Zindfandel zaps Vancouver

ZINFANDEL ADVOCATES & PRODUCERS BRING THE ZIN MESSAGE TO VANCOUVER
July 23, 24, 25th is all about the Heritage Grape

Burlington (ON)—Team ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates & Producers) will be descending upon Vancouver from July 23rd-25th to preach the gospel of Zin, pour their fabulous wines and educate Vancouverites about America’s heritage grape at a variety of exciting trade and consumer events around the city.

For the first time, ZAP, the non-profit, educational association, will be bringing more than 15 member wineries to Vancouver to showcase America’s premier grape. During their three-day blitz, ZAP is showcasing a series of trade and consumer tastings, seminars, private functions and consumer BBQs to market the Zinfandel grape to one of Canada’s most important wine markets.

Among the highlights of the Vancouver tour: a trade tasting at Zin restaurant; media luncheon in the penthouse of the Pacific Palisades Hotel, consumer tastings at the Everything Wine Store and Park Royal LDB store, Zin barbecue bashes with private clubs and local wine clubs and special trade seminars. A complete list of activities is attached.

“We are extremely passionate about the Zinfandel grape,” explains ZAP’s Executive Director, Rebecca Robinson.  “Tasters will be exposed to a rainbow of Zinfandels, from various growing regions.  Vancouver wine lovers will meet winemakers and winery owners who have traveled from California to introduce their Zinfandels to these enthusiastic target groups,” she adds.

Zinfandel is a great wine tasting experience, because of its diversity of styles. Most of today’s red Zinfandel table wine is produced from grapes picked at the optimum balance of sugar and acid to yield wines with luscious flavour and elegant tannins. The Zinfandel grape has advanced from rags to riches. Its transformation from a little-known grape to one that is grown on over 50,000 acres in the United States and achieved tremendous popularity is the all-American success story.

“Zin winemakers love the energy of British Columbia and appreciate Vancouver’s passion for food and wine,” said Robinson. “Our vintners are proud to pour their wines and share their knowledge for all things ZIn to this captivated audience so we are looking forward to our action-packed 3 day visit.”

About ZAP

The 19th Annual ZAP Festival will be held January 27-30, 2010 in San Francisco. This exciting event comprised of grand tastings, dinners and seminars explores the depth and breadth of Zinfandel at this internationally recognized celebration of the grape.
“There’s no other place in the world a wine lover can go to experience the diverse world of Zinfandel,” explains Rebecca Robinson, ZAP’s Executive Director. “Every year we  see increasing interest in America’s heritage grape, which played a key role in  California’s history,” she adds.

Visit www.zinfandel.org, www.zinworld.org to join in the enormous online world of
Zinfandel lore and socializing or join that conversation at Twitter
(http://twitter.com/ZinfandelOrg), Facebook or MySpace.

The Association of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) is a non-profit, educational organization.  ZAP is dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel  and its unique place in our culture and history. Winegrowers, winemakers and wine enthusiasts combine to form the membership. The common focus is the preservation and recognition of Zinfandel as America’s heritage wine. ZAP’s membership includes approximately 300 winery-members, 6,000 advocate-members and 50 associate members.

Vancouver Participating Wineries:
•       Brazin’ Cellars (Mark Fogelman, Canadian Sales Manager)
•        Dogwood Cellars (Doug Hackett,Owner/Winemaker
·        Dry Creek Vineyard (Antonio Silvia, Director of Export)
·        Four Vines Winery (Bill Grand, Partner)
·        Gnarly Head/Twisted Cellars (Mark Fogelman,Canadian Sales Manager)
·        Ironstone Vineyards (Pamela Graviet, Director of Marketing and PR)
·        Michael-David Winery
·         Rancho Zabaco
·        Ravenswood (Joel Peterson, Co-Founder&Winemaker)
·        Ridge Vineyards (David Amadia – VP, Sales & Marketing)
·        Robert Biale Vineyards(Robert Biale, Co-Proprietor)
·        Seghesio Family Vineyards(Camille Seghesio, Export Director)
·        Starry Night Winery (Bruce Walker, President (ZAP Board President)
·        Storrs Winery & Vineyards (Steve Storrs, Owner/Winemaker)
·        Terra d’Oro – Trinchero Family (Jeff Meyers, VP;
Brent Marshall,Canadian Sales Manager)
•        Twisted (Mark Fogelman, Cdn Sales Mgr)