Where to being, when I’m helping legend Phyllis Zouzounis: Pioneer, Trailblazer, and Visionary of Sonoma County Winemaking? She’s as independent as any woman I’ve ever know, which includes my own tendencies, and I’m fierce. I learned this, when I began to construct her biography. This is where I first learned about her stellar journey.
Phyllis Zouzounis is a pioneering, female winemakers, in Sonoma County. In 1980, Phyllis began her winemaking career at Dry Creek Vineyard, in Healdsburg. In the world of wine, her story is a perfect example of how passion, education, and determination led to her fulfilling career. Phyllis had a friend who introduced her to the allure of wine, while living in San Francisco. They often tasted wines, ultimately leading to attending public wine events. This all happened before she moved north into Sonoma County.
Sonoma County in the Spring, taken in Russian River Valley.
In 1979, she followed her friend, when he decided to move to Sonoma County.. Once there, she dreamed about becoming a winemaker, because Sonoma County was appealing. Without that job and a lot of enthusiasm, she was determined, so she spent well over a year not giving up on her dream and pushing forward.
Phyllis Zouzounis’ Awakening
The Awakening
She awakened one day in 1980, and became determined to find that job. Phyllis went to Dry Creek Vineyards, where owner David Stare was. She told Dave her story, and he listened carefully. He saw her value, as they had an engaging time talking. He believed in her, and even though she didn’t realize she was in a job interview, he launched her career.
This was when Phyllis Zouzounis passionately began strategizing her entry into the wine industry, in 1980. She drove to Dry Creek Vineyards and owner David Stare was tending shop. He listened and understood her passion. It wasn’t an interview for a job, still he understood her passion and immediately hired her. She next attended tastings and networked with other wine professionals, expanded her knowledge and found inspiration. She confidently acted and laid a solid foundation for her successful transition into the wine business, with expert advice in hand.
Along with all her tasks of tasting room, then manager, to assistant winemaker, she also too courses at U.C. Davis Viticulture and Winemaking.. She even taught a winemaking course class at Santa Rosa Junior College.
Phyllis Zouzounis’ subsequent steps.
Subsequent Steps
In 1987, Phyllis Zouzounis and her former partner, Phyllis Zouzounis’ Duex Amis partner Jim Penpraze, set up Deux Amis Winery in Dry Creek Valley. Initially, they produced 100 cases of Zinfandel from a single vineyard. Over time, the winery expanded production to over 1,500 cases of Zinfandel, sourcing grapes from both Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys in Sonoma County. Jim retired in 2013, but Phyllis continues to lead the winery, now rebranded as Zouzounis Wines, and is still committed to producing award-winning wines. She performed enough tasks to realize she could strike out on her own.
From here, Phyllis Zouzounis then segued into winemaker and general manager at Mazzocco Sonoma. This is where she fell in love with both Zinfandel and growers. They took great interest in her curiosity, explaining all the elements of terroir. This education connected her dots between loving wine, appreciating soil, and a passion for producing wine from these empowering components.
Phyllis walking the vineyards, where she sources grapes.
Briefly: Zouzounis Wines
Further accomplishments: Winemaker for West Wines, next was Bedarra Vineyards, and Tre Ricci Wines in Dry Creek Valley. She also worked for Starlite Vineyards, in Alexander Valley. In 2016, she was the winemaker for Raymond Burr Vineyards in Raymond Burr Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley. The transformation at Deux Amis, morphed into Zouzounis Wines. This is where you will find her on Fridays and Saturdays, as the sole winemaker and owner of Zouzounis Wines, at Windsor’s Beverage District.
Today, Phyllis Zouzounis at her Zouzounis Wines tasting room, in Windsor’s Beverage District.
As you know, Phyllis is among California’s trailblazing women winemakers, and she has successfully managed a number of career-path and personal hurdles. I wondered if this piece is excerpted from a longer article you have written. I ask as the title is “Helping Legend Phyllis Zouzounis.” Helping in what way?
Also, there may be a typo in the first sentence: Where to being, when I’m helping legend…” perhaps it is to read “where to begin, when I’m helping legend…”
Hi, Lucia. helping her with public relations, for someone who has been a one woman band as a wine trailblazer.
I do know that the two of you have great history. For me, where to begin, is as her publicist, because her history is so stellar. She’s been very independent for a very long time, as you know. So for me, where to begin is more rhetorical. She’s not had anyone by her side with public relations, and she’s deep into it. She is incredibly talented as a winemaker, very humble, and so deserving of publicity.
I’ve been busy gathering everything I can, over her years in wine. It’s a very rich tapestry.