Barbara Jackson, Volunteer Coordinator

It doesn't seem like a very long time ago. I was reading the newsletter from Ridge Vineyards, and noticed a small item on the bottom of the last page. It introduced a new organization that was dedicated to enhancing the knowledge and enjoyment of Zinfandel. They were seeking new members, and for a relatively small amount of money offered a nifty T-shirt, and promised invitations to Zinfandel related events.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, and as things would turnout, it was.

Those early years (my membership number was 214) remind me in many ways of the recent emergence of the cyberwine community. The organization served as a magnet that attracted folks with a common interest and passion who otherwise might never have met each other.

While ZAP would not exist without the efforts and support of the wineries, and the hard work of the Executive Director and a core of key people, I think everyone would agree that the heart and soul of ZAP is its cadre of volunteers. This started out as a small committee, and has grown into a small army.

Jerry Rose, volunteer

Although the January tasting is clearly our highest profile event, there are dozens of other events throughout the year that draw these folks together and contribute to the strong sense of camaraderie. Volunteer meetings are held four times a year, and even though some business is transacted, it is quickly attended to, and the real business of the day is addressed: the pot luck supper, and the bewildering array of Zinfandels to taste (each volunteer brings a bottle).

During the summer, each Zinfandel growing region hosts a weekend of special winery events, including vertical tastings, barbecues, vineyard tours and special dinners. Familiar faces from the volunteer corps are always present.

Many of these folks have become good friends (it's easy to befriend someone after you have washed a few thousand glasses together), and there is a host of wonderful memories:

   A barrel making demonstration at Demptos Napa Cooperage, followed by a tasting illustrating the influence of oak on identical wines, then a wonderful supper accompanied by 60 different Zinfandels (including a 1974 reserve from Sutter Home that was absolutely wonderful).

   Paul Draper pouring a vertical of Geyserville at a special ZAP event at the upper winery accompanied by course after course of wonderful grilled foods from the BBQ Boys.

   A half-dozen winery owners and winemakers manning the grills to prepare a sunset supper for us on Quivira's patio in the Dry Creek Valley.

   Joel Peterson scaling a small mountain of barrels to give us tastes of all his new Zinfandels.

   Jerry and Sigred Seps pouring their older reserves from magnum as we sat in their grove of redwood trees enjoying spit roasted lamb.

   Kent Rosenblum inviting us all to his vineyard in Sonoma County for a special volunteers' lunch.

The list goes on and on, as will this organization. It takes hundreds and hundreds of volunteer hours to plan and execute the big tasting, but we do it gladly. It seems a small price to pay for the pleasures and joy of sharing some of our favorite wines with some of our favorite people.

I'll look for you this summer.

Allan Bree, califusa