1 Wine Dude

Win Tickets To The 2012 ZAP Festival In San Fran (And Decide What Zins I Review Next)!

Posted on by 1WineDude

Once again, I’m partnering with the venerable Zinfandel Advocates and Producers (ZAP) to get tickets to the next ZAP festival into your hands (for free)!

In what will be one of the biggest giveaways ever conducted on 1WD, TWO lucky randomly-chosen readers will each receive four event tickets for some of the ZAP 2012 shindigs in San Francisco (by way of two tickets to two separate ZAP events), meaning that you and new or existing BFF can experience some of ZAP together for twice the vinous fun.

Here’s the deal – each of the two lucky winners in this giveaway will receive the following booty:

You must be 21 or older (and so will your BFF!), and the giveaway covers tickets only (no travel, lodging, massages…). As I’m not (yet?) independently wealthy, rather than transport winners personally from any destination in the world to San Fran. via my sparkling clean white yacht staffed by Swedish swimsuit models, the winning peeps are totally on their own for any travel/expenses. Also, the giveaway is open to U.S. readers only (sorry again, loyal Estonian readers!). As always, if you win, you’re responsible for any taxes, personal expenses, whatnots, etc.

In last year’s giveaway, we generated a ton of great Zinfandel recommendations in the comments. For this year’s giveaway, I thought that we’d do something a little… different… YOU are also going to determine what Zins I review next on 1WineDude.com!…

Here’s how it’s gonna work this time:

  • You (that includes you, surfing here from the office… shame on you…) leave a comment on this post telling me what Zinfandel you want me to review.
  • In one week, I will randomly select two lucky winners, each of whom will receive 2 pair of ZAP event tix as described above!
  • I will then be on the hook for a 1WD feature on the Zins recommended by the winners (timing contingent on me eventually getting my grubby little hands on those Zins, of course).

I think this will be fun, in that two people will win tix to this manic ZIN event, we all get some more killer Zin reco’s, and two of those reco’s will get featured here (eventually).

So… get crackin’ on the comments if you want a chance to win (and to put me to work)!

Cheers – and good luck!

104 thoughts on “Win Tickets To The 2012 ZAP Festival In San Fran (And Decide What Zins I Review Next)!”

      1. This is unlike any Zin you will ever taste from Paso too. (Aside from this promotion, let me know if you need a sample and I will facilitate. I love this winery.)

  5. Tres Sabores Zin is amazing and "certified" organically grown. It has a beautiful berry taste and is very reasonably priced. Thanks!

    1. Becca – thanks, I have had Tres Sabores Zin including their stuff from Premiere NV and always found it to be interesting and expressive. Cheers!

    1. Katie – when I visited there last year (I think it was last year, anyway! :) they had a steady stream of visitors braving the dirt roads to find them, all of whom were pretty hard-core fans of their Zins.

  8. Could you take a look at some Peachy Canyon Zins? Either the Incredible Red or the Westside? (those are the ones in my price range :P)

  9. How about the 2009 Turley Mead Ranch zinfandel (or a Turley zinfandel of your choice) ?

  10. Okay Big Joe, I'm gonna recommend the 2009 Ridge Ponzo Zinfandel. It's pure deliciousness in a bottle. It's maybe a little more "fruit driven" than what I've come to expect from Ridge, but beyond the fruit it still offers some good spice and a moderate amount of complexity. In sum, it rocks!

  12. How about Grgich Hills Zin. Not my favorite label. (just not zany enough) But I have been learning about Biodynamic growing in Wine School and it sounds interesting. Also they might use some Petite Sirah in it, which is my new favorite grape.

    1. RichardPF – Good one, I had been wondering when someone was going to suggest that. And you know me – if you win, I *will* review that wine here!

  14. The Lucas Winery 2007 Zinstar Vineyard Lodi. David Lucas and Heather Pyle Lucas have once again produced a winner!

  16. 2009 Mountain Zinfandel from Opolo Vineyards…also from Paso Robles, CA – my hometown! :)

  17. Here are a few Zin producers in the Healdsburg area that I like. Mauritson – Any of the Rockplie wines, Mazzocco – Maple, Pony, Stone, Paradise Ridge Convict, Rafanelli, Valdez, Stryker, Nalle to name a few.
    Or maybe a write up on wineries that make zins form Rockpile grape. All zins from Rockpile are awesome and need more press.

  18. Will be sending you a bottle of our Zeductive – West Side Paso Zin blended with a little Russian River Petite Sirah. Sold out last year in 4 months and we just released and will be gone again. This time I am saving you a bottle. Cheers, g

  21. Easy one!!!……Hands down Bugay 2009 Sonoma Coast Zin, Its AWESOME!!! Dense, like me, but not so over extracted that it strips paint off the wall. Balanced and complete, yum, yum, yum.

  22. Hate to post twice……."No I dont" just trying to get my hands on BOTH sets of tickets, Michael David 2009 Earthquake Zin, Good O'l Lodi comes to the fore!!! Mothers milk, the total package, meal in a glass, perfect rib-eye and Super bowl accompaniment. Oh yeah!!!!MikeZ

  23. I would like to hear a review of the Dark Star Zin out of Paso Robles. Their 07 struck me as great, their 08 & 09 still pretty good, What say you?
    Dan

  24. Vezer Family Vineyards is located in the Suisun Valley, outside of Napa. They are a smaller producer that has a kickass '06 Zin that I loved so much I brought a bottle back with me to PA.

  25. First time commenter, recent @1winedude fanatic. There are so many fabulous Zins to review. I think it would be HILARIOUS and a good read for you to review some economy Zins… Your Franzia's, Barefoot's, Carlos Rossi's, Inglenook's, etc… I know that this will most likely not happen so in that case, my second choices would be Plungerhead Zin, Zin Your Face, & Klinker Brick. Thanks for all you do! – Alex

    1. Thanks, @WirtzbevRENO – really appreciate the comment! And don’t be afraid to assign me anything, if you win I will be *on the hook* to review it here. Cheers!

  26. Joe, I have a slightly different approach to this. I'd like to see a review of ANY Zinfandel from my favorite Russian River Valley Vineyard – Ponzo Likely suspects are Ridge, Pendleton, Hart's Desire.

  28. I can think of a Zin that has a certain Dragon on the label. … coming along very nicely and will never be featured at ZAP.

      1. Lol Joe. Rather, i'd just have you give my tix to two of your best followers … my choices for Zin (excluding my own);

        Turley Dogtown Lodi Zin (Templeton CA)
        Dillian Zin (Amador CA) – http://www.dillianwines.com/
        A. Rafanelli Zin (Sonoma, west dry creek) – http://arafanelliwinery.com/
        Bella Zin (Sonoma, West dry creek) – http://www.bellawinery.com/

        These are all top Zin's, made without RS and in traditional methods like mine.

        Best –

        Matt
        Draconis

        1. Have it your way, Matt. :) Thanks for the Zin picks – and if you win, I will pick one of these and donate the ZAP tix to a worthy 1WD reader’s purse or wallet. Cheers!

  30. Any of Macchia's Zins, <3 them ! ; ) There is something for everyone there. Also, St. Amants Old Vine Zin. We seem to be partial to the Mohr Fry Ranch, but both are great. Are we talking about Zin ports too ? " Cheers"

    1. Thanks, Kim – but if you win, I say that I am only on the hook to review ONE of those, okay? ;-) I had not mentioned the Port-style Zins, mostly because the majority of them that I encounter are terrible… but if you mention a specific one and you win, then I am on the hook to review it so fire away!

      1. I understand Wine Dude. No worries. Have you tried Macchia's "Dangerous" Port ? There is also,
        Domaine Becquet Winery CA. The Tawny & Ruby are both lovely. Take your pick. Really sorry to hear you haven't found one to you'r liking. There's always next years quest. You have a tough job , have fun ! Enoy.

  33. Alright my good sir. LOVE me a good Zin. I want you to review a PRIMITIVO from the great state of WA – Hard Row to Hoe's 2008 Primitivo to be precise.

    Josh Wade
    @nectarwine

  34. Hey everyone – an update on this…

    Instead of contacting the winners via email privately, I will first announce the winners – and therefore also the Zins for which I will be on the review hook – publicly here on Dec 14!

    Good luck, all – and keep the comments coming, this giveaway is still live through Dec. 13, 2011!

  36. I heartily suggest Auriga's Zin from the Sierra Foothills. The '03 was my fav. The '05 won tons of awards. Haven't tried the current release yet. There is noticeable variation in jamminess from year to year. Back when I discovered the '03 I thought I had a secret find. Then the '05 started winning awards and the secret was out. Give Auriga a try.

  38. Any zinfandel from Contra Costa County or Livermore. Livermore could be Bent Creek, Fenestra, Mitchell Katz (or other). Contra Costa could be Rosenblum, Cline, or Viano :)

    1. Thanks, Gina – my understanding that some of the fruit going into that wine does (or used to, anyway) come from some old vines in Lodi, which could make it a pretty good bargain…

  44. Biale Black Chicken, ripe and voluptuous. And on the opposite end, any Zin by Joseph Swan. His Zins are elegant, structured and have long life. If Bordeaux allowed Zinfandel, their top growths would be like his.

  45. OK I'll kick in and help Joe over the century mark…
    How about the Zins made by Oregon's Angel Vine from Washington state fruit?
    Read about but have not tried.

  47. Well, Joe, since my first two choices are wine club only (Denner Vineyards and Cypher Winery ZinBitch), which I'd imagine you wouldn't review because most folks can't get it, I vote for one everyone CAN get, and should:

    Judd's Hill Burkes Blazing Barbecue Old Vine Zinfandel. Great story, great Zin!

    Can't wait to see what you select, because me likey the Zinnies! :)

    1. Thanks, Leilani! I have had the ZinBitch I think at Cypher, need to check my notes on the Denner. But do NOT let that stop you – if you win and you want me to review club-only, then I am ON THE HOOK for procuring them somehow. Tough to go too far wrong with Judd’s Hill, they make some very nice juice. Cheers!

  50. 2008 Homefire of Sonoma Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel .. Exquisite, Impressive, Complex, Classic, Aromatically Erotic, Timeless, Age-worthy, Monstrous, Provocative, Addictive, Iconoclastic, Tastes of a Beautifully Unknown Origin .. along with some easily identifiable tastes like Berry, Cherry, Vanilla, Cocoa, Anise, Light Oak, and a sense of time and place that is only Dry Creek Valley.

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