anyone who does something with Italian grapes as they are my most favorite.   However, I did enjoy this wine, so if you have 55 bucks to throw down, then buy a bottle and let it age.

If you are planning a road trip to Northern Arizona in the near future please be sure to add Javelina Leap to your list of stops.  You will be treated like a member of the family while enjoying the beautiful countryside with a lovely glass of Arizona wine.  Just rememember this place is polpular.  And like your high school economics teacher taught you, its all about supply and demand.  They sell out of thier bottles quickly regardless of price.  Please check out the website for more information on the winery and the winemaker.  Support Arizona wine, please pass around this post and drink local!

Thank you and enjoy!