On August 28 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed Senator Carole Migden’s bill that would have designated Zinfandel as the official “historic wine of California.”

“It would be a shame,” the governor wrote, “to effectively snub Syrah and spite Chardonnay.” Read the full decision here.

The original reasoning behind appointing Zinfandel was to acknowledge its success in California, having been cultivated there since Gold Rush days.

In his veto, Schwarzenegger wrote, “Whether it is a Cabernet from Napa or Sonoma, a delicate Pinot Noir from the Central Coast, a Zinfandel from the San Joaquin Valley or Sierra Foothills, California produces some of the finest wines in the world. California wines have inspired authors, artists and Oscar-winning motion pictures.”

While there was disappointment in the decision, Justin Boeger of Boeger Winery and the President of the Board of Zinfandel Advocates & Producers explained, “we feel that all the interest surrounding this bill from its inception to the veto has really drawn attention to Zinfandel and wine in general and its impact on our society. Hopefully, this entire discussion will encourage more people to explore the amazing world of wine and agriculture.”

Meanwhile, at the Café next door…

 Read California contributing editor Steve Heimoff’s humorous spin on this decision.

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