Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara
$25 (Wine Club Reorder Price: $22)
Zinke is a small winery located in Southern California in Los Olivos (a small area within Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara). They focus on making Rhone style wines from the Central Coast and being a down-to-earth, bullshit-free winery. Their attitudes exude this lifestyle and so do their wines! Their wines are free from additives and they strive to let the grapes express themselves in your glass.
Michael Zinke was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma and attributes his deep connection to the land from his childhood. Whether it was fly fishing with dad or cooking in the kitchen with mom, he was raised to be a good steward of the land. Now, having graduated from Le Cordon Bleu, he applies those values to his winemaking. In 2012 he founded Zinke and sources grapes from top vineyards all over the Central Coast of California.
McKenna Giardine has been working wine harvests all over the world since 2013. Back in 2016 she landed her first assistant winemaker gig at E11even Wines and now is the head winemaker for Zinke. Her minimalist style of winemaking (I’m going to guess she learned those techniques while in Australia) and her passion for Rhone varieties made her the perfect match for Zinke.
Personally, I think the Zinke wines are amazing values. For only $25/bottle I think this needs to be everyone’s summer go-to. This crisp white blend showcases the softer side of Marsanne, Viognier, and Grenache Blanc. Subtle white flowers and straw tease your nose while the silky palate fills your mouth with notes of grilled pineapple, freshly baked brioche buns, Fuji apples, cantaloupe melon, and herbs. 49% Marsanne, 29% Viognier, 22% Grenache Blanc. Pair with something light like an apple and goat cheese salad.
Taylor Morgan – April 2021
Bacchus & Venus Wines 