Z WINE
Barossa , South Australia
Brands
Z Wine, Rustica, Section 3146, Hedley & Audrey, Single Vineyard Series
Winery Overview
Z WINE is seriously dedicated to making some of Barossa Valley’s best wine. Z is for ZERK, a pioneering Barossa settler family in 1846.
Janelle and Kristen Zerk are fifth generation Barossans and are the only sister duo in the Barossa Valley who produce, own and operate their business. Their wines can proudly stand alongside many well-known wines – recently winning third to Penfold’s Grange in the 2018 WINESTATE International Shiraz Challenge and topping the Barossa Valley Grenache entries in the recent 2018 James Halliday national Grenache Challenge.
Awarded as a 5 STAR RED JAMES HALLIDAY rated winery & Best winery of regions – BAROSSA VALLEY (James Halliday Wine Companion) and CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE (The Real Review 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021)
Z WINE has five different labels and over 20 highly awarded wines are available to explore. This portfolio is made up from 12 different grape growers as the girls specialise in old vines and unique grape growing sites and stories.
A new Cellar Door and Wine bar in the main street of Tanunda is popular, offering regional produce and local live music to accompany the selection of distinct wines.
It is not only their mission to create high quality and enjoyable wines, but to share their history and knowledge of the area in a fun and inviting way. Their famous motto is #bespoiltlikeabarossan!
Janelle has a degree in Winemaking and Kristen has a degree in wine marketing, both achieved through the prestigious Adelaide University.
Available in
Canada, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, USA
Seeking Distribution in
Canada, Denmark, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, USA
Chief Winemaker/s
Janelle Zerk - Owner/ Winemaker
BAgSc (Oenology)
Winemaker Bio
Janelle has always had a natural affiliation with everything wine. She grew up playing and helping out on the family vineyard in the Barossa Valley, but has since spread her wings – putting herself through the prestigious Oenology degree at Adelaide University and completing a dozen vintages across Australia including St Hallett, Brokenwood and Mt View Estate (just to name a few…)
Three overseas vintages in Tuscany, Sonoma and Burgundy also compliment her expanding repertoire. Janelle now resides in the Barossa Valley where she continues to expand her dynamic Z WINE brand with business partner and Sister, Kristen Zerk.
Janelle has lots of great ideas and enthusiasm for the future and believes that there is also a parallel market that is spirited & looking for quality and authentic wines showing regionality and personality. The small company’s coveted flagship wine is the quintessential Barossa Valley [JULIUS] Shiraz. All of the wines are stylish and rich with soul.
Janelle was also a Wine Society “winemaker of the year” finalist in 2010 and is the current 2021 WINESTATE magazine "winemaker of the year"
