A Zinfandel Renaissance May Be Coming in 2026
What Changed? Welcome Winter with This Versatile Wine
Winter is a great time to embrace a hearty red Zinfandel….a perfect pairing with humble burgers, bold warm spiced dishes, and grilled steaks. Great Zinfandel sure got a bad rap in the last few decades. It was made into that sweet blush wine in the 1980’s and later as an inky, oaky Cabernet-like imitation in the 2000s. Times have changed for Zinfandel. Its ancient vines are producing world-class Zinfandel wines that reflect its historic roots.
Zinfandel History and Roots
This grape was once thought to be a California native grape. DNA research performed by the University of California at Davis showed its historic roots in Croatia where it is known as Crljenak Kaštelanski or Tribidrag. Yet this grape variety has some of the most ancient vines in both California and Southern Italy, where it is known as Primitivo. In 1888, Zinfandel was the most planted grape in California. Many are now recorded in the International Old Vine Registry.
The international OVR – Old Vine Registry was created as a collaborative process inspired and begun by wine critic Jancis Robinson MW and several of her colleagues. They understood the important elements of cultural and scientific heritage as the source of a particularly beautiful, complex wine. The “Historic Vine Society,” a non-profit based in California, has a mission of preserving and rehabilitating old vineyards, many of them planted with Zinfandel. For instance, the Ridge Lytton Springs, Sonoma County, tasting room is surrounded by 115-year-old-vines.
What Changed for Zinfandel? Why the Renaissance Prediction?
Many say the Judgement of Paris 1976 Wine Tasting, pitting California against the French with California the winner, tended to highlight the Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap) and Chardonnay (Chateau Montelena) grape winners. This drew attention away from Zinfandel. “Chateau Montelena: A Retelling of the 1976 Paris Wine Tasting,” July 9, 2024, Wine Wanderings.
So, what is the excitement about a Zinfandel Renaissance? Is it the Zinfandel’s versatility? Historic presence? Ancient vines? Price vs. Value? Perhaps it is all of these current dynamics?
“Zinfandel is endlessly adaptable in style, can appeal to a variety of drinkers and is suitable for a number of wine occasions. Opt for a richer and riper Zinfandel for the winter months, lighter and fresher styles for the summer, even a rosé of Zinfandel for the hot summer months. In addition to the versatility of the varietal, which is grown across the entire state of California, it is said dollar-for-dollar, Zinfandel offers better quality for the consumer. “A young Napa Cab starts at $300 a bottle; that doesn’t work anymore [for some], and people are waking up to that”, - Tegan Passalacqua, Turley Wine Cellars, Winemaker and founding member of the Historic Vineyard Society, in WineBusiness, Nov. 5, 2025.
The Food Pairing Versatility of Zinfandel
Zinfandel pairs well with grilled meats, barbecue, and tomato-based pasta dishes like Spaghetti Bolognese due to its bold, fruity, and peppery characteristics. It’s a great match for chili, burgers, roasted vegetables, and aged or blue cheese. Try Zinfandelic’s Grilled Steak with Mushroom Sauce recipe.
Wine Recommendations
2023 Ravenswood Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Sonoma County, $23
Wine Spectator, 93 Points
2022 Ridge Pagani Ranch Zinfandel, Sonoma County, $47
Robert Parker, 94 Points
2022 Turley Cedarman Zinfandel, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, $47
Robert Parker, 94 Points, a blend of 22% Petit Sirah, and 78% Zinfandel.
2021 Seghesio Family Vineyards Cortina Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma $40
Wine Spectator, 94 Points.
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In Case You Missed It in the Wine News:
Dave McIntyre’s WineLine, Dec. 5, 2025 “Happy Repeal Day.”
The ratification of the 21st amendment to the US Constitution repealing the 19th amendment was a milestone in returning America to sanity and moderate drinking, to a a sane industry not run by mafia bosses. Dave McIntyre discusses the “New Prohibition” where certain society segments again are trying to regulate behavior. Worth a read.
CultureMap, Austin, Nov. 19, 2025 “Hill Country Winery is region’s first on World’s 50 Best Vineyards List.” – William Chris Vineyards was named to the 2025 World’s 50 Best Vineyards list by their voting academy of 700 renown sommeliers, travel and wine tourism and trade experts.
The Drinks Business, November 28, 2025, “Sparkling Wine Keeps Its Shine as Younger Drinkers Reshape the Category.” IWSR data shows that sparkling wine is outperforming still wine in the US, UK, and France, as Millennials and GenZ embrace fizz far beyond celebrations for informal occasions.
Travel Opportunities
Editor’s Note: I will be cruising on AmaWaterways this April 20, 2026, on the Romantic Danube Cruise. Wine Wanderings subscribers: Come and join me and Wölffer Estate Winery’s Roman Roth, Winemaker/Partner on the Danube River. We will be visiting Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Hungary.
Cruise the Danube on AmaWaterways with Wine Wanderings and Wölffer Estate Winery April 20, 2026, Romantic Danube.
“Enticing Douro River Cruise” with Dr. Bob Young. M.D. of Bending Branch Winery April 6-13, 2026
Hi Carol, thanks for your note. In the meantime you might grab som Primitivo from Puglia in Italy. Tricia
Good article on Zinfandel wine, Tricia. My husband first introduced me to red Zin when we started dating (late 1970s) and we have always enjoyed it regardless of its popularity (or not). Thanks for your recommended list. Will check some out if/when we return stateside for a visit. - CW