Foxglove Zinfandel

Foxglove Zinfandel is a Paso Robles red wine made from Zinfandel grapes, bottled at 14.0–14.3% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Varner Wine — the project of brothers Bob and Jim Varner — this bottling earned 90 points from Wine Advocate on its 2011 vintage, and the New York Times included it among its best wines under $20.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.0–14.3%  |  Origin: Paso Robles, California  |  Varietal: Zinfandel (some vintages blended with Petite Syrah)  |  Producer: Varner Wine

Production & Heritage

Varner Wine was founded by brothers Bob and Jim Varner, who built their reputation on Spring Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Santa Cruz Mountains before launching Foxglove as a value-driven label sourcing fruit from broader California appellations. For the Zinfandel, grapes are destemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks — a deliberate choice that preserves bright, focused fruit character rather than the heavier, oak-driven profile common in many Paso Robles Zinfandels. After pressing at dryness, the wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation. Some vintages incorporate up to 25% Petite Syrah for added structure and color depth.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet red cherry and ripe bramble fruit emerge first, followed by floral notes and a faint thread of tobacco. The stainless steel fermentation keeps everything lifted and aromatic rather than heavy.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward — black cherry and raspberry jam coat the palate with acid-driven brightness. Mid-palate, layers of leather and warm baking spice appear, balanced by a tangy freshness that prevents the ripe fruit from turning jammy. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied with surprising focus for a wine at this price tier.

Finish: Moderate in length, with a distinctive pink-peppercorn spice and hints of cedar and menthol trailing off. The finish stays clean and dry, with no residual sweetness.

How to Drink Foxglove Zinfandel

Serve at cool room temperature, around 60–65°F, to let the bright fruit and spice open up fully. A few minutes of air in the glass sharpens the aromatics considerably.

In cocktails, this Zinfandel's fruit intensity and tangy spine make it surprisingly versatile: a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) plays off the cherry-cola notes already present in the wine; a New York Sour benefits from the wine's bramble-fruit float and natural acidity; and a classic Sangria works well because the wine's ripe berry character and spice hold up against citrus and brandy without getting lost.

Best For

• Weeknight grilling — pairs naturally with burgers, ribs, and charred sausages
• Introducing someone to California Zinfandel without a steep price tag
• Hosting casual dinner parties where approachability and value matter
• Building a mixed case of everyday reds alongside more serious bottles

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Foxglove Zinfandel taste like? Foxglove Zinfandel is juicy and fruit-forward, dominated by ripe black cherry and raspberry flavors with supporting notes of leather, warm spice, and a tangy, peppery finish. The stainless steel fermentation gives it a brighter, more focused profile than many Paso Robles Zinfandels.

How does Foxglove Zinfandel compare to Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel? Both sit in the value tier of California Zinfandel, but their production paths diverge: Bogle Old Vine sees American oak aging that contributes vanilla and toast, while Foxglove relies on stainless steel to emphasize fresh fruit and acidity. The result is that Foxglove drinks lighter and more lifted, whereas Bogle tends toward a rounder, oak-influenced body.

Is Foxglove Zinfandel good for sipping on its own? Yes — the bright acidity and moderate tannins make it easy to drink without food, and the 14.0–14.3% ABV keeps it from feeling too hot. It rewards a slight chill to around 60°F to sharpen the fruit.

Where is Foxglove Zinfandel made? Foxglove Zinfandel is produced by Varner Wine, a California winery founded by brothers Bob and Jim Varner, using fruit sourced from Paso Robles on California's Central Coast.

What foods pair well with Foxglove Zinfandel? Barbecued pulled pork benefits from the wine's tangy cherry fruit cutting through smoky fat. Pizza with sausage and peppers mirrors the wine's spice notes. Aged cheddar complements its bramble-fruit sweetness. Lamb burgers with rosemary echo the herbal and peppery finish. Dark chocolate with a high cacao percentage pairs with the wine's underlying cedar tones.

What sizes does Foxglove Zinfandel come in? Foxglove Zinfandel is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Foxglove Zinfandel worth the price? Foxglove Zinfandel positions as a value-tier California Zinfandel that consistently punches above its weight — a 90-point Wine Advocate score and recognition from the New York Times and Food & Wine magazine as an exceptional bargain confirm it delivers quality well beyond its price bracket.

Why Foxglove Zinfandel?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of affordable California Zinfandels is Varner Wine's decision to ferment entirely in stainless steel. Where most producers at this price lean on oak to add complexity, the Varner brothers let the Paso Robles fruit speak clearly — and the result is a Zinfandel with uncommon brightness and definition. The 90-point Wine Advocate rating on the 2011 vintage validated an approach that prizes freshness over extraction. For drinkers who find many Zinfandels too jammy or heavy, Foxglove represents a different lane in the category — focused, spice-driven, and built for the table.