The Hot Spots for Zinfandel

Where are the best spots to grow Zinfandel? Here's a look at the top growing areas, or American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).

Croatian "Zinfandel"
image from Wine Enthusiast

Background 

Zinfandel is a clone of Primitivo, meaning they are genetic mutations of the same grape. Primitivo is found primarily in the Puglia region of southern Italy. Both are traced back to an obscure grape from Croatia, the unpronounceable Crljenak Kaštelanski. It's something like surl-YEN-ack cas-tuh-LON-skee.

The first mention of the name Zinfandel was in New York in 1832. By the 1850s it was growing in California, and that is its home today. It is the fourth most planted grapes in the state. You can find small amounts of Zinfandel or Primitivo in other states and countries.

Zinfandel grows well in a sunny, dry location with warm-to-hot days and significant overnight cooling to keep a good sugar/acid balance. Many areas of California are perfect for growing it. The following are the primary regions in California for premium Zinfandel.

 

A few Amador Zinfandels & Primitivos

Amador County

In the central Sierra Foothills, with the Shenandoah Valley as the main AVA. The Zin characteristics are intense and bold, with raspberries and spice. Growing climate is hot, though not as hot as the Central Valley, it's very dry with lots of sun.

Lodi 

In San Joaquin County of the Central Valley the Lodi area produces more Zin than any other area of the state, including some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in the state. Much of what they grow goes to White Zinfandel. The typical red Zinfandel is ripe, soft, and lush due to the daytime heat. Lodi is a sweet spot for Zin in the hot Central Valley due to cooling later afternoon and evening breezes coming in off the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the west.

Napa County 

Napa isn't all about Cabernet! Zinfandel often grows up valley in the warmer areas of St. Helena and Calistoga. Howell Mountain is a great spot. Generally, higher elevations are where you find it because of volcanic soils and more sun.  Napa Zins are dense with dark fruit and spice. Some are more Cabernet-like, such as Rombauer, some show finesse, as Storybook Mountain.

Paso Robles

Paso is in Central California's San Luis Obispo County. Hot summer days with cool nights give full-bodied, black fruit Zinfandel with good acids and high alcohols. 

Sonoma County

Other than along the cool coast, you'll find Zinfandel everywhere in the county. Sonoma is the second largest county in Zinfandel acreage, after Lodi. The key spots are: 

Alexander Valley has a relatively hotter climate and is more known for Cabernet Sauvignon. The Zins are big, full-bodied, with dark fruit and spices.

Dry Creek Valley has the perfect climate of warm, sunny days and cool nights producing fruity, briary Zins with bright acidity and soft tannins. This is the sweet spot for premium Zinfandel, with Zin houses like A. Rafanelli, Bella, Dry Creek Vineyards, Mauritson, Pedroncelli, Ridge/Lytton Springs, and Wilson.

Sonoma Valley has a moderately warm growing season. The Zinfandel is full-bodied, structured, spicy, earthy, and sometimes with firm tannins. The warmer center part of the valley in the Glen Ellen to Kenwood area are where you find most of the Zinfandel vineyards.  The Moon Mountain District is known for its iron-rich volcanic soil.

Rockpile is really an extension of Dry Creek Valley, up in the hills to the north. It is remote with rugged terrain and a lack of services. There are less than a dozen growers with about 150 acres of grapes, mostly Zinfandel and Cabernet. The Zinfandel is intense, robust, and structured.

Russian River Valley is generally cooler than any of the other places listed. There are warm spots in the more inland areas of RRV where Zin and even occasionally Cabernet are grown. The Zinfandel is lighter colored, with good acidity, elegance, balanced fruit and complexity. These are food-friendly Zinfandels.

Rockpile Vineyards in the Rockpile appellation