The best Zins in California come from the Dry Creek Valley AVA. Today’s Phipps Family Cellars 2013 Sonoma County Ranches Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel is a very balanced wine, with equal measures fresh fruit, spice and dark earthiness. This food-friendly wine is a must-have for the coming BBQ season!

Most of the fruit in this wine was sourced from the Treborce Vineyard, which many will recognize. Andy’s Treborce Zin sets records each time we sell a new vintage. This wine, with its lower pricing, should be even more popular!

Oh, what an inviting, attractive nose on this Zin, with aromas of blackberry jam, cranberry, pomegranate, brown sugar, vanilla, mixed sweet spice, bramble, black tea, molasses and black pepper. Rich and softly fruit drive, this wine bursts with flavors of blackberry jam, cranberry, Bing cherry, brown sugar, vanilla, mixed sweet spice, bramble, black tea, molasses and black pepper.

The Dry Creek Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) in northeastern Sonoma (north of Healdsburg) county is somewhat warmer and wetter than the Russian River Valley AVA region just to the south and the Alexander Valley AVA just to the east. This warmer, wetter climate provides great versatility with regard to the types of grapes that can be effectively cultivated in the region.