Alexander Valley Vineyards Redemption Zinfandel

Alexander Valley Vineyards Redemption Zinfandel is a 100% Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley, California, bottled at 750ml with an ABV that ranges from 14.5% to 16.1% depending on vintage. The 2017 vintage earned a Gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, confirming this as one of Sonoma County's reliable Zinfandel values.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5–16.1% (varies by vintage)  |  Origin: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California  |  100% Zinfandel  |  Winery: A.V.V. Winery Co., LLC

Production & Heritage

Alexander Valley Vineyards, situated on the historic Cyrus Alexander homestead in Sonoma County, has been operated by the Wetzel family since its founding in 1975. Redemption Zinfandel sources fruit from Dry Creek Valley, an AVA celebrated for producing Zinfandels with distinctive briary and brambly character. The wine is made from 100% Zinfandel grapes and aged in oak barrels, allowing the robust varietal expression of Dry Creek terroir to come through without dilution from blending partners.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark berry fruit—blackberry and blueberry—leads the nose, followed by layers of black pepper, vanilla, and baking spice. Beneath that initial fruit, subtle cola and chocolate notes emerge as the wine opens.

Taste: The entry is ripe and concentrated, with jammy raspberry and cherry flavors giving way to a mid-palate of dark chocolate, currant, and cinnamon spice. Lively acidity keeps the wine balanced despite its robust body, and peppery spice builds through the progression. Cola and herbal notes add complexity at the peak.

Finish: Medium to long, with smooth tannins carrying lingering plum, menthol, and black pepper. A subtle sweetness from vanilla oak rounds out the close without turning cloying.

How to Drink Redemption Zinfandel

Given its intensity and layered fruit, Redemption Zinfandel shows best at cellar temperature (60–65°F), poured into a large-bowled glass to let the aromatic complexity unfold. It drinks well on its own or with food.

• Classic Zinfandel Sangria: The jammy fruit and spice make a bold base for a red sangria with citrus and cinnamon.
• Kalimotxo: The robust body and cola notes already present in the wine create a surprisingly harmonious pairing with cola over ice.
• Mulled Wine: The existing cinnamon, clove, and dark fruit profile means this Zinfandel needs minimal added spice when warmed.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues featuring smoked ribs, brisket, or tri-tip
• Introducing Zinfandel lovers to Dry Creek Valley terroir
• Pairing with hearty winter meals like braised short ribs or stew
• Gifting a red wine enthusiast who appreciates bold, fruit-forward California reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Redemption Zinfandel taste like? Redemption Zinfandel is a bold, fruit-driven red dominated by jammy blackberry, raspberry, and cherry, layered with dark chocolate, cola, black pepper, and vanilla spice. Lively acidity and smooth tannins keep it balanced despite its full body.

How does Redemption Zinfandel compare to Sin Zin? Both are 100% Zinfandels from Alexander Valley Vineyards, but Redemption sources fruit specifically from Dry Creek Valley, giving it a more briary, brambly profile compared to Sin Zin's broader Alexander Valley character. Sin Zin tends to emphasize ripe, approachable fruit, while Redemption leans into a more rugged, peppery expression of the grape.

Is Redemption Zinfandel good for sipping neat? Yes—its smooth tannins, lively acidity, and layered dark fruit make it well-suited for drinking on its own, especially when served slightly below room temperature to tame the higher alcohol.

Where is Redemption Zinfandel made? Redemption Zinfandel is produced by Alexander Valley Vineyards (A.V.V. Winery Co., LLC), a Wetzel family-owned estate in Sonoma County, California, using grapes grown in the Dry Creek Valley AVA.

What foods pair well with Redemption Zinfandel? Smoked baby back ribs complement the wine's peppery spice and jammy fruit. Aged cheddar or Manchego echoes its vanilla and dark fruit notes. Lamb burgers with rosemary match its herbal undertones. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the wine's cocoa finish. Pizza with Italian sausage and roasted peppers stands up to its bold body.

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

Is Redemption Zinfandel worth the price? Redemption Zinfandel positions as an accessible, mid-range Zinfandel that consistently punches above its weight—evidenced by multiple Gold medals at recognized competitions. For a 100% varietal Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, it delivers considerable complexity and intensity relative to its price tier.

Why Redemption Zinfandel?

Dry Creek Valley is one of California's definitive Zinfandel regions, and Redemption captures the briary, brambly intensity the AVA is known for without the premium price tag of single-vineyard bottlings. Gold medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge across multiple vintages speak to consistent quality rather than one-off success. The decision to bottle as 100% Zinfandel—no Petite Sirah or other blending grapes—lets the varietal and the terroir stand unmasked. For drinkers who want an honest, full-throttle Dry Creek Zinfandel from a family-owned Sonoma estate with nearly five decades of history, Redemption delivers exactly that.