Santa Barbara Winery Releases Obscure ZCS 2008 Blend

The winery’s unique Zinfandel, Carignane, and Sangiovese mix offers a rich, dark flavor profile.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Santa Barbara Winery has released its 2008 ZCS blend, a unique combination of 60% Zinfandel, 24% Carignane, and 16% Sangiovese grapes sourced from 50-year-old vines in Lodi, California. The wine is described as highly aromatic with full black cherry notes, offset by the depth of the Carignane. While initially a bit high in acidity, the wine smooths out after some aeration to reveal an earthy, brambly flavor profile.

Why it matters

Blended wines like the ZCS offer wine enthusiasts a chance to explore more obscure and lesser-known grape varietals and combinations. The Santa Barbara Winery’s commitment to sourcing fruit from old vines also adds an extra layer of complexity and character to the wine.

The details

The 2008 ZCS blend from Santa Barbara Winery is made up of 60% Zinfandel, 24% Carignane, and 16% Sangiovese grapes. All of the fruit is sourced from the 50-year-old vines of the Wild Rose Vineyard in Lodi, California. Winemaker Bruce McGuire crafted the wine to be highly aromatic with prominent black cherry notes, which are balanced by the depth and structure provided by the Carignane. While initially high in acidity and feeling almost carbonated, the wine smooths out considerably after an hour of aeration, developing an appealing earthy and brambly flavor profile.

  • The 2008 ZCS blend was released by Santa Barbara Winery in 2026.

The players

Santa Barbara Winery

A California winery known for producing unique blended wines that highlight lesser-known grape varietals.

Bruce McGuire

The winemaker at Santa Barbara Winery who crafted the 2008 ZCS blend.

Wild Rose Vineyard

The Lodi, California vineyard that supplied the 50-year-old Zinfandel, Carignane, and Sangiovese grapes used in the 2008 ZCS blend.

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What they’re saying

“ZCS - the letters stand for the blend, Zinfandel, Carignane and Sangiovese. 60% Z, 24% C and 16% S, it’s an obscure blend, to be sure. I like ‘em that way.”

— Randy Fuller, Wine Reviewer (nowandzin.com)

The takeaway

The Santa Barbara Winery’s 2008 ZCS blend showcases the winery’s commitment to exploring unique grape combinations and sourcing fruit from old vines, resulting in a complex and distinctive wine that offers wine enthusiasts the opportunity to expand their palates.