Zinfandel (Primitivo) Grape Variety

Zinfandel (Primitivo)

Welcome to sunny California, where the black-skinned Zinfandel grape is in its element! Red Zinfandel has become a signature American wine and our friends across the pond are certainly the largest producers globally. But while some consider it to be an American varietal, the origins of Zinfandel are believed to lie in Croatia, where it’s known as “Tribidrag” or Crljenak Kaštelanski. Tribidrag travelled from Croatia to Italy in the 18th century, where its early-ripening nature earned it the name Primitivo. Primitivo became incredibly popular in Italy, particularly the region now known as Puglia, and the Italians still produce it to this day. The grape then travelled from Italy to America in the 19th century and the rest is history!