It's just about that time again…when zinfandel takes over the town of San Francisco for four days of fantastic food and wine. The 19th Annual Grand Zinfandel Tasting is the not-to-be-missed 'grand finale' of four events making up the 19th Annual Zinfandel Advocates & Producers Festival January 28-30, 2010, in San Francisco.
The ZAP Grand Tasting takes place on January 30 from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. at the Festival and Herbst Pavilions at Fort Mason (Marina Blvd. at Buchanan, San Francisco 94123). Tickets for non-ZAP members are $59; for ZAP members, $49. Over 200 wineries are expected to pour their wines along side some might tasty food bites. There will be a silent auction based at the Festival Pavilion from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., benefiting ZAP's Heritage Projects.
The ZAP Festival will include more than 200 Zinfandel-specialist wineries from all across California pouring their barrel samples and new releases for over 10,000 enthusiasts during three days at four separate events. There will be silent auctions during three events – Good Eats & Zinfandel Pairing, The Grand Zinfandel Tasting, and Evening with the Winemakers; proceeds support ZAP's Heritage Vineyard projects.
Good Eats & Zinfandel Pairing takes place on January 28, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Fort Mason Center (Marina Blvd. at Buchanan, San Francisco 94123). Approximately 50 restaurants will pair with wineries. Tickets for non-ZAP members are $125. for ZAP members, $95.
Flights: A Showcase of Zinfandels, a seated tasting with in-depth seminars focusing on limited-production Zinfandels, takes place on January 29 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., at The InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel's Peacock Court (1 Nob Hill, San Francisco, 94108, 415/392-3434). Topics will include the role of blending and regional variation in the world of Zinfandel. Tickets for non-ZAP members are $80; for ZAP members, $65. .
Evening With The Winemakers: A Benefit Live Auction & Dinner, takes place on January 29 beginning with a reception-tasting at 5:00 p.m., at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco (1 Nob Hill, San Francisco 94108, 415/392-3434). Tickets are $260 for non-members and $210 for ZAP members, available only in advance and not at the door.
The reception will include the opportunity to taste, for the first time, the 2008 Heritage Vineyard Zinfandel (made from ZAP's experimental vineyard by Tom Mackey of St. Francis Vineyards & Winery). Guests will then enjoy a feast prepared by ZAP's celebrity chef, Beverly Gannon; guests are seated with a winemaker host at their table. Proceeds from the silent and live auctions benefit ZAP's Heritage Projects, preserving the historical and viticultural significance of America's heritage wine.
Continuing updates on events as well as ticket purchasing for all the events can be found at Zap website.