ZD is Socializing - Internet Style

It always seemed to me that being social and using the internet to socialize were on opposite ends of the communication spectrum. The internet being reserved for the nerds too shy and awkward to make it in the real world. However, it seems that the tables have turned and that the “place to be” is on the internet, using sites like Facebook and others to achieve your social networking dreams.

I suppose that I was a late bloomer with this social networking phenomenon. Being that I am the “3rd Generation” of the deLeuze family at ZD and being in my mid 20’s, once I finally got signed up with Facebook, I found that the majority of my friends were there waiting for me to join the party.

The real reason that I finally made my own Facebook page was because the ZD Wines page that I wanted to create needed an administrator. However, once you enter the world of Facebook, the more friends (or fans in ZD’s case) you have, the cooler you are. So the race was on not only to make Facebook friends of my real life friends, but to get a quality ZD page going so that I would be able to build a group of ZD fans who were on Facebook. As of right now, the friend/fan score is Brandon - 63, ZD – 86.

The ZD Wines Facebook page has turned out to be a success, and I suspect that it will become more useful as more people become aware of it. I post all of our upcoming events on the page, as well as give little updates about interesting things that are happening around the winery. If you have a moment, check out the facebook site, let us know what you think about the site, and if you are a fan of our wines, become a fan of our page!

- Brandon deLeuze, Assistant Winemaker

40th Harvest Celebration!

We hope to see many of you this Saturday (12 to 4pm) in Rutherford as we celebrate forty years of winemaking. You will be greeted with Hog Island Oysters and a taste of Rosa Lee Gewurztraminer at the door. Older vintage big bottles and wonderful pairings will be shared throughout our cellars.

In our vineyard view room we will be pouring ZD 2006 Chardonnay and and a 3 liter of the ZD 1996 Chardonnay. These two wines will be paired with Olive Oil Poached Halibut with Saffron Aioli. Our 1996 Chardonnay recently won a San Francisco Vintners Club blind tasting against Top White Burgundies including:

First Place ZD 2006 Chardonnay, CA
Puligny-Montrachet, Les Clavoillons, Premier Cru, Gerard Chavy
Corton-Charlemagne, Grand Cru, Albert Bichot
Chassagne-Montrachet, “Boudriotte”, Premier Cru, Ramonet
Corton-Charlemagne, Grand Cru, Albert Bichot
Meursault-Genevrieres, Premier Cru, Francois Jobard

Now it’s time to go down to the crush pad and enjoy the new release of our 2007 Pinot Noir, Carneros and a taste of 1998 Pinot Noir, Carneros from a 3 liter paired with Mini Sage Duck Burgers on Gougere with a Bing Cherry Relish! Sip a little ZD Pinot with live music and a view of Napa Valley.

How about dessert and a little ZD Cabernet? Walk through our cool barrel room to the kitchen for a little chocolate short bread layered with Carmalized Pecans and a Dark Chocolate Ganache both paired with our 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. Life is good.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Brett deLeuze
President / Partner

Back in January we received an email from Monsieur Laurent Peugeot, the French Chef from Le Charlemagne Restaurant in Burgundy. Monsieur Laurent let us know that he tasted our Chardonnay at Nobu in NY and was interested in bringing the wine into his restaurant. We let Monsieur Puegeot know that we do not have a distributor in France but our distributor in London might be able to provide him the wine.

Voila! Today we received an email from Douglas Harrison our English distributor. “OK, we’ve made our first export of Californian wines to France. Never, ever could have imagined I would be selling Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to the Burgundians !!!” ZD Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are being served at Le Charlemagne Restaurant in Burgundy. Douglas included a picture of he and Monsiuer Laurent holding a bottle ZD Reserve Pinot with wine glasses in hand.

As our family prepares for our 40th harvest, we are honored to know our wines are being served in both the Country of our forefathers and where Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were first made famous. We thank Monsieur Peugeot for offering our wines at Le Charlemagne and look forward to a time when we can enjoy the experience first hand!

Brett deLeuze
President / Partner

ZD Reserve Chardonnay & THE Lobster

Should you be so fortunate to visit Santa Monica in your summer travels, a stop to the historic Santa Monica Pier is a must. Built in 1909, the pier hosts a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round and numerous retail shops to entertain anyone.

Really though, any food/wine lover will be more enthusiastic to visit the restaurant at the entrance of the pier. Greeting locals and tourists alike on Ocean Avenue is none other than The Lobster! Regardless of whether or not you take a spin on the carousel, you must visit one of the most stunning restaurants around. Serving classic American seafood, guests sitting at any seat in the restaurant or bar can enjoy 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean while dining on fresh Maine Lobster, Big Eye, Artic Char or John Dory.

For as long as I’ve worked at ZD, a highlight to working the LA market is sitting at The Lobster sipping a glass of wine and enjoying an appetizer while taking in the spectacular view (okay and people watching). Fortunately, now everyone can enjoy sipping a refreshing glass of ZD 2006 Reserve Chardonnay. With high hopes, I made a special trip to meet and taste with The Lobster’s Beverage Director, Mr. Francesco Ferrario. He runs a stellar wine program which ZD is very excited to be a part of now. Not only did Francesco like our wines but he thought with the great acidity and elegant minerality, our Reserve Chardonnay would pair well enough with their food to offer it by the glass! Most recently, our ZD Reserve Chardonnay made the perfect companion with their Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and Seared Day Boat Scallops with shrimp bisque sauce.

This restaurant is an unofficial historical landmark and serves some of the best seafood in California now along with (in my opinion) one of the best Chardonnays in California too! By the way, ZD is celebrating our 40th Harvest this fall... does that make us an 'unofficial historical landmark' also?

Kendra Gillette

Regional Sales Manager