Rough & Ready, CA, summer 2012----Zinfandel Advocates & Producers invites the public to the second annual Grille-O-Rama at Rock Wall Wine Company in Alameda on Saturday, August 11 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Rock Wall Wine Company is located at 2301 Monarch Street , Suite 300, Building 24 (94501, http://www.rockwallwines.com/, 510/522-5700).

Attendees will discover the distinct flavors of Zinfandel from up and down California including the Bay Area, Lodi, Napa, Paso Robles, Sierra Foothills, and Sonoma: this is an opportunity to taste and compare 30 different Zinfandels from 9 growing regions. 4 savvy chefs---Chef Tyler Stone, Chef John Ledbetter of Bocanova, Chef Dawn Wofford of Sonoma Smokehouse and Chef Sophina Uong of Pican---will fire up the grills to create tantalizing tastes served alongside the wines. A “People’s Choice” award will be chosen by the attendees. Respected wine professionals serving as judges---Sara Schneider (Sunset Magazine’s wine editor), Luke Sykora (Associate Editor, Wine & Spirits Magazine) and Frank Thorsberg (KTVU television producer and wine blogger)---will also select a winning “Grill Master.” Enjoy the views of San FranciscoBay and the spaciousness of the airplane hangar setting while you stroll, sip, taste, chat and chew.

ZAP member tickets are $40 per person if purchased before July 27. After July 27, all tickets are $50 per person; it’s suggested to buy tickets in advance (530/274-4900 or https://members.zinfandel.org/cgi-shl/TWServer.exe?EREG:OrderEvent:2012ORAMAMEM); some may be available at the door at the event.

Participating wineries are:

Bay Area: Dashe Cellars, R&B Cellars, Rock Wall Wine Company, Three Wine Company

Lodi: Brazin Cellars, Cycles Gladiator Winery, Harazthy, Jessie’s Grove Winery, Klinker Brick Winery, Macchia, Masked Rider

Napa Valley: Green & Red Vineyards, Hendry Wines, Zinfandel Heritage Vineyard

Paso Robles: Castoro Cellars, Four Vines

Nevada County: Chacewater Wine

Calaveras County: Chatom Vineyards, Mmilliaire Winery

El Dorado County: Lava Cap Winery, Mellowood Vineyards

Amador County: Renwood Winery, Scott Harvey Wines

Sonoma: Carol Shelton Wines, DeLoach Vineyards, Dutcher Crossing Winery, Mauritson Family Winery, Red Truck, Starry Night Winery.

2013 ZAP FESTIVAL

The 22nd Annual Zinfandel Festival takes place in San Francisco January 31 – February 2, 2013. Watch zinfandel.org for updates on all the activities. The events consist of Epicuria at The Concourse on Thursday, January 31; Flights at The Fairmont on Friday, February 1; Zinfandel Winemakers’ Dinner on February 1 at The Fairmont Hotel and The Grand Tasting at The Concourse on Saturday, February 2. Early bird ticket packages are available from August 1 until September 30; tickets for all events go on sale online on October 1.

ZINFANDEL ADVOCATES & PRODUCERS

The Association of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers is a not-for-profit, member-based, educational 501(c)(3) organization. ZAP’s mission is to advance public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history.

Winegrowers, winemakers and wine enthusiasts combine to form the membership. The common focus is the preservation and recognition of Zinfandel as America’s heritage wine. ZAP’s membership includes approximately 250 winery-members, 4,000 advocate members and 100 associate members.