Earthquake Zinfandel

Earthquake Zinfandel is a full-bodied Lodi Zinfandel from Michael David Winery, bottled at a commanding 15.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2022 vintage earned 92 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the 2017 vintage captured a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition — a track record that speaks to consistent quality across releases.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15.5%  |  Origin: Lodi, Central Valley, California  |  Varietal: Zinfandel (with Petite Sirah)  |  Producer: Michael David Winery

Production & Heritage

Michael David Winery is a multi-generational family operation rooted in Lodi's warm-climate vineyards. The Earthquake name traces back to an old Lodi vineyard planted around the same time as the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake — winemaker Michael Phillips chose the name to reflect the wine's intensity and that historical connection. The blend is predominantly Zinfandel with a touch of Petite Sirah for added depth, aged for 18 months in a combination of American oak (77%) and French oak (23%), with roughly 80% of the barrels being new. This heavy oak regimen, paired with Lodi's naturally warm growing conditions, produces a rich, concentrated wine with generous extraction and bold structure.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with dark, ripe fruit — think olallieberry, black currant, and boysenberry — before giving way to layers of vanilla bean, sarsaparilla, and dried spice. A subtle floral-potpourri quality and a hint of maple syrup sweetness linger beneath the fruit.

Taste: On entry, the palate is immediately coated with jammy blackberry and baked plum compote, followed by a mid-palate surge of clove, tobacco leaf, and candied orange rind. The Petite Sirah component adds backbone, while flavors of raspberry cobbler and dark chocolate emerge as the wine opens up. Full-bodied and viscous, with suede-like tannins that provide grip without harshness.

Finish: Long and fruit-laden, with lingering notes of black licorice, nutmeg, and toasted vanilla. The warmth of the high alcohol is present but well-integrated, and the finish maintains a surprising thread of bright acidity that keeps it from becoming cloying.

How to Drink Earthquake Zin

This is a wine built for drinking at a slight chill — around 60–65°F — in a large-bowled glass that allows the dense aromas to open. Decanting for 30 minutes tames the oak and lets the fruit come forward. While Earthquake Zin is a sipping wine at heart, its bold profile lends itself to a few specific cocktail-style applications: a Zinfandel Sangria with muddled stone fruit and cinnamon, where the jammy richness carries through the added citrus; a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), where the wine's inherent sweetness and high alcohol stand up to the mixer without losing identity; or a Red Wine Spritz with sparkling water and an orange twist, which lightens the body while preserving the dark fruit character.

Best For

• Weekend barbecue pairings — the wine's bold fruit and smoke complement grilled meats naturally
• Gifting to red wine drinkers who favor big, concentrated California styles
• Building out a Lodi Zinfandel vertical tasting alongside other Michael David expressions
• Winter dinner parties where hearty, warming reds are in demand

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Earthquake Zin taste like? Earthquake Zin delivers an intensely jammy profile dominated by baked blackberry, plum compote, and raspberry cobbler, layered with vanilla, clove, tobacco, and dark chocolate from extended oak aging. It is full-bodied with rich, suede-like tannins and a long, spice-driven finish.

How does Earthquake Zin compare to 7 Deadly Zins? Both come from Michael David Winery, but Earthquake is considered the bigger, more refined sibling — described by reviewers as more elegant and chocolaty, while 7 Deadly Zins leans more aggressively spicy and fruit-forward. Earthquake also sees a higher proportion of new oak and carries a slightly higher ABV, resulting in a denser, more structured wine.

Is Earthquake Zin good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is primarily a sipping wine, best enjoyed in a large glass at cellar temperature with a brief decant to let the oak integration soften. Its 15.5% ABV delivers warmth and concentration that reward slow, attentive drinking.

Where is Earthquake Zin made? Earthquake Zinfandel is produced by Michael David Winery in Lodi, located in California's Central Valley. Lodi is one of America's most important Zinfandel-growing regions, known for warm days, cool delta breezes, and deep sandy-loam soils that favor old-vine Zinfandel.

What foods pair well with Earthquake Zin? Smoked tri-tip or beef brisket, where the wine's tannins and smokiness mirror the char; spicy barbecue ribs glazed with a sweet-heat sauce that echoes the wine's jammy fruit; aged cheddar or Gouda, which complement the vanilla and caramel oak notes; braised lamb shanks with rosemary, whose richness matches the wine's weight; and dark chocolate brownies, which harmonize with the cocoa and berry finish.

What sizes does Earthquake Zin come in? Earthquake Zinfandel is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Earthquake Zin worth the price? Earthquake Zinfandel positions in the mid-premium tier for Lodi Zinfandel, and its consistent 91–92 point scores from Wine Enthusiast alongside competition gold medals suggest strong value for a wine with this level of concentration, oak treatment, and aging.

Why Earthquake Zin?

What separates Earthquake from the crowded field of California Zinfandels is the combination of heritage, oak program, and critical consistency. The 18-month aging in 80% new oak — split between American and French barrels — gives it a layered complexity that many comparably priced Zinfandels lack. Multiple vintages have scored 91–92 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the 2017 vintage's Double Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition confirmed its standing among California's top Zinfandel values. For drinkers who want a bold, unapologetically full-throttle Zin with genuine depth and a compelling origin story, this is one of Lodi's most reliable bottles.