Fruity and approachable, Zinfandel was the gateway to my love for bold red wines — the hardy varietals you’ll find all over Temecula. Zinfandel, too, is a sturdy grape that thrives in California’s year-round sunshine, and some of Temecula’s top winemakers began their careers cultivating it. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the wine or just beginning your journey into the world of bold reds, Temecula has plenty of well-crafted options. Here are five standout Zinfandels to try on your next visit, each offering a unique take on this versatile grape.
Note: Altisima Winery recently won Silver for their 2021 Zinfandel from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. If you’re visiting their beautiful tasting room, I suggest asking for a taste before they sell out.
Lorenzi Estate 2019 Estate Zinfandel
The wine:
Fruit-forward but with a dry finish, Lorenzi Winery’s Zinfandel is a sophisticated, velvety one, that can be enjoyed on its own or with a meal. His 2019 Estate Zinfandel ($85) is balanced and smooth. It’s a new release for the winery, and Lorenzi’s patience in bottling and daily obsession with building incredible flavor and color is evident.
The winery:
Don Lorenzi is another Temecula winemaker whose journey started with Zinfandel. A cousin gave him a gift of Zinfandel vines from a family vineyard back in 2000, which eventually led to the opening of his Lorenzi Estate Temecula winery in 2013. Reservations are strongly recommended on the weekends.
Doffo Vineyards 2022 Zinfandel
The wine:
If Zinfandel to you means big and jammy, Doffo Winery’s most recent 2022 Zinfandel ($79) is the one to try. Winemaker Damian Doffo builds color and flavor with daily pump-overs during the fermenting process of these grapes grown in the Temecula Valley. It’s the fruitiest wine on this list, full of blackberry and plum on the nose with a slightly sweet finish.
The winery:
Marcelo Doffo purchased his Temecula property 27 years ago, and it is decorated with his collection of vintage European motorcycles, a nod to his passion for the European sport and his earlier career as a restorer. It makes for a unique setting to enjoy one of his wines while looking out at the rolling hills of Temecula Valley. If you’re interested in a tour of his motorcycle collection, book a tour at least a few days ahead.
Vienza at Europa Village 2021 Primitivo
The wine:
Primitivo is an Italian Zinfandel, and Vienza’s 2021 Primitivo ($55) makes our list of wines to try for its lovely blend of plum and raspberry and a hint of a sweet finish. I try to sneak a sip whenever I’m in the tasting room. Don’t just take my word for it; Wine Enthusiast awarded it 90 points, describing it as: ”Fresh and snappy raspberry aromas meet with mint, dust, and steel on the nose of this bottling. The palate is grippy in texture with flavors of red plum skin and pepper. The finish is almost sweet with a cookie-like component.”
The winery:
Vienza is one of three wineries at Europa Village on Temecula’s Rancho California Road. If you visit, be sure to stop in at Vienza’s Mercato, a delightful Italian marketplace and deli filled with dried pasta and other food gifts, as well as pastries, gelato, and a wood-fired oven that turns out fantastic pizza.
Akash Winery 2021 Estate Zinfandel
The wine:
At the other end of the spectrum is Akash Winery’s 2021 Estate Zinfandel ($69). There’s barely a hint of sweet in this wine. Instead, the intense blackberry is balanced by hints of tobacco and smoke. It is absolutely drinkable now, but it will be at its best in two or three years.
The winery:
It’s easy to spend an afternoon at Akash. Their long patio feels like an outdoor lounge, and is surrounded by row upon row of grapevines. It’s a wonderful place to spend the afternoon. Since you’re there, the 2021 Estate Petit Sirah is also worthy of a pour, as is the 2021 Dreamville Blend 45—a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from neighboring Temecula vineyards.
Lorimar Winery 2019 Zinfandel
The Wine:
Lorimar’s 2019 Zinfandel is deep, dark, and bold. It has more age on it than some of the others on this list, which yields darker fruit like black current, warm baking spices, and dark berries.
The winery:
This is a casual, friendly spot with live music every day. The musicians are talented and the volume can get loud. If that’s not your thing, not to worry, the winery has plenty of lovely outdoor seating areas where you can bring your glass and taste at your leisure. www.lorimarwinery.com
Bonus Pick: Marshall Stuart 2018 Zinfandel Contra Costa County
The wine:
Marshall Stuart opened his tasting room in the historic Vail Ranch Headquarters in the summer of 2024, and on my first visit, I brought home a bottle of his 2018 Zinfandel. The bottle wasn’t on the tasting menu, but once he noticed that I was enjoying his 2021 Old Vine Zinfandel, he poured me a taste, and I fell for the smooth blend of raspberry and baking spice.
The 2018 is made of grapes from Contra Costa County in the Bay Area, a growing region known for its hundred-year-old Zinfandel vineyards. While not technically a Temecula Zinfandel, it’s a steal at $39 a bottle and should not be missed if it’s still available. While on your Zinfandel expedition in his tasting room, you might also try Marshall Stuart’s 2018 Bonailie Old Vine Zinfandel Dessert Wine—a port-style wine full of black cherry and chocolate flavor.
The winery:
Marshall Stuart has experience growing Zinfandel vines in Temecula for well over 20 years. He started with an apprenticeship at Keyways Winery (now Somerset Winery), where he developed their Zinfandel program, so it’s no surprise that his is high on our list.
