Modesto wine columnist: Book early for Vintage Paso: Zinfandel Weekend
Paso Robles’ heritage variety, Zinfandel, takes center stage Friday, March 20 at Castoro Cellars. The Zin-focused seminar is the start of the annual Vintage Paso: Zinfandel Weekend. The Zinposium, “To Blend or Not to Blend,” will feature three wineries, Castoro, Calcareous Estate and the Tackitt Family Vineyards. The seminar starts at 3:30 p.m. and is sure to be a sell out. Friday evening is the Z Afterparty at the beautiful Allegretto Vineyard Resort. The two-hour Zinfandel tasting will feature 26 Paso Robles wineries, live music, bites of delicious savory charcuterie, assorted cheeses and sweet treats. It will be the perfect start to a Paso Zinfandel Weekend.
On Saturday, more than 100 wineries will be hosting their own special Vintage Paso: Zinfandel Weekend events. They may offer winery tours, live music, library tastings, winemaker dinners, pizza making or blending your own wine experiences. Visit pasowine.com for a complete list of all the details of the events and make sure you sign up early.
Sunday morning will feature three Zinscursions into wine country. Turley Wine Cellars will offer “Old Vine Farming & Blending” from 100-year-old vines. Dante Dusi Vineyard will offer “One Iconic Vineyard and Four Iconic Blends.” Bovino Vineyards will feature winemaker Steve Anglim leading a vineyard tour and hosting a luncheon with Bovino and Anglim wines. Sunday, March 22 will conclude the weekend with more events at local wineries. To find out more information and to order tickets for this special weekend, go to pasowine.com.
What’s on Our Table
The Steal: The 2014 Five-Ton Sonoma County Zinfandel ($5.95), the 2018 30 Degrees Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir ($6.95) and the 2016 Robert Hall Paso Robles Syrah ($4.95). All Grocery Outlet steals.
The Deal: I’m a big fan of Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc and now I have to include his 2017 California 815 Cabernet Sauvignon. All Gott’s wines are under $20 and Costco had this one for under $13. I suggest a multiple bottle purchase. The 2019 roses are coming out and the Raeburn Russian River Rose was my first. It’s a blend of Pinot Noir, Grenache and Zinfandel with a light salmon hue and delicate flavors. The SRP is $19.95 but it is sale priced under $17. Another deal.
The Splurge: Worried about what wine to take to your wino friend’s dinner party? The 2016 Kenwood Vineyards Six Ridges Cabernet Sauvignon ($35) would be a good pick. The Alexander Valley wine has ripe blackberry fruit flavors with soft round tannins and a long smooth finish. Your friends will be pleased and likely invite you back. Cheers!
Questions? Comments? Find me on Facebook or at rgwinton@yahoo.com.
This story was originally published March 10, 2020 at 4:01 PM.