Few wines embody the spirit of American winemaking quite like Zinfandel. While it shares its DNA with Italy’s Primitivo, Zinfandel’s story truly unfolds in California, where it has evolved into a symbol of heritage, craftsmanship, and regional pride.
Its bold personality, spicy fruit profile, and versatility have made it a staple among U.S. wine lovers—and as the 2025 Wine-Searcher ranking shows, passion for this grape remains as strong as ever.
This year’s Top 10 Zinfandel Wines highlight not only the best of California’s terroir but also the dedication of a handful of producers who have elevated this variety into a fine art. The list is dominated by wines from Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley, with only one entry hailing from Napa Valley—a testament to Sonoma’s cooler climate and its ability to produce Zinfandels with structure, balance, and complexity.
Top 10 Zinfandel Wines of 2025 (by Wine-Searcher)
1. Martinelli Jackass Hill Zinfandel
- Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
- Average Price: USD 164 (≈ EUR 152)
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Critic Score: 95 points
The undisputed champion of this year’s list, Jackass Hill is named after the steep, untrellised slopes first planted by Italian immigrants Giuseppe Martinelli and Luisa Vellutini in the late 19th century. The original old vines still produce fruit for this iconic Zinfandel, celebrated for its depth, concentration, and timeless elegance.
2. Hartford Family Winery Highwire Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel
- Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
- Average Price: USD 68 (≈ EUR 63)
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Critic Score: 93 points
Founded in 1994 by Jenny and Don Hartford, this estate has become synonymous with high-quality, small-lot wines. The Highwire Vineyard Zinfandel, made from some of California’s oldest vines, delivers layers of dark berry fruit, spice, and earthy complexity.
3. Martinelli Jackass Vineyard Zinfandel
- Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
- Average Price: USD 141 (≈ EUR 131)
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Critic Score: 94 points
Another standout from Martinelli, this Zinfandel is sourced from the historic Jackass Vineyard, offering a dense yet refined profile of blackberry, plum, and pepper, framed by supple tannins and great aging potential.
4. Hartford Family Winery Dina’s Vineyard Zinfandel
- Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
- Average Price: USD 70 (≈ EUR 65)
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Critic Score: 93 points
Limited in production and highly sought-after, Dina’s Vineyard Zinfandel exemplifies Hartford’s precision and terroir-driven approach. Expect richness balanced by freshness and minerality.
5. Hartford Fanucchi-Wood Road Vineyard Zinfandel
- Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
- Average Price: USD 60 (≈ EUR 56)
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Critic Score: 93 points
A “best value” among the top wines, the Fanucchi-Wood Road Zinfandel delivers exceptional character and concentration, proving that great Zinfandel doesn’t need to come at a premium price.
6. Turley Wine Cellars Hayne Vineyard Zinfandel
- Region: Napa Valley
- Average Price: USD 117 (≈ EUR 109)
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Critic Score: 93 points
The only Napa Valley entry in the list, Turley’s Hayne Vineyard Zinfandel is a benchmark wine. Established in 1993 by Larry Turley, the estate is renowned for its dedication to old-vine Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Aged in French and American oak, it offers power, spice, and remarkable depth.
7. Bedrock Wine Co. Carlisle Vineyard Zinfandel
- Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
- Average Price: USD 59 (≈ EUR 55)
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Critic Score: 93 points
Founded by Morgan Twain-Peterson in 2007, Bedrock Wine Co. champions old-vine vineyards across California. This Carlisle Vineyard Zinfandel, made from century-old vines, showcases vibrant fruit and purity of expression.
8. Carlisle Winery & Vineyards Carlisle Vineyard Zinfandel
- Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
- Average Price: USD 59 (≈ EUR 55)
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Critic Score: 93 points
From Mike and Kendall Officer, Carlisle Winery has earned acclaim for crafting Zinfandels that combine power with finesse. The Carlisle Vineyard bottling captures the region’s signature balance of fruit richness and acidity.
9. Carlisle Papera Ranch Zinfandel
- Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
- Average Price: USD 56 (≈ EUR 52)
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Critic Score: 93 points
This wine hails from the historic Papera Ranch, known for its old-vine plantings and deep, spicy fruit. With its fine balance and moderate pricing, it stands out as one of the best value Zinfandels on the market.
10. Carlisle Montafi Ranch Zinfandel
- Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
- Average Price: USD 62 (≈ EUR 57)
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Critic Score: 93 points
Completing the top 10, Montafi Ranch Zinfandel offers a perfumed, elegant style with notes of raspberry, licorice, and pepper—an outstanding representation of Sonoma’s terroir and Carlisle’s craftsmanship.
Zinfandel: America’s Heritage in a Glass
What makes Zinfandel so deeply cherished in the United States is not only its bold, fruit-forward profile but its symbolic identity. Despite its Italian roots as Primitivo, it was in California that Zinfandel became truly American—a grape that tells the story of immigration, adaptation, and reinvention.
From Martinelli’s 19th-century vineyards to Turley’s cult status and Hartford’s refined expressions, this year’s list proves that Zinfandel remains one of the most characterful and accessible fine wines in the U.S. With prices ranging from USD 56 (≈ EUR 52) to USD 164 (≈ EUR 152), the value-to-quality ratio remains one of the most attractive in the premium wine world.
In a landscape increasingly defined by innovation and heritage, Zinfandel continues to stand as America’s signature red—robust, generous, and unashamedly unique.
Source: Wine-Searcher