Zinfandel

Zinfandel is a black-skinned Vitis vinifera grape genetically identical to the Croatian Crljenak Kastelanski and the Italian Primitivo, brought to California in the 19th century where it became a signature variety. It produces large, tight clusters of round black berries that ripen unevenly, often with ripe and green berries in the same bunch, requiring careful harvest timing. Zinfandel makes bold, high-alcohol red wines with jammy berry and spice character, as well as the popular off-dry White Zinfandel rosé. The vine is vigorous and heat loving, thriving in California's warm regions, and many prized vineyards are old, gnarled head-trained vines over a century old. Its tight clusters can be prone to bunch rot, so canopy management matters.