First they discovered that Zinfandel originates in Croatia, then they took the original Croatian Zin to California. The Croatian wine story continues...
As a connection for Croatian wine and the North American market, it could not be better...
Zinfandel, one of the iconic meaty reds on the American wine scene, beloved by many, but few knew of its origins.
Until 2001, when researchers from Davis University proved the DNA of this popular grape came from an area just outside the Dalmatian capital of Split in Croatia - Kastela.
What many knew as Zinfandel was 100% Crljenak Kastelanski, one of the 130 indigenous grape varieties of Croatia, and one in danger of dying out.
No longer. Since the discovery, the winemakers of Kastela have been busy replanting, and wine tourism in search of the 'Original Zin' is growing slowly. Check out our recent visit to the winemakers of Kastela for Google News here.
And a truly momentous day today, as the first known Crljenak Kastelanski has been planted in... California!
Taking the 'real' Zinfandel to California, our congratulations to Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Estate near Cupertino in California. Read the whole story here.
