Zinsiders, hear me out!

A $48 Dry Creek Zin for $25. That’s $23 back in your pocket on every bottle.

Everybody knows Dry Creek Valley Zins are bangers. Don’t take our word for it. Decanter accurately declares it’s “generally accepted to be the source of California’s finest Zinfandels.”

SF Chronicle confirms it’s “Zins sweet spot… not a large appellation but Dry Creek claims the highest concentration of first-tier Zinfandel producers of any region in California.”

Need names? Bedrock, Carlisle, A. Rafanelli, Ridge, Wilson, Seghesio, Nalle, Mauritson, Bella, Dashe… shall we go on?

So why haven’t you heard of Amista?

It flies under the radar a bit. When Dry Creek Vineyards is your next-door neighbor, that’s understandable.

The source of the fruit is hidden even better. Saini Farms sits right between Nalle and Mauritson, across the road from Singlethread. Blink and you’ll drive right past it on the Rodeo Drive of Zinfandel.

The Sainis are grooming their 5th generation for the vineyard. The family came from Genova, Italy, and has farmed here since 1917, when Great-Grandfather Michele Saini bought into the heart of Dry Creek Valley.

Their children, Si and Gene, took the vineyards to a whole other level. Gene planted Gene’s Block. Yes, that Gene’s Block.

Then winemaker Ashley Herzberg turns that legacy into the wine in your glass. Her resume is short and sharp. Mauritson first, then (surprise) Saini.

Merry Edwards and Greg La Follette mentored her. She consults for CAST and Bacigalupi, too.

The wine? Wine Enthusiast called a previous vintage “enormously rich and fruity.” Now stack the once-in-a-lifetime 2023 vintage on top of that.

This is what great Dry Creek Zin should be. Sleek, with charmingly pure, focused notes of wild bramble, black cherry, tilled earth, and festive vanilla spice. The flavors build richness and depth on a long finish.

Grilling season isn’t over yet. This is the $25 bottle that keeps everyone standing around the grill. Make sure you have enough.