California wine with Columbus roots: Zanon Zinfandel

Scott Zanon loves a good glass of Zinfandel — the problem was, he could no longer find one.

“Over the years I tried Zins and they kept getting higher alcohol, these big styles – I can’t stand them,” said Zanon.

Zanon, an Upper Arlington resident who owns a medical supply company, previously spent 15 years working with wine. Armed with industry contacts, he contacted a vineyard in Dry Creek Valley – he won’t (can’t?) say which one, just that it’s owned by a “third generation Italian family that’s been around since 1927 and their name ends in a vowel” – to see if they had wine to spare so he could blend his own perfect Zinfandel.

They did, so Zanon headed to Northern Sonoma County to create the initial 300 cases of Zanon Zinfandel, a 2011 vintage which began distribution in Columbus earlier this year.

“They grow the grapes, they make the wine, they have extra wine at the end, I buy that from them, and then I go and blend,” explains Zanon. “Then I provide them the labels and they bottle and label it.”

Zanon’s Zinfandel goes down smooth, with blackberry and raspberry notes and hints of vanilla and black pepper. It’s “The way Zinfandel should taste,” according to Zanon, who also trademarked that tagline for the wine.

“Zinfandel is such a versatile wine,” said Zanon. “It goes well with red sauces, steaks, barbecue – it has enough spice with it that it goes with all those foods, and it’s balanced.”

Zanon Zinfandel retails for $18.99 and is currently available at Central Ohio bars and restaurants (list below) with plans to expand across the state soon.

“To be able to put Dry Creek Valley on a label in this state for under $20 is really quite remarkable,” said Zanon.

Zanon Zinfandel Availability

Retail: Andersons, Carfagnas, Carnardos, Gentiles, Giant Eagle Market Districts, Giant Eagle (Select Stores), Hausfrau Haven, Hills Markets, Huffmans Market, Luckys, Palmers Beverage, Spagio Wine Lounge, Twisted Vine and Weilands Market

Bar/restaurant: Caffe DaVinci, Cuco’s, Due Amici, G. Michaels, Gallos Bar and Kitchen, La Chatelaine Lane Ave, Refectory, Rocky Fork Hunt & CC, Rossi Bar, Scioto CC, Snapshots, Trattoria Roma, Wings, Wine Bistros, Wine Guys, Yabos Tacos