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Herbst & Festival Pavilions
Forget the Raiders. Forget the Giants. The Zinfandel Festival
plays host to perhaps the most partisan of fans – the
singularly obsessive lovers of Zinfandel, often called America’s
heritage wine.
Events are held around the city for four days beginning Wednesday,
January 25. The largest of these events, on January
28, is the 15th Anniversary Zinfandel Tasting, a tasting
so big that it is held in both the Festival and Herbst Pavilions
at Fort Mason Center.
 As
many as 300 wineries participate in this two-pavilion tasting.
This year, the 2004 vintage is showcased, including barrel
samples and some new releases. A silent auction is part of
the program and is held at the rear of the Festival Pavilion
with a vast array of Zinfandel-related items – etched
bottles, winery excursions, "meet the winemaker"
programs, and one-of-a-kind items.
Two days earlier, Thursday’s Good Eats and Zinfandel
Pairing is at the Herbst as well. Top Zinfandel producers
and acclaimed chefs create a foodies "dream come true."
The Zin Restaurant & Wine Bar (Healdsburg), Carneros Bistro
(Sonoma) and Lulu (San Francisco) join four dozen other restaurants
and an equal number of wineries for unparalleled food and
wine match-ups.
ZAP stands for Zinfandel Advocates and Producers, an association
set up to promote the once forgotten wines. Since its founding
in 1991, wine lovers have discovered that the once lowly zinfandel
had noble roots and wine producers have made Zinfandel a favorite
among favorites.
Other Zinfandel Festival Events
Flights – A Showcase of Zinfandels
Seminars & Tasting Wednesday, January 25, 2 —
6 p.m., City College of San Francisco, Culinary Arts &
Hospitality Studies Program
Evening with the Winemakers Benefit Dinner & Auction,
Friday, January 27, 6 p.m., Mark Hopkins InterContinental
Hotel
For more information about festival events and the fascinating
history of the Zinfandel grape, visit www.zinfandel.org.
Tickets for all events can be purchased from the Fort Mason
Center Box Office, (415) 345-7575.
— Ronald Tierney
All Photos: Wayde Carroll
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