Brian Fitzpatrick

America's own world class vinifera wine grape, California's Zinfandel is like no other. Big bold berry flavors, black pepper spice, boyish tannins and enough zippy acid to compete with even the tomato. But modern science is spoiling all the charm in this American tale. Speculation made the case for Zin's oddessy to have begun in Italy with the grape known as Primitivo. But as oddessys go, the story has more twists than turns and when Mike Grigch of Grigch Cellars visited his native Croatia, he discovered some likely parents of America's baby Zin. UCDavis couldn't wait to use their new tools to check the DNA of Zinfandel and these other foreign grapes claiming  to be baby Zin's Mom and Dad. Scientists then concurred although momentarily that the Croatian grape Plavic Mali was the Grand Daddy of Zin. Then two local scientists showed that Plavic Mali is the off-spring of Zinfandel and Dobricic, yet another Croatian grape. With joined efforts these researchers have now found an indigenous Croatian grape identical to Zinfandel and Primitivo called Crljenak

Since its introduction in 1862, accredited to Agoston Haraszthy the father of the California wine industry, Zinfandel has been widely planted throughout California. Wine historian Charles Sullivan believes information that points to a George Gibbs who imported the grape from the Austro-Hungarian imperial nursery in Vienna and brought it to Boston in 1829. There's more but that's it for now and here. The Sierra Foothills, especially Amador's Shenandoah Valley, Fiddletown and El Dorado's Fair Play are and have been since the Gold Rush areas prized for growing this great American grape - Zinfandel.

The names Fitzpatrick and Zinfandel are like two peas in a pod. Since 1980 Fitzpatrick wines have created outstanding Zins. We started in 1980 emphasizing Zinfandels from three select vineyards in the Shenandoah Valley: Clockspring Vineyard, Rock Hill Vineyard and the Jehling Vineyard. Let us not forget too the tiny old-vine George Demille vineyard. Awards came immediately for our Zins, referred too as 'Gentle Monsters'. But it was the 1981 Jehling Vnyd. Zin that won our first Gold and at Orange County where more than 80 Zins were entered and only 7 Golds were awarded. And ironically for the times this was not a monster but an elegant medium bodied Zin with perfect balance of components. That 1981 Zin taught us a good lesson that brute strength does not determine a wine's ability to age but it's the balance of fruit, flavors, tannins and acid that allows wines to age with such grace. Our Zins over the years went on to win an impressive cache of awards including the 1985 Grand Award at the Amador Country Fair, Best of Shows, Golds (including a recent CA State Fair Gold with 94 points, just one point short of the Best of California Zin), Silvers and Bronzes. Accolades from the Press added to the awareness of our success with Zin. But it was the consumers and the old fashion 'word of mouth' that built us an image of  'a place for Zins'.

Today, the pendulum of style has swung gently back and forth in search of perfecting balance. It's all about balance. And we been blessed through our success with the welcome addition of new oak. Trials with different barrels from different coopers and more importantly oak wood source from different regions and forests have shown us the beauty and marriage of Minnesotan oak and Zinfandel. Our ability to capture the depth and lushness of Zinfandel's fruit is never over-powered by our use of oak. Try one of our current releases and see for yourselves what Fitzpatrick, a maker of Zins for 24 years, can bottle up.

2000 Robert Cowan Vnyd. Zinfandel $17.00

Always a winner including a Silver at the International Organically Grown Wine Competition 2002, Robert Cowan Vineyard Zinfandel from Amador's Shenandoah Valley has proven itself year after year since we began buying these organically grown grapes in 1989. Much like the cherished 1999 vintage, this 2000 Zin has incredibly lush forward raspberry/blackberry fruit, black pepper and clove spice, ample acid and a little residual sugar. The abundance of flavor masks the high alcohol of 16% and the tiny bit of sweetness smooths out all the rough edges. You'll say 'Wow!' upon first sip of this friendly Zin. $17.00

2001 Estate Grown Zinfandel $21.00

Our first offering of our Estate Grown Zinfandel has laid a solid foundation of great quality as a high benchmark for vintages to come. Winner of international and domestic awards and a wonderful review in the Wine Enthusiast's November 2003 Special Zinfandel issue: "Coffee, toast, tea, raspberry, black cherry and spice are all up front here in this pretty yet robust Zin. It's spicy bright, zippy on the palate and serves it all up on smooth tannins." I love this wine and look forward to great things from our estate vineyards' vintages to come. Only 250+ cases made. $21.00

King's Red X

The tenth (X) blend in 18 years since the royal mistake (King's Red I, this multiple vintage , multiple varietal blend is by far the Best Value of our great lineup of reds. The X is made up of four batches of Zin from three vintages plus our own Sangiovese and a wee bit of Nebbiollo and Merlot. Wonderful oak flavors build in some real complexities to this award winning premium red table wine.

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