Lovely aromatics of freshly ground spices sprinkled over ripe mixed berries and coffee notes. The silken entry showcases the dark, rich, complex flavors—blackberry, plum, mocha and chocolate with layers of spice. Deep, concentrated and intense, the Bernier Zinyard fruit offers another delicious perspective on this multifaceted varietal. Pair with grilled duck, a venison roast or a garden-fresh ratatouille.

Zinyard Notes Why call it a Zinyard? Originally Paul and Yael Bernier planted only Zinfandel on the hillside behind their house off of Canyon Road in northern Dry Creek Valley. Like many of the early Italian immigrant growers, they planted a small block of Petite Sirah alongside the Zin.

Although the Zinfandel vines were planted in 1990, the Bernier Zinyard makes old-time growers feel they are walking into the past when they stroll among the vines. It is a traditional dry-farmed, head-trained (non-trellised) vineyard with Italo Sbragio’s old clone Zin grafted on to St. George rootstock. That combination embodies the very roots of Dry Creek Valley viticulture and reflects Peterson Winery’s values of savoring and embracing time-honored traditions.