Sonoma Zinfandel Producers to Look For

Chances are you aren't much of a zinfandel person if you live outside California because, unfortunately, most of the zins that make it into the distribution channels to your local stores are mediocre or, worse, pink.

Here are just a few of Sonoma County's zinfandel producers. They all make several different zins and usually all are quite good. They run all the styles from restrained to fruit bomb. What they all have in common is that they should be semi-easy to find in a local wine shop, but not likely in the grocery store. Are these the best? Well, I can't decide for you, but at least give some of these a try.

An old zinfandel vine

Armida
Bedrock
Bella
Carol Shelton
Deloach
Dry Creek Vineyards
Hartford
Martinelli
Pedroncelli
Ridge Lytton Springs
St. Francis
Seghesio
Trentadue
Quivira
Wilson

Of these Bella, Carol Shelton, Martinelli, and Wilson tend to be of the most fruit-forward style. 

 I've skipped a couple of the Sonoma County zins you're most likely to find -- Frei Brothers and Ravenswood (Gallo properties). While both make a few good zinfandels they aren't likely to be the ones you see at the store so I consider them risky purchases. The ones on my list are family-owned or at least owned by a small, local company.

In Sonoma County zins you can generally find one of three growing areas on the label: Dry Creek Vly, Sonoma Vly, or Russian River Vly. Less frequently you'll see Alexander Vly, Knights Vly, Moon Mtn, or Rockpile.

There are many more excellent zinfandels from the county that you'll probably only get to try by visiting the wineries. That list is long, but a few recommendations are A. Rafanelli, Limerick Lane, and Nalle. Also, the other producers listed above often make small batch zinfandels that don't make it out into the general marketplace.

Ridge, one of the top zinfandel producers

To show the wide selection and diversity here are the Sonoma County zin producers currently in my cellar: 
Bedrock, Foppiano, Hawley, Kenwood, Paradise Ridge, Rockpile, St. Francis, Scherrer, Stuhlmuller, and Williams Selyem. There are also many from Amador County and a few from Napa.

I hope you have a decent selection where ever you live as there's always a good reason to drink zinfandel whether it's with summer grilling or winter pasta and stews.