We make unapologetic, site-specific wines that represent the land they come from. But at the end of the day, wine is best shared over a good meal with those you love. We just want you to have as much fun enjoying our wines as we do making them.
When it comes to wine, I’m more interested in the source than simply the end of the line. My passion for wine stems from the vine itself, the earth it comes from, and the fruit it produces. I’m lucky to be able to work with the Grand Crus of California’s Central Coast, all within a stone’s throw of my home in Santa Ynez. I pick at optimal ripeness and hand sort the fruit. I don’t muddy up the fruit with additives, colorings, or general bullshit. Small lot, whole cluster fermentation, co-ferments, and finding the proper balance of oak and time are part of the formula. The other part? Passion, love, authenticity, and the pursuit of the impossible—perfection.
Michael Zinke
We work with some of most esteemed vineyards along the Central Coast. These vineyards utilize the strictest viticulture practices, are manned by the best crews, and are ideal sites growing the varietals that we source from them.
Ballard Canyon Road, Solvang, CA
Ballard Fine Sandy Loam
2009
22.54
2900 (average)
Grenache, Roussanne, Syrah, Viognier
Certified organically farmed vineyard with meticulous high-end farming practices
Alisos Canyon Road, Los Alamos, CA
Chamise Shaly Loam
1991
42.03
2800 (average)
Chardonnay, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Syrah, Viognier
Sustainable farming practices with minimal pesticide and fertilizer use
Cat Canyon Road, Los Alamos, CA
Sandy Loam
1997
77
2500 (average)
Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Syrah, Viognier
Sustainable farming with cultural practices tailored to each client
Templeton Gap, Paso Robles, CA
Sedimentary & Alluvial Shaly Clay Loam
1998
88
3113 (average)
Syrah, Grenache
Sustainably farmed without the use of herbicides
Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Owner and Winemaker Michael Zinke grew up fly fishing, camping, and working on the family’s cattle ranch in Osage County. It was there that he developed his love affair with the land, it’s bounty, and working with his hands. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu, Michael moved to Santa Ynez to pursue his passion in winemaking. Michael founded Zinke Wine Co. in 2012. He currently lives in Santa Ynez with his wife Jacqueline, his Yellow Lab Bub, and her dog Mac.
Erin has been with Zinke since 2015 and has been playfully granted the nickname “headquarters” because she has taken on literally every job imaginable. The resident ginger and a business owner herself, Erin takes on every challenge head-on and has no comprehension of the word “quit.” In the understatement of the century, Erin is an avid Denver Bronco’s fan and her favorite wines are any vintage of Rosé and the 2014 Central Coast Grenache.
A Santa Ynez native, Elena runs our tasting room from top to bottom and is the smile that greets you when you walk through our doors. She knows our wines inside and out and makes every visit to the tasting room a memorable one. She currently has zero negative Yelp reviews, has never seen a single episode of Seinfeld, and her favorite wines are the 2018 Rosé and the 2014 Jack McGinley Syrah.
Geena has been working with wine for the last 13 years and will passionately tell you that wine is her life. Having experienced the Santa Barbara wine industry from many different angles, she has settled in as our General Manager very comfortably. Catch her chatting with customers about her latest wine and food pairing discovery, and cruising throughout our local vineyards in search of the next exciting wine. Geena will tell you that she “drinks wine seasonally,” which is a great way to avoid disclosing her favorite wine as it changes so frequently. As of today, it is the 2016 Central Coast Grenache, but we know that will change tomorrow.
Jenae caught the wine bug while attending college in Santa Barbara and dove head first into the industry. Unfortunately, she got sidetracked and fell into "boring, no fun sales." Now she is back to wine and happy to be working with the Zinke crew. Real people and real wine are two of the things she values most (some might say, bullshit free). Jenae grew up in California but she spent some formative years living in both Chicago and Boston which has left her with a weird mishmash of accents. She can like totally pahk the cah in time to catch da bears. Jenae can drink the Zinke 2018 Rose all day everyday and loves the 2015 Gypsy.