ZAP Zinfandel Festival / 17th @ San Francisco, CA

RECAP ON 2007 FESTIVAL - ESTIMATED 9,000 PEOPLE CELEBRATE ZAP’S 16TH TASTING/FESTIVAL

An estimated 9,000 people attended the 16th Anniversary Zinfandel Advocates & Producers Tasting on January 27 at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. 273 Zinfandel wineries poured at least one wine each, with a total field of wines available to taste approaching 550; the wines were primarily the 2004 vintage and barrel samples of the 2005. The complete list is at the bottom of the page, with the 36 wineries new to the Tasting italicized. A mariachi band greeted tasters at the entrances to the two pavilions, embodying the theme “Viva Zinfandel!” Two lines, of approximately 1,000 people each, lined up in front of the two pavilions before the tasting opened. More than 1,500 pounds of international cheeses and 8,000 half-loaves of French baguettes were consumed. More than 300 volunteers helped keep the event proceeding smoothly. Zinfandel Advocates & Producers has been told that this is the biggest single varietal (wine) event in the world and possibly also the largest single-varietal single-day wine event worldwide.

The Tasting is the only place where Zin aficionados can purchase the Heritage Vineyard Zinfandel; this year the 2004 vintage was available, made by Kent Rosenblum of Rosenblum Cellars. Each attendee received a commemorative wineglass (to use and keep) as well as a baguette upon entering. Logo’d merchandise and mixed cases of Zinfandels were available for purchase as well. Water, coffee, cheeses, breads and fruits were available throughout the two pavilions.

“The Festival was a smashing success and overall ZAP was able to show the diversity of Zinfandels being made today,” commented Justin Boeger of Boeger Winery and the President of the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers Board of Directors. “We heard over and over that we lived up to the theme ‘Viva Zinfandel!’ We now know that the Festival is a way to demonstrate how Zinfandel is such a unique grape and wine which thrives in so many different California growing regions,” he adds. “There is such a diversity of Zinfandel winemaking styles that it keeps people curious and enthusiastic in returning every year to the Festival,” he said. “The range of different events also contributes to our success---what other wine organization puts on four days of very different events which attracts different people to learn about one varietal?!” he commented.

“The Festival was a smashing success and overall ZAP was able to show the diversity of Zinfandels being made today,” commented Justin Boeger of Boeger Winery and the President of the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers Board of Directors. “We heard over and over that we lived up to the theme ‘Viva Zinfandel!’ The Festival is a great way to demonstrate how Zinfandel is such a unique grape and wine which thrives in so many different California growing regions,” he adds. “There is such a diversity of Zinfandel winemaking styles that it keeps people curious and enthusiastic in returning every year to our Festival,” he said. “The range of different events also contributes to our success---what other wine organization puts on four days of very different events which attracts different people to learn about one varietal?!” he commented.

“ZAP offers something unique: a chance to develop personal relationships between consumers and producers as well as providing an unparalleled opportunity to learn about Zinfandel,” Boeger adds.

“We now see how our popularity has become cumulative over the 16 years of the Festival,” explains Rebecca Robinson, ZAP’s Executive Director. “There are so many factors, which include Zinfandel being California’s heritage wine, recognized recently by both houses of the California state legislature as well as interest in new releases from wineries. Our sponsors add an entirely other dimension, whether bread, water, olive oil, chocolate, coffee, cheese,” she added.