Welcome to the Zo Wines blog, here is where we will be highlighting events and news from around the winery.
So long from the orignal Zo Wines team!
Dear Zo Wines Lovers,
As we raise a glass to the new year, we bring news that both warms and saddens our hearts.
AWARD WINNING!!!!
We're thrilled to announce that our 2019 Zinfandel Winemaker's Select and 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon - Battle Family Vineyards have both clinched the prestigious Double Gold awards at the SF Chronicle Wine Competition! To celebrate, you can now enjoy these award-winning wines at a remarkable 50% discount when you purchase a case. Discover all our accolades here.
Alongside this celebratory note, we also share a bittersweet announcement. After more than a decade of growing and crafting unique, food-friendly wines with moderate alcohol content at our Sonoma County estate, Zo Wines will be closing at the end of March 2024.
Since our inception in 2012, we held a cherished vision: to cultivate diverse estate grapes and transform them into exceptional wines that paired beautifully with food. We envisioned a haven where guests could not only indulge in our creations but also immerse themselves in the beauty of rural Sonoma County, through our "Stay, Taste, Learn, and Explore" concept.
For over five years, we diligently pursued the necessary permits to expand our business and establish a vibrant hub for wine experiences. However, despite our unwavering efforts, we faced well-funded opposition from individuals against small, family-run wineries, coupled with a lack of support for winery tasting events. We explored various alternative paths, but ultimately, with the ever-present challenge of climate change, we concluded that consistently cultivating the grape varieties we cherish, which define our signature wine styles, would be increasingly difficult.
Therefore, with heavy hearts, we have made the difficult decision to close Zo Wines at the end of March 2024.
To our treasured wine club members, words cannot express the depth of our gratitude. Over the years, it has been an immense privilege to get to know each of you and share our passion for wine with such a discerning community.
As we prepare to wind down, we encourage you to stock up on your favorite Zo Wines before they're gone forever. We're extending a special 50% discount on all wine purchases of 12 or more bottles (750ml) or 6 or more magnums (1.5L). As always, case orders come with complimentary shipping. For smaller quantities, your regular club discounts and shipping rates will apply. Simply visit our website here, where all discounts will be automatically applied at checkout.
Our website will remain operational until February 29th, or until our wine inventory is completely depleted, whichever comes first. Wine shipments will commence as weather permits, with the goal of completing all deliveries by March.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your unwavering support throughout our journey. We wish you all the very best in the years to come.
With heartfelt sincerity,
David Eckert, Zo Wines winemaker and owner (retiring)
New Releases - We have a robust pipeline of new wines coming out in the next 2 years. Here is what's new now or coming soon:
Half of our proceeds go to 3 local charities until end of May.
Yesterday, California Governor Gavin Newsom asked all bars and similar venues to close voluntarily to start flattening the curve of Coronavirus cases.
We will continue to put the safety of our team, our customers, and our community above all else.
Effective immediately we are taking measures to eliminate group and individual physical interactions with our guests and betwen guests to help flatten the curve of the spread of the virus. We have discontinued all mixed groups and hosted wine tasting experiences. In their place we have implemented private and hostless wine tasting experiences for our guests. We will continue to operate farmstay overnight accomodations for those in need, winery operations and operations for hostless tastings, video based virtual tastings, drive-thru pick up, online, telephone, and email ordering, processing, and shipping.
As long as our shipping partners are able to operate, for any new customer orders of 6+ bottles, the shipping will be covered in the price of the wine so you can enjoy them at home.
If you would like to learn how you can still enjoy Zo Wines wine tasting experiences, while behaving appropriately and socially distant, or have any questions, send us an email at info@zowines.com, give us a call or message us at 707-794-6060.
Thank you for your understanding and support and please find ways to support the hospitality industry in responsible and socially distant ways.
Please stay safe and healthy.
David Eckert
Owner/Grower/Winemaker Zo Wines
We have created a private, host-less, self directed wine tasting experience and it could not come at a more important time!
Our virtual wine tasting experience can be done at our winery in a private and beautfiul setting of Dry Creek Valley, or in the comfort of your own home.
We prepare the wines, tasting notes, and a video to guide you through your tasting experience that can viewed on a smartphone, computer, tablet, or smart TV. If your able to come to our site, we prepare the setting, pre-pour the wines and set everything up for you to come, relax and enjoy a self guided tasting with all the social distance you need. We are here to support you, but we will give you the space you need. You can taste, learn, enjoy, buy and take out wine without any physical contact with anyone if that is your desire.
If at home, you order the kit, and we send the wine to you along with instructions on how to set it up, and get access to the videos or even a live feed to our staff if schedules permit. All you need are some wine glasses, wi-fi access, a smart device or computer, and ideally some friends to share the experience.
Contact us for details and we can set you up with your own socially distant and appropriate tasting experience at Zo Wines, or a self directed virtual remote wine tasting experience at your home.
David
To Our Valued Members and Guests,
Our priority is the health and safety of our guests, community and employees at Zo Wines. We would like to share some information regarding our efforts to continue to operate safely as it relates to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
To minimize the spread of the disease, we have implemented a number of preventive measures as recommended by the World Health Organization at the Zo Wines Estate,Tasting Lounge & guest rooms.
Preventive Measures at Zo Wines:
Social Distancing - All our experiences are by appointment and each group that makes an appointment will be privately seated and not mixed with other groups.
Avoid large gatherings - We have limited our interactions to smaller groups of no more than 15 people at a time.
Heightened Cleaning - We have increased time spent servicing tasting areas and in between seatings to ensure cleanliness and proper disinfecting of all surfaces.
Drive Thru and Delivery - We will also be offering drive thru pick-up service to any guests who would like to pick up wine, but limit physical interactions. We will bring the wine out to your car in the parking lot. To schedule a pick up, please call (707) 794-6060 and our team will assist you with your request. You may also purchase wine online to be shipped to you directly - please visit our online store to purchase our award-winning wines.
Cancelations - Any cancelations after our 5 day prior to arrival policy will be allowed to be rebooked for up to 1 year (at equivalent day rate) or swapped for an equivalent value in wine.
Recommended Guests Precautions:
Stay Home with Any Mild Symptoms - We ask that anyone with symptoms avoid visiting Zo Wines Estate, but we sure hope you will be able to visit after you have fully recovered.
Proper Hand-Washing Practices - Frequently and thoroughly wash hands properly with soap in any of the sinks located on the property.
Practice Respiratory Hygiene - Cover mouth and nose with tissues available at the winery when coughing or sneezing and dispose immediately. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap after coughing or sneezing.
Zo Wines will continue to monitor Coronavirus (COVID-19) closely. We thank you for your continued support and for your help to keep our community and employees safe.
We look forward to hosting you all soon,
The Zo Wines Team