FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Julie Ann Kodmur, Zinfandel Advocates & Producers: 707-963-9632,
info@zinfandel.org

NEW BOARD MEMBERS FOR ZINFANDEL ADVOCATES & PRODUCERS
Announced at annual meeting July 27

Rough & Ready CA 2004---Zinfandel Advocates & Producers has a new slate of Officers and members of its Board of Directors, as announced at its annual meeting on July 20. For the fiscal year running from July 1, 2004 until June 30 2005, the President of the Board of Directors is Joel Peterson (Ravenswood Winery); Vice President is Julie Johnson (Tres Sabores); Treasurer is Richard Flores (Board member at large); Secretary is Justin Boeger (Boeger Winery). ZAP's Executive Director is Rebecca Robinson, based in Rough & Ready, California. Currently ZAP has approximately 300 winery members and 6,000 advocate members, and is the largest organization of its type.

"It's an exciting time for ZAP. For the first time the Mayor of San Francisco is recognizing the importance of Zinfandel with a proclamation celebrating our 14th Annual Festival by designating 'Zinfandel Grape Appreciation Week' January 24-29, 2005. In all of our many programs, we will seek to raise the recognition of Zinfandel to our diverse audiences," explains Joel Peterson, the new Board President.

The Board of Directors is voted upon by the membership to represent growing regions.
Central Coast Directors: Doug Beckett (Peachy Canyon Winery), Nancy Greenough (Saucelito Canyon Winery).
Central Valley: Betty Ann Spenker (Spenker Winery).
Greater Bay Area: Kent Rosenblum (Rosenblum Cellars).
Sierra Foothills: Justin Boeger (Boeger Winery).
Mendocino: Sam Gabrielli (Gabrielli Winery).
Napa: Robert Biale (Robert Biale Vineyards), Duane Dappen (D-Cubed Cellars), Julie Johnson (Tres Sabores).
Northern Sonoma: Donn Riesen (Ridge Vineyards), Grady Wann (Quivira Vineyards), Carol Shelton (Carol Shelton Wines).
Southern Sonoma: Joel Peterson (Ravenswood).
At Large Directors: Erin Cline (Trinitas Cellars), Richard Flores, Frank Ortega, Katie Quinn (Amador Foothill Winery), Bernie Scarinzi.

The Association of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers is a non- profit, educational 501(c)(3) organization. ZAP is dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history. Winegrowers, winemakers and wine enthusiasts combine to form the membership. The common focus is the preservation and recognition of Zinfandel as America's heritage wine. ZAP supports research and education about and into Zinfandel, including the Heritage Vineyard and the evaluation of Sierra Nevada Zinfandel selections (under the direction of UC Cooperative Extension).

Zinfandel Advocates & Producers reaches out to consumers and trade through an extremely active program of events and mailings. Upcoming is the 14th Annual Zinfandel Advocates & Producers Festival, January 26-29, 2005---which for the first time in the history of this event will take place entirely in San Francisco. ZAP travels throughout the U.S. and Europe (going to Germany in the spring of 2005). ZAP's efforts benefit The Heritage Vineyard Projects. ZAP also commissioned Zinfandel-specific recipes from chef Mark Dommen (Zinfandel BBQ Sauce, Spiced Zinfandel & Fig Compote and Zinfandel Chocolate Truffles); the recipes are available at www.zinfandel.org.

Visit www.zinfandel.org to join ZAP, research Zinfandel and more! Join ZAP now either online at www.zinfandel.org or by contacting P.O.B. 1487, Rough & Ready, CA 95975, telephone 530/274-4900.

#   #   #