Passport to Zinfandel participant
The Zin Brothers of Healdsburg
One memorable view of Russian River Valley; six outstanding Zinfandels; three geodesic “Bucky domes” buildings; a picnic-friendly, family-owned environment – all done in the spirit of fun and tradition courtesy of the Cousins families, founders of Armida Winery. (Cou-Zins no less!)
For 25 years, Steve Cousins and his wife, Cyndi, and Bruce Cousins and his wife, Susan, have focused on producing wines from top vineyards across Sonoma County (and a couple beyond) with small-lot Zinfandels being a passion and a specialty.
Armida’s talented young Winemaker, Brandon Lapides, crafts Armida’s historic vineyard-sourced Zinfandels from the Maple, Italo’s, Tina’s Block, Il Campo Estate, and Goldmine vineyards; a rare, young-vine Parmelee Zinfandel from Sonoma Coast; and with an eerie twist of dark humor, blends a Zinfandel under Armida’s Poizin label, with its blood red skull and crossbones – Armida’s “wine to die for.” Magnums are even available in coffin boxes.
The geodesic dome icon on the Cousins’ label is a nod to the visionary Buckminster Fuller and signifies the complex interconnectedness of the world. The name Armida is the bewitching enchantress from an ancient Italian epic poem by Torquato Tasso that is emblematic of the ethereal nature of the Cousins’ wines.
Armida is located near the town of Healdsburg. From highway 101 in central Healdsburg, simply head west two miles on Westside Rd. Reservations are recommended. For an alternate plan to taste Zinfandels among sun, sand, and waves, Armida also features its wines at its second tasting room 70 miles south of San Francisco in the relaxed, quaint beach town of Capitola on Monterey Bay.
*Complimentary tastings for two for holders of a ZAP Passport to Zinfandel
