Zinfandel or Primitivo is a very versatile grape variety that can produce wines of many different styles including more light to medium bodied, elegant style reds, sweet style rose’s and rich full-bodied reds. Zinfandel is a relative newcomer to Australia, although it’s been grown in Europe for centuries. It originates from Croatia where it is known as either Crljenak Kaštelanski or Tribidrag, In Italy it has been grown since the 18th century where it is called Primitivo. Zinfandel is very popular in the USA, where it is the third most planted grape variety after Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The most commonly recognised region for Zinfandel is California where it is generally made in a jammy, rich and high alcohol style or as a sweet rosé known as, White Zinfandel.
Although not as common across Australia and in particularly the Barossa Valley, the variety grows extremely well in our climate. We believe that Zinfandel is best suited to a medium bodied wine that allows the fruit forward and spicy nature of the variety to shine.