to the printed program

BeWow’d!
Get ZAP’d!
Laughter, Friends
& Zinfandel
ZAP is all about bringing together
Zinfandel enthusiasts or those just
beginning to indulge in the splendor
of Zinfandel.
ZAP produces numerous member events,
tours and cruises; and partners with
many of the wine industry’s
leading organizations.
With your ZAP membership, you will
have unique opportunities to explore
Zinfandel, meet other Zinfandel enthusiasts, and discover new wineries.
Visit zinfandel.org
for a complete list of benefits
Join Online Today!
“Being a
ZAP advocate
has helped me be
more active in the
Zinfandel community
and meet people who
are as passionate as
I am about Zinfandel.”
Tony Purmal
ZAP Member
Unmask
Your Passion
America’s Heritage Wine
8TH ANNUAL
Flights!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Ocean Avenue Campus
50 Phelan Avenue, San Francisco
P R O U D LY S P O N S O R E D B Y
ZINFANDEL ADVOCATES & PRODUCERS
P.O. Box 1487, Rough & Ready, CA 95975 • 530.274.4900
Z I N FA N D E L A D V O C AT E S & P R O D U C E R S
18th ANNUAL
Zinfandel
FESTIVAL EVENTS
Wednesday, January 28
Flights! A Showcase of Zinfandels
Unmask your passion for the art of Zinfandel winemaking and taste some of
the finest selections of Zinfandel produced. The Flights event features a full
program of in-depth seminars and sumptuous food with a focus on highlyallocated, limited production Zinfandels. Winemakers and proprietors from
over 30 wineries will pour. Produced in collaboration with the City College of San
Francisco Culinary Arts & Hospitality Studies program.
Thursday, January 29
Good Eats & Zinfandel Pairing
Unmask your “inner epicurean.” This year’s unparalleled selection of over
50 award-winning wineries and over 50 noteworthy restaurants is a “foodies”
dream come true. Talented chefs present the ultimate combinations of
distinctive tastes while winery proprietors offer stunning Zinfandels to match.
These lavish combinations are sure to please your palate.
New! ZAP proudly presents our expanded Silent Auction at the Good Eats
& Zinfandel Pairing event.
Friday, January 30
Evening with the Winemakers Benefit Auction & Dinner
Unmask your Zinfandel desires. Sit with the winemakers and owners who craft
the remarkable wines presented at this opulent benefit auction and gourmet
dinner. Reality and illusion merge during the Live Auction where attendees
have an exclusive opportunity to show their passion for one-of-a-kind
Zinfandel Experiences and decadent auction packages—combining wine, art,
travel, and interactive winemaking.
Saturday, January 31
Grand ZinfandelTasting
2
Z A P A S S O C I AT E S
ACI Cork USA
Alameda Publishing Group
Allied Grape Growers
Amador County Wine Grape
Growers Association
Amador Vintners
Association
Angels' Share Wine Shop
Balyeat Ranch
Bank of the West
Barricia Vineyard
Benchmark Consulting
Billet Transportation
Brian Arden Wines
Caliber Wine Company
California Glass
Canton Wood Products LLC
Cellar Central
As of 1/09
Lodi-Woodbridge
Winegrape Commission
Los Angeles International
Wine & Spirits Competition
Karl Marchionna
M. A. Silva Corks USA, LLC
M. Shanken
Communications
Mohr-Fry Ranches
Napa's Grape Escape
Oak Cliff Cellars
Orsi Vineyards
OWD Wine
Portocork America
Quarterly Review of Wines
Ramondin USA, Inc.
Rancho Azul y Oro
Rich Xiberta USA
Christie Consulting
Rockpile Road Vineyard
City College of San
Francisco, Culinary Arts &
Hospitality
Bridge Brands Chocolate
Ross Clark - Material
Handling
City National Bank
San Francisco Magazine
Clockspring Vineyards
San Joaquin Wine Company
ZAP ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
July 2008-June 2009
President Bruce Walker
Vice President Duane Dappen
Secretary Barbara Spelletich
Treasurer John Hanhauser
Central Coast Director Josh Beckett Peachy Canyon Winery
Central Valley Director Tim Holdener Macchia
Greater Bay Area Director Kent Rosenblum Rosenblum Cellars
Sierra Foothills Director Justin Boeger Boeger Winery
Mendocino & Lake Director Vacant
Napa Valley Directors Robert Biale Robert Biale Vineyards
Duane Dappen D-Cubed Cellars, Barbara Spellectich Spelletich Cellars
North Sonoma Directors Donn Reisen Ridge Vineyards
Pete Seghesio Seghesio Family Vineyards
Miro Tcholakov Trentadue Winery
South Sonoma Director Joel Peterson Ravenswood
At Large Directors Erin Cline, Three Wine Company,
John Hanhauser Wine Wizard, Kent Knight, Chris Leamy Montevina,
Bernie Scarinzi, Bruce Walker Starry Night Winery
Executive Director Rebecca Robinson
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ZAP wishes to recognize
Club Zinfandel
Saury USA
Corkeeper
Seguin Moreau Napa
Cooperage, Inc.
ZAP STAFF
Silicon Valley Bank
Rebecca Robinson
Cork Supply USA, Inc.
Cuvee Companies
Dillwood Burkel & Sully LLP
Energy 92.7 FM
Francis Vineyards
Soucie Vineyards
StaVin Incorporated
Stone's Throw Winery
the following for their contributions to the Festival
Executive Director
Glenda Cunningham
Development Manager
Tonelería Magreñan
Donna Bisbiglia Event Coordinator
David Komisar Office Support
Samantha Clapp Office Support
Gustafson Family Vineyards
LLC
Tonnellerie Radoux, USA,
Inc.
ZAP PRODUCER WINERIES
Heffernan Insurance
Brokers
Touring & Tasting Magazine
for Zinfandel and Auction Items
Umpqua Bank
Hinman & Carmichael LLP
Valhalla Cellars
ZAP FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Icon Estates
Vine and Barrel
ZAP VOLUNTEERS
iGourmet
Vinico LLC
2009 AUCTION CO-CHAIRS
Imbibe
Vintage Wine Trust
Doug Beckett
InterWest Insurance
Services, Inc.
Western Square Industries
Irish Dairy Board
Wine America Insurance
Full Glass Research
Ganau America
Glaceau - Smart Water
Jerianne Van Dijk
Watercolor & Illustration
Jeremiah's Pick Coffee
Company
John Sutak Risk Services
Unmask your enthusiasm! This Zinfandel extravaganza—the most comprehensive showing of Zinfandel wineries in the world—features hundreds of
barrel samples, new releases and premier Zinfandels. You will taste some of
the most exciting wines made today! Engage the growers and winemakers
who are excited to discuss with you the artistic dedication to their craft.
Joseph W. Ciatti Company
Proceeds from the Auctions benefit ZAP’s Heritage Projects, including
Zinfandel research at the Heritage Vineyard, scholarships and wine education.
Landmark Label
Juvenal Direct, Inc.
KM Properties, Inc.
KVON 1440AM & 99.3FM
THE VINE
L. Barron & Associates, Inc.
Lampyridae Vineyards
Lodi District Grape Growers
Association
TastingMaster LLC
The Estates Group
Wine & Spirits Magazine
Wine Country This Week
Wine Enthusiast
Winedocs
Wines & Vines
WW Shipping Solutions
Yelp.com
Zin Masters Wine Club
ZORK USA
Peachy Canyon Winery
Erin Cline
Three Wine Company
John & Terri Hanhauser
Wine Wizard
Kim Smith
WW Shipping Solutions
PRODUCTION PARTNERS
3-B Productions
Rick Aeschliman
The Staff at Bank of the West
Billet Transportation
Doug Filipponi Ancient Peaks Winery
David Fratto Media Posse
David Goldkind
Jackie Gorman
Shawn Gorman
Paul Houck MarketPro
Lee Gregory McCall Associates
Mike Hauser The Real Graphic Source
Jean Johnstone Auction Coordinator
Joey Jordan
JulieAnn Kodmur ZAP’s Publicist
Jared Krupnick Pullseye Website Design
Amy Labowitch Dome Printing
Shanin Martin Any Things Printable
Nick Otis Jenkins Street Productions
Janett Peace
Kristen Radovitch Jenkins Street
Productions
Tannis Reinhertz City College
Kim Rogers KIM ART Graphics
Jerianne Van Djik ZAP’s Art Artist
Angela Whitcomb
Lindsay Whitcomb
WW Shipping Solutions
M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T
The Association of Zinfandel Advocates and Producers is a not-for-profit,
501(c)(3) organization. ZAP is dedicated to advancing public knowledge of
and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture
and history. Winegrowers, winemakers and wine enthusiasts combine to form
the membership. The common focus is the preservation and recognition of
Zinfandel as America’s Heritage Wine.
35
Rare Zinfandel
WALKABOUT
Truett-Hurst Winery
2006 Red Rooster, Dry Creek Valley
Healdsburg • (707) 433-9545
TruettHurst.com
Valdez Family Winery
2005 Rockpile, Sonoma County
Geyserville • (707) 894-3710
ValdezFamilyWinery.com
Overview
It is my pleasure to welcome you to our 18th Annual Zinfandel Festival.
"Unmask Your Passion" reflects our enthusiasm for America's Heritage Wine—
Zinfandel. Unmask Your Passion is about our delight when we discover a
Zinfandel new to us or taste a barrel sample from the latest vintage of one of
our favorite wineries. "Unmask Your Passion" also reveals the personalities of
Zinfandel—bold and celebratory, independent and unpretentious, refined and
elegant, versatile and diverse. Zinfandel's true nature is sure to expose itself to
you during the four days of Zinfandel events.
The Association of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) comprises an
incomparable community of growers and wineries producing Zinfandel, as well
as the advocates who enjoy it. Through ZAP’s Heritage Projects, the association actively supports Zinfandel research and preservation. We are also proud
to support the wine program at the City College of San Francisco Culinary
Arts & Hospitality department and to offer scholarships at the college for
students who are pursuing advanced wine education.
As ZAP brings together Zinfandel enthusiasts or those just beginning to
indulge in the splendor of Zinfandel, we continue to create new ways to serve
our members and the public. Have you visited ZinWorld lately at ZAP’s
Zinfandel.org website? ZinWorld now has enhanced maps and calendars featuring events, wine bars, wine shops and restaurants, in addition to the extensive listings of ZAP member wineries and wines. Locate the Zinfandels you
tasted at the Festival. Make new friends, post your favorite recipes or photos
and continue to nurture your Zinfandel passion throughout the year.
Our Zinfandel Festival is made possible thanks to the significant contributions from many individuals and organizations. ZAP owes a debt of gratitude
to the hundreds of volunteers—advocate and winery members alike—who
spent months preparing for these events. We also wish to recognize our
sponsors who play a significant roll contributing to ZAP. Along with the
generous support of our winery, grower, associate and advocate members,
their enthusiastic devotion makes this Festival possible.
On behalf of everyone at ZAP, thank you for your support. We hope these
events inspire you to unmask your passion for America’s Heritage Wine—
Zinfandel—now and throughout the year. Cheers!
Rebecca Robinson, ZAP Executive Director
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3
Thanks to our
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
The Zinfandel Festival is made possible with the
generous support of our many Sponsors.
Please take a few minutes to note their names and
read their ads. You may want to save this program for
reference when making your purchasing decisions.
Rare Zinfandel
WALKABOUT
Spelletich Cellars
2005 “Vineyard 1869,” Amador County
Calistoga • (707) 775-8596
SpellWine.com
ANGELS’ VISITS AND PROTECTOR SPONSORS
OFFICIAL BANK
OFFICIAL SHIPPER
Starry Night Winery
2005 Montafi Vineyard, Old Vine, Russian River Valley
Novato • (415) 884-9866
StarryNightWinery.com
Alameda Magazine /Oakland Magazine
Terra d'Oro
1999 SHR Field Blend, Sierra Foothills (Magnums)
Plymouth CA 95669-9511 • (209) 245-6942
Montevina.com
CALIFORNIA
GLASS
OFFICIAL
ACCOUNTANTS
4
OFFICIAL ZAP GLASS
OFFICIAL COFFEE
OFFICIAL WATER
33
Rare Zinfandel
WALKABOUT
Saddleback Cellars
2005 Scout's Honor, Napa Valley
Oakville • (707) 944-1305
SaddlebackCellars.com
Saucelito Canyon
2006 1880 Old Vine Estate, Arroyo Grande Valley
San Luis Obispo • (805) 543-2111
SaucelitoCanyon.com
Scott Harvey Winery
2005 "Vineyard 1869," Amador County
St. Helena • (707) 968-9575
ScottHarveyWines.com
32
5
City College of San Francisco
Culinary Arts &
Hospitality Studies
City College of San Francisco’s Culinary Arts & Hospitality
Studies offers a two-year Associate in Science Degree.The program
is designed to prepare students for employment in a wide range
of careers providing the public with food, service, and/or lodging.
The Department has graduated over 4,000 students and boasts
an on-going enrollment of 200 students from around the world.
It is the oldest hospitality program in the country and the oldest
program of any kind emphasizing culinary arts.
Founded in 1936, the school was initially located in the
basement of Galileo High School, with a student body of twelve.
From there it moved to the basement of the City College campus
on Phelan Avenue. During World War II, it moved to quonset huts
opposite the campus, where it trained Navy cooks and merchant
mariners. Its first permanent home, Smith Hall, welcomed students
in 1955. Statler Wing was built adjacent to Smith Hall in 1963.
The current facilities in Smith Hall and Statler Wing are
now home to a grill, cafeteria, and fine dining restaurant. The three
restaurants provide students, staff, and visitors with more than
500 meals a day. The Culinary Arts & Hospitality program boasts
four kitchens, a bake shop, a hotel-style storeroom, three lecture
rooms, a lecture/demonstration auditorium, and the renowned
Alice Statler Library and Gifford Resource Center. The full-time
faculty consists of six Chef Instructors, three Management
Instructors, an Advisor, Librarian, and Department Chair, as well as
adjunct faculty, and instructors from other departments on campus.
Job placement assistance is provided to all the students.
Each semester, well-known, growing companies recruit CA&H
students on campus. Students have taken internships at Bay Area
restaurants such as Gary Danko, La Folie, and the Ritz-Carlton.
Graduates have accepted jobs at such distinguished restaurants as
the French Laundry, in Yountville, California.
Rare Zinfandel
WALKABOUT
Ravenswood
1989 Cooke Vineyard, Sonoma Valley (Magnums)
Sonoma • (707) 933-2332
RavenswoodWinery.com
Ridge Vineyards
1999 Geyserville, Sonoma County
Cupertino • (408) 867-3233
RidgeWine.com
Rosenblum Cellars
2005 Cullinane Reserve, Sonoma Valley
Alameda • (510) 865-7007
RosenblumCellars.com
ZAP is proud to collaborate with City College on our Flights! event.
6
31
Rare Zinfandel
Flights!
WALKABOUT
City College of San Francisco
Culinary Arts & Hospitality Studies
Pellegrini Family Vineyards
Ocean Ave. Campus, 50 Phelan Ave., San Francisco
2006 Eight Cousins Vineyard, Russian River Valley
CONTENTS
Santa Rosa • (800) 891-0244
PellegriniSonoma.com
Tannis Reinhertz
Perry Creek Winery
2005 Altitude:2401, Fairplay Farms Vineyards, El Dorado
Fairplay • (530) 620-5175
PerryCreek.com
Rancho Zabaco Winery
2006 Toreador, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
Healdsburg
RanchoZabaco.com
30
A Showcase of Zinfandels
Culinary Arts & Hospitality
Studies Department
City College of San Francisco
A graduate of the Culinary
Arts & Hospitality Studies
Department, Ms. Reinhertz
holds a B.A. in management
from St. Mary’s College in
Moraga and a Masters of
Education from San Francisco
State University. Additionally,
she brings over 20 years of Bay
Area restaurant experience to
the classroom.
Tannis’ twenty year hospitality career includes positions
as sous chef, maitre’d, restaurant manager, and wine buyer
in several fine restaurants and
restaurant companies in the
Bay Area. She continues to
remain involved in the industry, working as a consultant,
specializing in restaurant startups, service training,
and wine education.
SESSION 1
Zin Loves Company...
Zinfandel & Its Friends ...............................10
Scott Harvey Scott Harvey Wines..................11
Ryan Zepaltas Novy Family Wines ................12
Christian Tietje Four Vines Winery ..............13
Will Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel ..........14
Ulises Valdez Valdez Family Winery ..............15
Mike Lamborn Lamborn Family Winery........16
SESSION 2
Blending with the Masters...
You are "Winemaker for a Day" ..............18
Barbara Spelletich Spelletich Cellars .............19
Josh Beckett Peach Canyon Winery...............20
SESSION 3
Rare Zinfandel Tasting Walkabout ............21
Wine Tasting Tips ........................................22
Wineries and Wines .....................................23
ZAP Associates, Board of Directors,
Acknowledgements ......................................35
Join ZAP! .......................................................36
VOLUNTEER LEADS
Jackie Gorman, Shawn Gorman
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR
City College of San Francisco
Culinary Arts & Hospitality Studies
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Jackie Gorman and Shawn Gorman
for writing the program
Christopher Sawyer
for providing wine notes and technical data
ALSO THANKS to 2009 Speakers
7
Rare Zinfandel
EVENT MODERATOR
WALKABOUT
Novy Winery
2006 Barbieri Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Santa Rosa • (707) 578-3882
NovyFamilyWines.com
Christopher
Sawyer
“Sommelier To The Stars”
Sonoma native
Christopher Sawyer is an
internationally-renowned
sommelier, wine journalist, consultant, critic, and
public speaker. He has
been a private sommelier
to the likes of Gordon
Getty and Oscar-winning
Pixar Director John
Lasseter, as well as a wine
consultant for an impressive roster of private
clientele, including
Mikeal and Raisa
Gorbachev, Jerry Brown,
and George Lucas.
Christopher Sawyer
travels around the globe
following trends in wine
and participating as a
judge in international
wine competitions.
Christopher has a growing legion of fans among
wine lovers and industry
8
insiders around the
world. He has been featured in a wide array of
national media including
USA Today, MSN,
NBC, ABC, CNN,
Redbook, Maxim,
National Geographic
Traveler and Esquire.
Christopher is currently sommelier-in-residence at the Carneros
Bistro & WineBar at
The Lodge at Sonoma
Renaissance Resort and
Spa, and is the recipient
of many prestigious
awards and industry honors. He is also co-founder
of WineRadius.com.
Contact
Christopher Sawyer
Journalist/Sommelier
205 San Antonio Road
Petaluma, CA. 94952
Mobile: 707.338.0524
Email: [email protected]
Opolo Vineyards
2005 Mountain, West Side Paso Robles
Paso Robles • (805) 371-0101
opolo.com
Peachy Canyon Winery
2005 Snow Vineyard, Paso Robles
Paso Robles • (805) 237-1577
peachycanyon.com
29
Rare Zinfandel
WALKABOUT
Michael-David Winery
2006 Gluttony, Lodi
Session
1
Lodi • (209) 368-7384
lodivineyards.com
Minassian-Young Vineyards
2006 Baily Vineyard, Paso Robles
Paso Robles • (805) 238-7571
MinassianYoung.com
Moss Creek Winery
1998 Wappo Camp Vineyard, Napa Valley (Magnums)
Napa • (707) 252-1295
MossCreekWinery.com
28
Z in Loves Company
Zinfandel & Its Friends
Zinfandel winemaking
Unmask your passion for the art of
ns of Zinfandel produced.
and taste some of the finest selectio
kers a wide range of
The Zinfandel grape offers winema
is steeped in blending
flavor profiles, and Zinfandel history
nia plantings, growers
tradition. From the earliest Califor
of different grape
added to the vineyard "field blends"
of their Zinfandel wines.
varietals to enhance the character
blending techniques
Discover the different varietals and
fandels.
used by our experts to craft their Zin
How do winemakers do that?
g magic,
Is it just the grapes, is it winemakin
or a combination of both?
Decide for yourself in this
exciting session.
9
Session 1
Zin Loves Company...
Zinfandel & Its Friends
Some Questions for the panelists may include:
History
Rare Zinfandel
WALKABOUT
Lamborn Family
2005 Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
Oakville • (925) 254-0511
Lamborn.com
Why did the original Zinfandel plantings include other grape varieties?
What other grape varieties were available at that time and
where did they come from?
Are these varieties available now?
Are “field blends” still planted? Why or why not?
Winemaking and the Vineyard
Mantra Wines
What is a “field blend.”
20056 Old Vine Reserve, Alexander Valley
What do other grape varieties bring to crafting Zinfandel and
why do you choose to blend with other grapes?
Healdsburg • (707) 529-3329
MantraWines.com
What influence does winemaking play?
How do you decide on what quantities to use of other grape varieties?
Do certain grapes impart certain characteristics, such as
brightness, structure, color, etc.?
What expression of terroir does blending produce?
Is the terroir diminished or enhanced and in what way?
How do you maintain “place” with blending and express the
best characteristics of the vineyard?
Is expressing the characteristics of the vineyard important to you?
Why would you blend if the expression of the vineyard is the
“true” grape/vineyard character?
Marr Cellars
2001 Mattern Ranch, Old Vine, Mendocino County
Davis • (530) 750-7855
MarrCellars.com
Do you agree with the vineyard 75% legal varietal designation?
Does it give you “freedom” as a winemaker, or put another way,
what limitations does that present?
Why did you choose or not choose to blend?
10
27
Rare Zinfandel
WALKABOUT
Four Vines Winery
2003 Sophisticate, Sonoma County
Paso Robles• (805) 227-0865
FourVines.com
Gnarly Head Cellars
2007 Gnarlier Head, Barrel Sample, Fall Creek, Dry Creek Valley
Manteca • (707) 265-1700
GnarlyHead.com
Haywood Estates
1999 Los Chamizal Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
Sonoma • (707) 996-4298
haywoodwinery.com
26
Scott Harvey
Owner/Winemaker
Scott Harvey Wines
Scott Harvey Wines
5225 Solano Ave.
Napa, CA. 94558
(707) 968-9575
scottharveywines.com
Scott Harvey grew up
in California‘s Sierra
Foothills region. He
later developed a keen
interest in winemaking
as a high school
exchange student in the
Rhineland Pfalz region
of Germany. Scott
attended California
State University at
Sacramento before
beginning practical
enology training at
Montevina Winery in
Amador County. He
apprenticed at K. FitzRitter Winery while
attending the Weinbau
Schule in Neustadt,
Germany. Returning to
Montevina Winery,
Scott focused on all
aspects of winemaking
and running a winery.
In 1978, at the age of
twenty-three, Scott took
over as Head
Winemaker for Story
Winery, also in Amador
Scott Harvey 2005
“Vineyard 1869”
Zinfandel
Amador County
County. In 1979 Scott
became Winemaker and
General Manager of
Santino Winery. In
1996, Scott was recruited as “Partner,
Winemaker &
President” for newly
purchased, Folie a Deux
Winery in Napa Valley.
His creation, the
“Menage a Trois” line of
wines, was an instant
commercial success. In
2004, Scott was finally
positioned and ready to
start his own venture,
and he had the ideal
partner, his wife, Jana, a
wine industry veteran.
The Scott Harvey
line focuses on Scott’s
roots - Zinfandel, Syrah,
and Barbera from the
Sierra’s. He has hit his
stride with his new
mantra - “Scott Harvey
Wines, it’s time! Stay
tuned - this is just the
beginning.”
Produced 100% from
136 year-old vines at the
Harvey Vineyard known
as “Vineyard 1869”,
America’s oldest Zinfandel
vineyard documented as
existing in 1869. These
ancient head-pruned vines
are dry-farmed and fully
express the greatness of
Amador’s Zin-centric
terroir.
Taste Profile
Deep raspberry, allspice,
cloves and cinnamon,
balanced with a fleshy
center and hints of coffee,
leather, bright red currants, old-fashion spices
and rustic, briary flair. 17
months in French oak.
Ancient vine complexity
and first growth quality.
Alcohol 14.5%
Production 190 cases
Price $38 per bottle
11
Rare Zinfandel
Ryan Zepaltas
Assistant Winemaker
Novy Family Wines
980 Airway Ct., Ste. C.
Santa Rosa, CA. 95403
(707) 578-3882
Fax (707) 578-3884
novyfamilywines.com
WALKABOUT
Dogwood Cellars
2003 Mendocino County
Healdsburg • (707) 473-0301
DogwoodCellars.com
Adam Lee
Winemaker/Proprietor
Ryan Zepaltas moved
to California from his
home state, Wisconsin,
in 1998 with no
intention of being
involved in the wine
industry. Through a
friend, he hooked up a
harvest cellar job at La
Crema Winery. He took
the job because he had
moved to California
with $400 in his pocket,
and after two weeks, he
was flat broke. It didn’t
take long to pique his
interest in the art of
winemaking. Ryan
learned all the cellar
basics at La Crema and
after two years, he
headed to New Zealand
to work for famous
Sauvignon Blanc
producer, Villa Maria
Winery. At Villa Maria,
Ryan began to take
winemaking more
12
seriously and knew that
that was what he
wanted to be doing.
Upon returning to the
states, he helped at
several wineries while
looking for permanent
placement at a small,
quality based winery.
In 2000 after interviewing with Adam and
Dianna Lee, owners and
winemakers at Siduri
and Novy Wines, Ryan
was asked to come on
board. He has worked
there as Assistant
Winemaker for 8 years.
Ryan also produces
his own wines under his
own label, Zepaltas
Wines.
Novy Family 2006
Papera Ranch Zinfandel
Russian River Valley
Planted in 1934 by
Charley (Carlo) Papera,
the old vines on the ranch
are 95 percent Zinfandel;
but one special block used
in this blend contains
“mixed blacks”—primarily
Carignane and smaller
portions of Syrah, Petite
Sirah, and Valdiguié.
Taste Profile
Stimulating aromas of
raspberry and black cherry
fruit. The flavor profile
includes rich layers of red
and black fruit with hints
of herbs and great levels of
natural acidity to keep this
hedonistic wine in check.
Alcohol 15.7%
Production 97 cases
Price $33 per bottle
Edmeades
2006 Ciapusci Vineyard, Mendocino Ridge
Redwood Valley • (800) 994-2454
edmeades.com
Fanucchi Vineyards
2005 Old Vine, Russian River Valley
Fulton • (707) 526-3219
FanucchiVineyards.com
25
Rare Zinfandel
WALKABOUT
Bucklin Winery
2005 Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley
Glen Ellen • (707) 933-1726
BuckZin.com
CalStar
2006 Alta Zin, El Dorado County
Santa Rosa • (707) 544-5201
CalstarCellars.com
D-Cubed Winery
2005 Brown Vineyard, Napa Valley
St. Helena • (707) 963-5212
DCubedCellars.com
24
Christian Tietje
Owner/Winemaker
Four Vines Winery
7300 N. River Rd.
Paso Robles, CA. 93446
(805) 227-0865
Fax (805) 227-0863
fourvines.com
At age sixteen
Christian Tietje began
received a lot of training
in both food and wine
while working in restaurants in Maine. After
graduating from the
University of Massachusetts with a degree in
Economics he started
taking chemistry classes
because of his growing
interest in winemaking.
Christian began working
in Napa at Carneros
Creek Winery. After his
second 14 hour day at
the winery, and while
looking over the hills of
Carneros under a huge
orange harvest moon,
he realized that this is
what he wanted to do
with his life.
Christian went to
U.C. Davis and just
took basic winemaking
classes to “fill in the
holes specific to winemaking.” Ultimately
though, Christian
credits cooking as being
his greatest teacher.
“Winemaking is building
flavors and designing a
final flavor profile and
building my palate has
evolved in the kitchen.
Making great wine starts
in the vineyard with
great fruit and I build
flavors from there.”
Christian started
making his own wine in
1993 and started the
Four Vines project in
1996. They specialize in
Old Vine Zinfandel from
four top Zinfandel
Appellations in
California: Napa,
Sonoma, Paso Robles
and Amador (Sierra
Foothills).
Four Vines 2006
“The Biker” Zinfandel
Paso Robles
From Westside Paso
Robles, the fruit in this
blend comes from the Dusi
and Preston vineyards.
These historic sites feature
calcareous soils, low yielding vines and intensive
fruit concentration. A
small percentage of
Mourvedre adds more
depth to the finished wine.
Taste Profile
Lavish aromas of blackberry,
anise and vanilla. Powerful
flavors of black fruit, spice
and vanilla oak on the
finish. Working motto:
“Take no prisioners!”
Alcohol 15.7%
Production 3,500 cases
Price $24 per bottle
13
Rare Zinfandel
VINTAGE 2006 • SONOMA VALLEY
Will Bucklin
Vintner, Bucklin,
Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel
Old Hill Ranch
8, Old Hill Ranch Road
Glen Ellen, CA 95442
(707) 933-1726
Fax (707) 938-9169
[email protected]
Lucky for Will
Bucklin, his godparents
were enophiles. His
first birthday gift was a
bottle of 1961 Chateau
Lafite Rothschild, and
they gave him a bottle
of wine each year until
his 21st birthday. And
what a birthday it was!
Will studied enology
at U. C. Davis. Upon
his graduation in 1985,
he traveled to France
for an internship at
Chateau Lafite Rothschild. He later worked
in Australia at Thomas
Hardy and Sons, and
then in Mendocino at
Navarro Winery. Will
moved to Oregon in
1992 to become wine-
14
maker for King Estate
Winery. In 2000, at
the insistence of his
brother Ted, who was
managing both family
businesses, Oak Hill
Farm and Old Hill
Ranch, Will moved
back to California.
He lived on Old Hill
Ranch, managed the
vineyard, and helped
found the family
winery.
Will does intend to
drink the 1961 Lafite
someday.
2006 Old Hill Ranch
Zinfandel
Sonoma Valley
Established in 1852 near the
historic town of Glen Ellen,
the Old Hill Ranch is one of
California’s oldest vineyards.
This wine is produced from a
certified organic, dry-farmed
field-blend planted on the
property in the 1880s. The
vineyard is a mosaic of over
two dozen grape varieties —
principally Zinfandel, but
also Grenache, Alicante
Bouchet, Petite Sirah,
Mourvedre, Syrah, Carignane
and Tempranillo, to name a
few. All are blended together
in this wine.
Taste Profile
Old Hill Zin is known for
its herbal complexity. The
spice character of the
2006 vintage leans towards
lavender, eucalyptus and
cardamom. The fruit components offer an impressive
array of cherries, blackberries,
and ripe plums. The French
oak contributes toast and
vanilla aromas while the
tannins are very ripe and
smooth on the finish.
Alcohol 15.7%
Production 870 cases
Price $34 per bottle
WALKABOUT
Alderbrook Winery
2006 Wagon Wheel, Dry Creek Valley
Healdsburg • (707) 433-1000
drycreekvineyard.com
Robert Biale Vineyards
2006 Monte Rosso Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
Napa • (707) 257-7555
RobertBialeVineyards.com
Blaauwklippen Vineyards, South Africa
2004 BVS, South Africa
Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
blaauwklippen.co.ZA
23
Wine Tasting Tips
ZAP events are non-smoking and fragrance-free.
We appreciate your cooperation.
Eat while attending this wine tasting. Your body will thank you for it.
Ulises Valdez
Valdez 2005
Rockpile Road Zinfandel
Rockpile
Owner/Winemaker
Valdez Family Winery
P.O. Box 157
Geyserville, CA. 95441
(707) 894-3710
valdezfamilywinery.com
Be courteous to others who wish to taste.
Please step back from the tasting table to do your personal evaluation.
Others can then step forward to receive a sample of the wine.
Step to the side to talk with the winemaker or winery representative.
Swirl the wine around in the glass.
Look at the color and smell the aromas.
Take a sip (small if swallowing, larger if spitting) and
consider the flavors and the after taste.
Empty your glass into the containers provided for the purpose,
located on the tasting tables.
Rinse your glasses with water before tasting the next wine.
Drink water or eat bread at the time to clear your palate.
Ask questions and enjoy your conversations.
Be safe.
Limit the amount you drink if you are driving.
Designate a driver or use public transportation.
Thank you!
Plan to taste with a few goals in mind:
Follow the terroir trail: Taste wines made from every growing region.
Discover the wines of new ZAP members.
Seek out styles to fit every part of your life:
Stand alone Zins,
Zins for meals,
Zins for the outdoors or take-out food, dinner parties or grand receptions,
Zins for dessert or sipping slowly while you’re curled up reading by a fire.
In the mood for Chinese, Italian, Indian, Mexican or Greek?
Set out to find specific Zins to match the flavors you love to eat.
Engage and talk with the growers and winemakers (that’s why we’re here!)
Write notes all over your program and plan to visit your favorites, soon.
Ulises Valdez grew up
in Los Cuachalalates, a
tiny village in Mexico.
He arrived in Sonoma
County in 1985 at 16
years old. 24 years later,
Ulises has gone from a
field worker to a highly
sought after, premium
wine grape grower, to
a winemaker himself.
Ulises’ passion for the
land and his commitment to family are
evident in every aspect
of his life.
Ulises’ vineyard
management business
farms 35 Sonoma
County sites in several
appellations. He has
built a reputation for
meeting high expectations and is currently
responsible for about
800 planted acres.
Ulises sells much of the
fruit from his properties
to top producers, but
he also keeps fruit for
his own brand, Valdez
Family Winery, which
he launched in 2004.
Valdez has longrange plans and intends
to ratchet back on the
vineyard management
to focus on his brand
and the vineyards he
leases. He hopes that
the winery becomes a
true family business
and that his four children will be involved
after completing
college.
“I feel lucky,” Valdez
says. “When I look at
where I came from and
where I am now, I just
think ‘Ay, caramba.’“
Located in northern Sonoma
County, the Rockpile appellation is defined by elevation
(800 ft and above), shallow
rocky soils, hot days and cool
breezes at night. The specialty clone of Zinfandel used in
the region was taken from a
tiny patch of ancient vines
planted at the St. Peters'
Catholic Church in Cloverdale. Farmed by Ulises Valdez
and Jack Florence Jr. since
the early 90's, the quality of
this classic old clone was
rediscovered and made into
a series of thought-provoking
reserve zinfandel wines by
Kent Rosenblum of Rosenblum Cellars. To continue
this tradition, at the isolated
Rockpile Road Vineyard,
Valdez added a classic “field
blend” combination of Petite
Sirah and Alicante Bouschet
while preserving the gnarly
old vine zinfandel block on
the property.
Taste Profile
Made by with 60% French
and 40% American oak, this
rustic-style red wine features
powerful wild berry, cracked
black pepper and meaty aromas, with concentrated flavors of ripe blackberry, sage
and licorice. The end result is
a delicious Zin with a classic
hint of old fashion attitude!
Alcohol 16.7%
Production 576 cases
Price $38 per bottle
15
Session
3
Mike Lamborn
Owner
Lamborn Family Vineyards
120 Village Square Suite #13
Orinda, CA. 94563
(925) 254-0511, Fax 954-4531
lamborn.com
Mike Lamborn’s
father first bought land
on Howell Mountain in
the late 1960’s. The
property had a remnant
Zinfandel vineyard dating back 100+ years
which hadn’t been
tended since
Prohibition. This was
the initial inspiration
for becoming a winegrower.
In 1973, Mike and
his wife, Terry, relocated
and purchased undeveloped land within walking distance of his
father’s land. In those
days there was very little grape activity on
Howell Mountain, with
the exception of a small
group of growers, and
even fewer producers.
They began planting
Lamborn Family
16
Lamborn 2006
Serendipity Zinfandel
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley
Vineyards in 1979 and
by 1983 were farming
13 acres of Zinfandel.
Their first commercial
vintage was in 1983,
produced by Kent
Rosenblum. Interestingly
enough, it was White
Zinfandel. In 1987 they
moved winemaking to
the mountain and moved
again in 1994 to the
Napa Wine Company
in Oakville, where they
remain today.
“We did not come
from an agricultural
background, nor did we
have any formal training in viticulture. We
learned to farm the hard
way, ‘on-the-job’.”
The Lamborns currently farm four acres
of Zinfandel which
were originally planted
in 1981.
The Lamborn Family Vineyards is located at 2,200 feet
above sea level. The mountain's volcanic soil combined
with its distinct mezzo climate provides ideal growing
conditions for this small 8
acre vineyard to produce fruit
with layers of intensity.
Taste Profile
"Driven by this lavish wine
of deep purple hue is a nose
heavy with opulent Howell
Mountain fruit, accented by
a delicate spice and vanilla
character. Fruit layers of raspberry, black cherry, and plum
fuse with a more pronounced
pepper/spice component on
the palate, resulting in a
complex wine with a wonderful elegance. Exhibiting a
finer, more exquisite flavor
profile than its predecessor,
this wine is well-structured
throughout with good length
on the finish."
Heidi Barrett, Winemaker,
Lamborn Family Wines
Alcohol 15.5%
Production 901 cases
Price $41 per bottle
Ra re Z in fa n d e l
Ta st in g
WALKABOUT
Featuring over 30 exceptional wines
events.
not to be poured at the other Festival
Discuss these wines with the
winemaker and principals from the
participating wineries.
Think of it as having your very own
intimate version of the Saturday
Grand Zinfandel Tasting.
21
NOTES:
MODERATOR
Josh Beckett
Owner/Winemaker
Peach Canyon
Peachy
Canyon
2025 Nacimiento Lake Drive
Paso Robles
(805) 237-1577
peachycanyon.com
Josh Beckett, born
to winemaking parents, grew up in the
city of Paso Robles
working harvests,
crushing grapes, and
learning from some
of the very best winemakers about wine,
and how it was made.
Yet he left the Central
Coast for the beaches
of San Diego. Josh
received a degree in
English from the
University of San
Diego. At the time, he
did not see the opportunity that he had left
behind. That oppor-
20
tunity was Peachy
Canyon Winery,
owned by his parents.
He found his way
back. Now, at 34 years
old, he is the winemaker at Peachy
Canyon, overseeing
production of 84,000
cases, managing 65
acres of estate grapes,
and working with
25 local growers.
He has made some
changes and taken the
wines back to their
roots. Josh experiments with native
yeasts, concrete fermenters, and large
format barrels. The
wines once again
represent a return to
handcrafted, handson production. Josh
loves harvest, imagining the future of his
wines and how they
are going to be created. At the same time,
he won’t let you forget
that his heart is also
at home in Morro Bay
with his wife and two
young daughters, a
block from the surf.
Session
2
Wines for the Blending Session
Provided courtesy of Lodi Woodbridge Winegrape Commission LodiWine.com
The Lodi grape growing region is nestled between the Sierra Foothills and the
San Francisco Bay Delta. Lodi has a long proud history of producing Zinfandel
dating back to the late 1800’s
100% Zinfandel “base” Wine St. Amant, Mohr-Fry Ranch
Blending Wines Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, Carignane
MODERATOR
B le n d in g w it h
th e M a st e rs
You are "Winemaker for a Day"
question.
To blend or not to blend, that is the
f!
rsel
Try it for you
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for
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utilized in
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18
Barbara Spelletich
Owner/Winemaker
Spelletich Cellars
195 Edgewood Place
Angwin, CA. 94508
(707) 965-0952
spellwine.com
Barbara has over 25
years experience in the
wine industry from
Washington State
through Bordeaux, Italy,
Germany, Spain, and
Portugal. Her background has included
retail experience, working for St. Michelle
Winery and G. Raden &
Sons. Her international
experience began when
she established Zephyr
Imports, an importing
and distributing company
of fine wine. Barbara
began traveling to
Europe annually to find
new wineries and to set
up containers for export.
Working for Whitwhams
International Fine Wine
Shippers based in
England and Bordeaux,
shaped her next evolution to a negotiant of
Cru Classe, followed by
courses at UC Davis.
Today Barbara continues to educate herself
to pursue something
larger and more elusive,
to go beyond the traditional, and not have the
boundaries of rules and
textbooks.
Barbara and her husband Timothy established Spelletich Cellars
in 1994. This came from
their common interest in
wine, food, cooking, and
entrepreneurial drive.
The nucleus is Napa
Valley fruit from small
vineyard sources. There
is a partnership with
each farmer to grow the
best grapes possible, with
minimal intervention.
Focusing upon three
basic principles: harvest
at physiological ripeness,
press when necessary,
and never too much oak.
Barbara and Timothy are
living their American
dream and are delighted
to share their passion
through Spelletich
Cellars Family Winery.
19