ZAP - Zinfandel Advocates and Producers
Zinfandel Advocates and Producers, “ZAP” began in the 1990’s as a group of Zinfandel loving members with the intention to preserve and celebrate Zinfandel: the grape that settled the American West or as it is referred to as “America’s Heritage grape” through providing support for growers, designing research projects to further the understanding of and preservation of Old Vine acreage and other educational projects and events, including the annual Zinfandel Experience.
Held in San Francisco on the last weekend in January, every year since 1992, “ZinEX” brings together producers and vintners of Zinfandel for an annual gathering and tasting from across the US and the globe. Attracting 1000-5000 visitors over the three-day event, ZAP exposes and educates consumers to the wonders of the Zinfandel grape.
With the money gleaned from the event, membership dues and grants, ZAP supports research and preservation efforts to improve the quality of Zinfandel, increase Zinfandel acreage and safeguard the heritage of old vines throughout California.
One such effort is the Zinfandel Heritage Vineyard Project. It is an unprecedented collection of rare and famous Zinfandel vine cuttings taken from throughout California. Planted at the University of California at Davis (UC Davis) Oakville Research Station in Napa Valley in 1995 with many cuttings sourced from historic old vine plantings, all geographically diverse from one another. The goal being to study the characteristics of each in order to provide superior Zinfandel selections to growers as the basis for future plantings. With a secondary outcome being the preservation of Zinfandel vines from the oldest, most historical, and premium producing vineyards in the US.
ZAP continues to support research and preservation efforts to improve the quality of Zinfandel, increase Zinfandel awareness by the consumer by advancing the appreciation of Zinfandel wine and preserving its rich history.
Links: zinfandel.org
Instagram: @ZAP.Zinfandel
Facebook: facebook.com/ZAP.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt93ZngJPDcr90T1Fn6gAlw