Drink a good Californian Zin before you die!
Why? Cabernet, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay might have more prestigious reputations in California, but Zinfandel is its signature grape and one the country can really call its own.
Ten Second Summary
- What it is: California’s signature red grape — genetically the same as Italy’s Primitivo and Croatia’s Crljenak Kaštelanski / Tribidrag, but made famous in California.
- Tastes like: Ripe blackberry, raspberry jam, bramble fruit, spice, pepper, liquorice, and sometimes a little sweet oak and warming alcohol.
- Buying shortcut: Look for old-vine Zinfandel from serious, quality-focused producers — or go straight to the 10 best Californian Zinfandel producers ↓
- Best with: Barbecue, burgers, pizza, ribs, brisket, sausages, roast lamb, and anything smoky, spicy, rich or properly hearty.
- When to drink: Most good Californian Zinfandel is best within 3 to 8 years from vintage, although the best old-vine examples can age longer.
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| Old vine Californian Zinfandel in the Hayne Vineyard, planted in 1902 at Turley Wine Cellars. Photo credit: Turley Wine Cellars. |
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1. Why Californian Zinfandel is bucket list worthy
Zinfandel really is something else.
All the most iconic varieties in the New World are French in origin. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah — all French. And most have a fairly clear origin story of how they got to their new homes.
Not Zinfandel.
For decades the origin of Zinfandel was a mystery. Yet somehow, this mysterious European grape took root in California, became intertwined with the Gold Rush, survived Prohibition, suffered through the reputation-denting success of White Zinfandel, and still emerged as one of the great full-bodied red wines of the New World.
That is why the best Californian Zinfandel belongs on your wine bucket list. Not because it is fashionable. Not because it has the prestige of Napa Cabernet or red Burgundy. But because it has history, character, generosity, old vines, and a sense of place that feels deeply, unmistakably Californian.
Although technically a European grape, Zinfandel is often called America’s grape — and rightly so. Zinfandel is ingrained into the history of America, and no other country produces as much Zinfandel, Primitivo, Tribidrag, or whatever other moniker it might go by, as America.
2. The mysterious history of Zinfandel
Then came the Zinquest — extensive DNA research carried out between the early 1990s and 2000s. The conclusion was that Zinfandel is genetically identical to Italy’s Primitivo.
But it turns out Primitivo is not originally from Italy either. It is originally from Croatia, where it is called many things, with Crljenak Kaštelanski and Tribidrag being the most used.
Still, no one seems to know for certain whether the American plantings came from Italy or Croatia, or exactly where the name Zinfandel came from. And, frankly, that is part of the charm.
Cabernet Sauvignon has a tidy story. Pinot Noir has Burgundy. Chardonnay has Burgundy too. Zinfandel has a puzzle, a Gold Rush, old vines, survival, reinvention, and a very good acronym or two.
3. How Zinfandel became California’s own claret
Zinfandel took firm hold on the California wine business in the 1880s, when its ability to produce in quantity was prized above all else. Which was muy importante as a thirsty population rapidly swelled during the Californian Gold Rush.
Zinfandel soon became the customary Californian drink. By the start of the 1900s, Zinfandel was regarded as California’s own claret and occupied some of the best vineyard sites.
This is one of the great reasons to drink Californian Zinfandel today. A good bottle is not just another ripe, full-bodied red. It is a direct line back to old California: field blends, head-trained vines, warm hillsides, family wineries, and old vineyards that somehow survived fashion, economics, and common sense.
The best Californian Zinfandel often comes from these old vines. They do not usually produce much fruit, but what they do produce can be concentrated, spicy, brambly, and full of personality.
4. White Zinfandel, reputation, and revival
Surprisingly, Prohibition had a positive effect on Zinfandel plantings — they increased. Home winemaking was still permitted under the act, and Zinfandel was a favourite amongst home winemakers.
After Prohibition, it took America a while to find its wine feet again. With acres and acres of excess Zinfandel, some producers used it to make a blush wine aimed at the white wine-drinkers that dominated US wine consumption in the 1970s.
And thus, the famous White Zinfandel was born.
The style was a huge hit and sold phenomenally well to thirsty, unengaged consumers. It did little, however, to bolster the reputation of Zinfandel as a quality variety to more aspirational drinkers.
In the 1980s and 1990s, varieties like Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot Noir fell into favour with consumers and winemakers, while Zinfandel fell out.
Fortunately, some quality-focused producers did produce serious Zinfandel as a full-bodied red wine. Consequently, strong advocates for top quality Zin among consumers started to grow, and so did the number of quality producers.
Their passion was so strong they even formed a group aptly called Zinfandel Advocates & Producers — or ZAP for short. Gotta love a good acronym! You can check out their work here: zinfandel.org.
This video produced for the Paso Robles Zinfandel Festival sums it up well. Enjoy!
Watch “Zinfandel - Paso’s Wine” on YouTube
5. Ten best Californian Zinfandel producers and bottles to try
Here are 10 of the best Californian Zinfandel producers and bottles to try before you die. Some are famous, some are culty, some are old-vine treasures, and some are simply delicious examples of why proper Californian Zin deserves far more respect than it sometimes gets.
1) Ridge Vineyards – Lytton Springs
Ridge is one of the great names in Californian wine, and Lytton Springs is one of the benchmark Zinfandel-based wines of the state. It is not always 100% Zinfandel — Petite Sirah, Carignane and other varieties often play supporting roles — but that is part of its charm. This is old-vine, field-blend California at its best: structured, savoury, brambly, spicy and age-worthy.
If you want to understand why serious wine people take Zinfandel seriously, start here.
Find Ridge Lytton Springs on Wine-Searcher
2) Turley Wine Cellars – Hayne Vineyard Zinfandel
Turley is almost synonymous with old-vine Californian Zinfandel. The wines can be big, ripe, powerful and full throttle, but the best have far more going on than brute force.
Hayne Vineyard, planted in 1902, is one of the great old-vine Zinfandel sites. If old vines are part of the magic of Californian Zinfandel, this is one of the wines that proves the point.
Find Turley Hayne Vineyard Zinfandel on Wine-Searcher
3) Bedrock Wine Co. – Old Vine Zinfandel
Bedrock Wine Co. has done an enormous amount to champion California’s old vineyards. Their wines often feel like vinous preservation projects that also happen to be delicious.
Bedrock Old Vine Zinfandel is a great buying shortcut: generous, characterful, old-vine Californian Zinfandel without needing to remortgage the house. Expect bramble fruit, spice, energy, and that sense of old California in a glass.
Find Bedrock Old Vine Zinfandel on Wine-Searcher
4) Seghesio Family Vineyards – Old Vine Zinfandel
Seghesio is one of the classic names for Sonoma Zinfandel and has a long track record with the variety. The wines are usually generous, polished and accessible, with enough seriousness to remind you that Zinfandel is not just barbecue booze.
Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel is a great bottle for people who want ripe fruit, spice, warmth and polish without tipping into caricature.
Find Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel on Wine-Searcher
5) Ravenswood – Old Hill Zinfandel
Ravenswood helped keep the flame alive for serious red Zinfandel. The old motto — “No Wimpy Wines” — tells you plenty about the intended style.
Old Hill is one of California’s historic vineyard names and one of the wines that shows why old-vine Zinfandel can be so compelling. It is bold, yes, but also savoury, layered, and far more interesting than the cheap-and-cheerful reputation sometimes attached to Zin.
Find Ravenswood Old Hill Zinfandel on Wine-Searcher
6) Robert Biale Vineyards – Black Chicken Zinfandel
Robert Biale is a Napa name closely associated with proper, characterful Zinfandel. Black Chicken is the signature bottle and has become something of a cult Californian Zin in its own right.
It is rich, dark, spicy and satisfying — the sort of wine that makes a lot more sense with a plate of ribs, brisket, burgers or sausages than with a tasting note and a furrowed brow.
Find Robert Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel on Wine-Searcher
7) Carlisle Winery – Papera Ranch Zinfandel
Carlisle is one of the go-to producers for lovers of intense, old-vine Californian reds. The wines are often concentrated and powerful, but the best have lift, detail and real vineyard character.
Papera Ranch is one of the standout names in the Carlisle stable and a terrific example of why old-vine Russian River Valley Zinfandel can be so exciting.
Find Carlisle Papera Ranch Zinfandel on Wine-Searcher
8) Martinelli – Giuseppe & Luisa Zinfandel
Martinelli is best known by many for powerful Sonoma wines, and its Zinfandels are not shy. Giuseppe & Luisa is a rich, ripe, full-bodied expression that delivers exactly the kind of hedonistic pleasure many people secretly want from Californian Zin.
This is not the wine to pour for someone looking for something thin, pale and nervy. This is Californian Zinfandel in generous mode.
Find Martinelli Giuseppe & Luisa Zinfandel on Wine-Searcher
9) Storybook Mountain Vineyards – Mayacamas Range Zinfandel
Storybook Mountain is a superb choice if you want Zinfandel with a little more restraint, freshness and mountain-grown structure. It is still recognisably Californian Zin, but not just a wall of fruit and alcohol.
Mayacamas Range Zinfandel is elegant by Zin standards, with berry fruit, spice, balance and enough freshness to make it a particularly food-friendly bottle.
Find Storybook Mountain Mayacamas Range Zinfandel on Wine-Searcher
10) Once & Future – Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel
Once & Future is the project of Joel Peterson, the founder of Ravenswood and one of the important modern champions of Californian Zinfandel. The name says it all: looking back to historic vineyards and traditional California wine, while making wines for now.
Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel is a fitting bottle to end on: historic site, old-vine character, and the kind of producer story that makes the wine more meaningful than just another red on the shelf.
Find Once & Future Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel on Wine-Searcher
6. Californian Zinfandel FAQ
What is a California Zinfandel?
California Zinfandel is a red wine made from the Zinfandel grape, one of California’s signature varieties. Although the grape is genetically linked to Italy’s Primitivo and Croatia’s Crljenak Kaštelanski / Tribidrag, California made it famous.
Is Zinfandel considered a cheap wine?
Some Zinfandel is cheap, especially simple White Zinfandel or mass-market red Zin, but the best Californian Zinfandel is not cheap plonk. Old-vine Zinfandel from top producers can be serious, complex, age-worthy and, in some cases, quite expensive.
Is Zinfandel a sweet or dry wine?
Red Californian Zinfandel is usually dry, although its ripe fruit and high alcohol can make it taste slightly sweet. White Zinfandel, the pink blush style, is often noticeably sweeter.
What does California Zinfandel taste like?
California Zinfandel often tastes of ripe blackberry, raspberry, bramble fruit, plum, spice, pepper, liquorice and sometimes vanilla or sweet oak. The style can range from fresh and spicy to big, rich, jammy and high in alcohol.
Is Zinfandel a beginner wine?
Yes, it can be. A good Californian Zinfandel is generous, fruity, full-bodied and easy to enjoy. It is especially good for people who like bold reds but do not want the firm tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon.
What pairs with California Zinfandel?
California Zinfandel is brilliant with barbecue, burgers, ribs, brisket, pizza, sausages, roast lamb, chilli, smoky dishes and anything with a bit of sweetness, spice or char.
Is Zinfandel a classy wine?
It can be. Zinfandel does not always have the prestige of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, but the best Californian Zinfandel producers make wines with history, old-vine concentration, complexity and real class.
Is Zinfandel or Pinot Noir better?
Neither is better; they are different. Pinot Noir is usually lighter, more delicate and more perfumed. Zinfandel is usually fuller-bodied, riper, spicier and more powerful. If you want elegance, choose Pinot. If you want generosity and old-vine Californian swagger, choose Zinfandel.
Is Zinfandel one of the smoothest drinking red wines?
It can be very smooth, especially when ripe, full-bodied and polished. If you like smooth red wines with plenty of fruit, Californian Zinfandel is a very good place to look.
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