2018 Bramble Ridge Winery Amador County, California Zinfandel

California’s signature grape variety also is Amador County’s specialty, representing more than two-thirds of the county’s 3,330 acres of grapevines. The region’s old, dry-farmed, low-yielding vines produce robust, full-bodied, spicy Zinfandels.

Amador’s warm climate, high solar radiance and low humidity promote the full ripening of the grapes. The area heats up fairly early in the day, but rarely exceeds 100 degrees during the growing season. Equally important, temperatures typically drop 30-35 degrees in the evening as breezes cascade down from the Sierras. This helps the grapes retain the acidity essential to balanced wines.

As the 2018 vintage from Bramble Ridge Winery demonstrates, Amador Zins are versatile food wines, especially well matched with hearty dishes such as grilled red meats and tomato-sauce pastas. Described by our tasting panel as “fun and elevated,” the Bramble Ridge Zin also pairs perfectly with pepperoni pizza.