A small “super boutique” one-grape winery is what Zin Alley is all about. No pony rides here, and no you can find these wines anywhere else but at the winery.

 

The unpretentious tasting room is on a little knoll overlooking the rolling wooded hills of the Templeton Gap area off Highway 46. A row of Italian Cypress trees line the narrow road up to the winery. Drive behind the little house and you will see the Italian themed winery building with its covered patio and deck out in front. Inside there is Italian pottery and gourmet food items for sale. Zin Alley’s four wines, including their two late-harvest dessert wines, are available only in the tasting room. 

 

The winery’s artistic labels are inspired by the owners’ trips to Italy. Each label represents a different Tuscan alleyway and is painted by a Tuscan artist. The winery property was once part of the old Pesenti Estate with a winemaking history going back to the early 1970’s. The property changed hands within the family and is now owed by the grandson and his family. The family planted dry-farmed head pruned Zinfandel vines in 1996 and is now reaping the rewards from this difficult and low yielding vineyard.