Stories of Sonoma County featured in recent ZAP Event

Posted on   September 1,2018   By John Compisi

Cline Cellars in the Carneros region of Sonoma County was the brilliant host to the most recent wine tasting event sponsored by Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP).  ZAP, if you don’t know, is a membership-based organization that advances knowledge and appreciation for American Zinfandel, the heritage grape that is most often associated with California grape growing.  The organization promotes Zinfandel’s unique place in our culture and history.

Cool, cool waters at Cline Cellars (L.Compisi)

Shady entry to Cline Cellars gardens (L.Compisi)

Cline Cellars was a perfect venue on this warm late summer afternoon with its cool ponds and well shaded lawn area next to their tasting room along Arnold Drive (also known as Highway 121) in Sonoma County. Although known for their exquisite Rhone varietals, Cline has a pretty exceptional collection of Zinfandels.

Cline Cellars was an exceptional host for the ZAP: Stories of Sonoma (L.Compisi)

Approximately 70 wine producers were represented with their Zinfandel offerings from the well-known Zinfandel growing regions of Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley as well as unique American Viticultural Area (AVA) like Rockpile.

Despite the heat, the tent remained comfortable (L.Compisi)

Gustafson Winery – Tara and Sierra (L.Compisi)

The tasty bites offered were quite nice and the overall event was typical ZAP quality. A standout were the sweet delectables provided by Sonoma Sauces a wine-based dessert and sauce company. Yummy and fun!

Tasty Bites from Sonoma Sauce were delicious (L.Compisi)

Winery highlights included: Miro Cellars (get the 2015 Reserve Ponzo Vineyard Zinfandel – no tasting room), Peterson Winery (2013 Zinfandel was exquisite), Jeff Cohn Cellars, Rock Wall (Shauna Rosenblum has Zinfandel in her DNA), Cline Cellars (they had about 5 Zin’s to taste – all good), Pedroncelli Winery (an historic – 91years- Dry Creek family winery and Zinfandel house), Artezin (Randle Johnson is a Zin Zen-Master), Mauritson (The 2016 Rockpile Ridge Zin is a standout) , Seawolf (the 2017 Rosé of Zinfandel was a treat on a warm day) and Kokomo (winemaker Erik Miller and grower-partner Randy Peters make magic).

Winemakers Miro Tcholakov (L) and Fred Peterson (R) commiserate (L.Compisi) 

Pedroncelli is an iconic Dry Creek Zinfandel House (L.Compisi)

Miro Tcholakov proudly holds his 2015 Zinfandel (L.Compisi)

Fred Peterson promotes his  2013 Dry Creek Zinfandel (L.Compisi)

Jeff Cohn is a highly regarded winemaker (L.Compisi)

Go to their tasting rooms to get the full range of their delicious wines or visit their websites and order!

MaryLee Johnson showcases husband Randle’s Artezin Zinfandel (L.Compisi)

Jeff Cohn and Rock Wall compare St. Peters Church Vineyard Zins (L.Compisi)

We also met a relatively new grower couple, Mark and Sheila Farmer who established Famighetti Vineyards in 2015 in Dry Creek Valley.  They supply Zinfandel (and other varieties) grapes to Adobe Road and Seghesio Family. Look for vineyard designates from there.

Mark Farmer happily introduces Famighetti Vineyards to the ZAP community (L.Compisi)

We think that ZAP, as a varietal advocacy group, and there are many (check out P.S. I Love You and Rhône Rangers) offers the most regular and focused tasting events throughout the year.  Educational, fun and flavorful! Become a member and get into Zinful living!

A non-political but timely and humorous slogan (L.Compisi)

ABOUT ZAP: ZAP serves as a comprehensive resource for all things Zinfandel, presenting the quality, versatility and heritage of Zinfandel in a wide-range of intimate wine tastings. seminars, master classes, blending sessions and interactive meet-the-maker round-tables, as well as their famous larger walk-around events featuring diverse wineries, vineyards and regions.

The party is over!! (L.Compisi)