Popular San Francisco event hosted by Zinfandel Advocates and Producers set for Jan 25-27 

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Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) will be toasting to 33 plus years of hosting Zinfandel Experience, more commonly referred to as ZinEX, in San Francisco, in late January 2024, with man residents expected to be making the trip down to the bay area to celebrate our local vineyards. 

ZinEX, one of the country’s preeminent and longest-running wine events, and surely the only one dedicated solely to Zinfandel, is set to again celebrate one of California’s most storied winegrapes. 

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Winemaker for nearby Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves and ZAP President, Brandon Lapides says, “ZinEX offers consumers the opportunity to have casual and friendly interactions with winemakers and proprietors.  There will be over 60 different Zinfandel winemakers at ZinEX’s Saturday tasting. If someone has a question about Zinfandel, we’re always excited talk about wine growing and making.”

All three days offer unique opportunities to experience Zinfandel alongside impassioned enthusiasts. Celebrate two institutions that have been around for 30 plus years, ZinEX and One Market Restaurant, at a VIP dinner you’ll rave about until next year’s ZinEX. Feel the passion of one of ZAP’s founders, Joel Peterson, as he once again guides a VIP seminar that will highlight Zinfandel history and illuminate its future. Get your workout in by raising your paddles (several times) for rare Zinfandel bottlings and lavish experiences at the Evening with the Winemakers Auction. 

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Finally, at the weekend’s main event, guests will meet the winemakers and taste the latest releases and reserve offerings at the most comprehensive showing of Zinfandels and Zin blends in the world. This is where the Zinfandel community comes together. A delicious selection of culinary bites will be presented by: 25 Lusk, Capo Creek, City College of San Francisco Culinary, Cocotutti (Heritage Lounge), Covenant Winery, Il Fuoco Wood Fired Pizza, Laurel Pine Living Luxury (Heritage Lounge), Mariani Dried Fruits, Michael’s Chocolates, Olive This Olive That, One Market Restaurant, Scoma’s, Sonoma Cake Creations, Barrel Room SF. Plus, a selection of artisan cheeses from: Bohemian Creamery, Champignon North America, and Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese. ZAP’s Heritage Lounge in One Market Restaurant is available to ZAP Heritage and Ambassador Club members and offers a chance to relax and enjoy special selections with winemakers dropping by throughout the day.

Thursday, January 25, 2024

5:30 p.m. – VIP Dinner | One Market Restaurant

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8-course Paired to Perfection menu featuring eight Zinfandels and their winemakers

Friday, January 26, 2024

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11:00 a.m.  – VIP Seminar moderated by Joel Peterson | Ferry Plaza Building

Great singles and pairs spotlighting three flights of three single vineyard wines each with winemakers or principals presenting

5:30 p.m. – Evening with the Winemakers & Auction | Klamath Ferry, sponsored by TricorBraun WinePak

Dazzling evening showcasing 13 winemakers and their wines. New venue at the Klamath Ferry for Evening with the Winemakers & Auction—ZAP’s biggest fundraiser of the year to support preservation, research, education and advocacy. 

Saturday, January 27, 2024

11:00 a.m. – Grand Tasting VIP | One Market Pavilion

12:00 p.m. – Special Appellations Tasting presented by Sonoma County Winegrowers

1:00 p.m. – Grand Tasting | One Market Pavilion

Information and tickets can be found at https://zinfandelexperience.com/

Ticket prices starting at: $89

Discounts for Members. Join when you purchase tickets.

VIP Packages: $3,395 for 2

Grand Tasting Participants to date (Local Wineries in Bold):

Alexander Valley Vineyards, BACA Wines, Bedrock Wine Company, Bella Vineyards, Calafia Wines, Cast Wines, Chase Cellars, Chateau Montelena, Covenant Wines, Dashe Cellars, David Clinton Wines, Corkwood Cellars, Dry Creek Vineyard, Easton Wines, Epoch Wines, Felline Accademia dei Racemi, Florence Vineyard, Glunz Family Winery, Green & Red Vineyard, Grgich Hills Estate, Hartford Family Winery, Hendry Wines, Howell Mountain Vineyards, Imagination Wine, J Dusi Winery, Jessup Cellars, Kokomo Winery, Kunde Family Winery, Lava Cap Winery, Limerick Lane Cellars, Macchia Wines, Martinelli Winery, Meadowcroft Wines, Miro Cellars, Muscardini Cellars, Myka Estates, Oak Ridge Winery, Once & Future Wine, Opolo Vineyards, Peachy Canyon Winery, Pedroncelli Winery, Perlegos Family Wine, Quivira Vineyards, Reichwage Winery, Ridge Vineyards, Robert Biale Vineyards, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Rombauer Vineyards, Rosenblum Cellars, Saddleback Cellars, Saracina Vineyards, Seghesio Family Vineyards, St. Amant Winery, St. Francis Winery, Terra d’Oro, Three Wine Company, Trentadue Winery, Tres Sabores, Turley Wine Cellars, V. Sattui Winery, Van Ruiten Winery, Vino Noceto, We Know Jack!, Williams Selyem, Wilson Winery/Matrix Winery, Winery STEF, Zialena Winery 

About Zinfandel Advocates & Producers:

Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) is a membership-based non-profit organization that advances knowledge and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history. ZAP exists to preserve and celebrate an important part of our heritage, highlighting the unique and wonderful characteristics of the grape that helped settle the west. Today, Zinfandel is recognized as a world class wine, grown in virtually every wine grape growing region of California. ZAP’s programs and outreach activities showcase the legacy and potential of Zinfandel’s unique contributions to the world of wine. For more information, please visit: https://zinfandelexperience.com/.

Michele Smith
Author: Michele Smith