Manifesto Zinfandel

Manifesto Zinfandel is a 100% Zinfandel wine from Lodi, California, bottled at 13.9% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2013 vintage earned 91 points from Wine Enthusiast and a Silver Medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, distinguishing it as a serious Lodi Zinfandel that favors complexity over sheer power.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.9%  |  Origin: Lodi, California  |  Varietal: 100% Zinfandel  |  Producer: Manifesto Wine Cellars, Napa

Production & Heritage

Manifesto Wine Cellars operates out of Napa but sources its Zinfandel fruit from Lodi, one of California's most established Zinfandel-growing regions with old-vine heritage dating back generations. Where many California Zinfandels push toward 14–16% ABV with a dense, jammy character, Manifesto takes a deliberate counter-approach: the wine is built around a lower alcohol level and higher acid profile, resulting in a more structured, food-friendly expression. This philosophy emphasizes lively fruit complexity rather than extraction and residual sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with rich, floral notes of ripe blackberry and dark cherry pie, layered with rose petal and cassis. Secondary aromas of black tea, soft vanilla, and a subtle spice-driven oakiness emerge as the wine opens up in the glass.

Taste: On the palate, flavors of baker's chocolate, baking spice, and cedar unfold across a medium-bodied frame. Black cherry and blackberry carry through from the nose, supported by firm acidity that keeps the fruit focused and prevents the wine from tipping into heaviness. Fine-grained tannins provide grip without astringency, while a velvety viscosity gives the mid-palate real presence.

Finish: The finish is persistent, with lingering notes of smoke, dark spice, and ripe berry. That firm acid backbone keeps the close clean and balanced, inviting another sip rather than fatiguing the palate.

How to Drink Manifesto Zinfandel

Serve at 60–65°F to let the aromatics bloom without letting the fruit turn flat. This Zinfandel drinks well on its own but truly shines alongside food thanks to its higher acidity and moderate alcohol. A Zinfandel Smash (muddled blackberries, lemon, simple syrup, and a generous pour of Manifesto) plays off the wine's natural berry intensity. A red wine Sangria built on this Zin benefits from its spice and dark fruit complexity without becoming syrupy. For something unconventional, a chilled Kalimotxo (equal parts red wine and cola over ice) works surprisingly well here, as the wine's acidity cuts through the sweetness.

Best For

• Weeknight dinner pairing with grilled meats or barbecue
• Introducing friends to Lodi Zinfandel beyond the fruit-bomb stereotype
• Building a case of food-friendly California reds
• Gifting a wine drinker who appreciates balanced, medium-bodied reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Manifesto Zinfandel taste like? Manifesto Zinfandel delivers ripe blackberry and dark cherry layered with baker's chocolate, baking spice, and cedar, all framed by firm acidity and fine-grained tannins. It leans toward a balanced, medium-bodied style rather than the big, jammy profile typical of many California Zinfandels.

How does Manifesto Zinfandel compare to 7 Deadly Zins? Both are Lodi-sourced Zinfandels, but Manifesto runs notably lower in alcohol (13.9% versus the 15%+ range typical of 7 Deadly Zins) and prioritizes acidity and structure over richness and extraction. Drinkers who find full-throttle Lodi Zins too heavy will likely prefer Manifesto's more restrained approach.

Is Manifesto Zinfandel good for pairing with food? Yes — its higher acid profile and moderate alcohol make it one of the more food-friendly California Zinfandels available. It pairs naturally with grilled and roasted meats, tomato-based pastas, and dishes with warm spice profiles.

Where is Manifesto Zinfandel made? The wine is produced by Manifesto Wine Cellars, based in Napa, California, using Zinfandel grapes sourced from the Lodi appellation in California's Central Valley. Lodi is recognized as one of the state's premier Zinfandel-growing regions.

What foods pair well with Manifesto Zinfandel? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the wine's spice and acidity cut through the richness; wood-fired pizza with sausage and roasted peppers; lamb burgers with blue cheese; dark chocolate brownies that echo the baker's chocolate note on the palate; or aged cheddar, which plays well against the wine's tannin structure.

What sizes does Manifesto Zinfandel come in? Manifesto Zinfandel is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Manifesto Zinfandel worth the price? Manifesto positions as a mid-range California Zinfandel that punches above its weight — the 91-point Wine Enthusiast rating on the 2013 vintage and Silver Medal from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition suggest quality that competes with bottles at higher price tiers.

Why Manifesto Zinfandel?

In a category crowded with high-alcohol, heavily extracted Zinfandels, Manifesto stands apart by deliberately dialing back the power and turning up the structure. The 91-point Wine Enthusiast score validates that approach — the publication praised its "great texture," fine-grained tannins, and firm acidity alongside generous dark fruit. At 13.9% ABV, it sits well below the California Zinfandel norm and rewards drinkers who want fruit complexity without palate fatigue. For anyone looking for a Lodi Zinfandel that respects the grape's character without burying it under ripeness, this is a compelling bottle to explore.