The best Zinfandels from California offer powerful intensity and incredible purity of fruit. Sonoma is the predominant region for stellar Zinfandel. The best wines come from old vines aging 70-100 years. Their scarcity and intense richness makes them sought after by a select following of Zin fanatics, and with good reason.
Thought to have originated in Croatia, you might also find the Zinfandel variety under its Italian moniker, Primitivo. While the Italian version is inky in color, very tannic, with rustic earthiness, the California style is fruit forward, nuanced, jammy, and expressive.
Zinfandel is known as California’s heritage variety. Many of the old vines were planted in the 19th by new Italian immigrants to California seeking to make the bold wines from back home in Southern Italy. These vines lasted through Prohibition due to the hard work of dedicated stewards of the land. These are the oldest vines in the United States.
Zinfandel vines are difficult to manage, the wine is challenging to make
Top California Zinfandels
2021 Hierogram Old Vine Zinfandel $14.99 - VIEW PRODUCT
A classic example of Lodi Zinfandel. Ripe notes of wild blackberry bramble, sweet nutmeg, spiced cherries, vanilla, and toasted almonds. This wine pairs beautifully with full bodied meat dishes and rich tomato-based pastas and is an excellent choice for summer BBQ's.
2018 Calstar Cellars Alta Zinfandel $24.99 - VIEW PRODUCT
Sweet baking spice aromas with hints of dark sweet cherry, lavender, and pepper. The rich dark fruit flavors are pronounced making this wine an incredible value for money.
2020 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel $42.99 - VIEW PRODUCT
Representing one of the top wines from Dry Creek in Sonoma, Lytton Springs boasts 115-year-old vines, a field blend of petite sirah, carignane, a small amount of mataro (mourvèdre), and grenache.
Elyse Genderson is the Vice President at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill. Visit her at the shop to discover wines you’ll love.
