VIP Dinner, Seminar and Winemaker Dinner & Auction Plus, the Annual Grand Tasting
(January 3, 2024 – San Francisco, CA) Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) will be toasting to 33 plus years of hosting Zinfandel Experience, more commonly referred to as ZinEX, in San Francisco, CA, in late January 2024.
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. Winemaker for 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.
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
8-course Paired to Perfection menu featuring eight Zinfandels and their winemakers
Friday, January 26, 2024
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
Partial Sponsor list:
TricorBraun WinePak, Sonoma County Winegrowers, Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley, LodiWine
Grand Tasting Hospitality Suites:
Capo Creek Winery and Ridge Vineyards
Grand Tasting Participants to date:
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, 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, Limerick Lane Cellars, Macchia Wines, Martinelli Winery, Meadowcroft Wines, Miro Cellars, Muscardini Cellars, 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.
About ZAP’s Programs:
ZAP has successfully reached millions of consumers to discover he joys of Zinfandel, America’s heritage wine grape variety. ZAP’s various programs, most recently including: “Zinfandel Stories” and “Legendary Zinfandel Vineyards” were delivered to preserve, protect, and continue to grow Zinfandel, both in the fields of California and as a wine category. Zinfandeltrail.com encourages wine lovers to explore California and visit the beloved wineries around the state. ZAP’s latest campaign, “Zinfandel Live” tells the Zinfandel story through a series of engaging online episodes featuring the ultimate in Zinfandel pairings from seminars led by Emmy award-winning wine expert and Zin-fan, Leslie Sbrocco.
