‘I Just Want a Zinfandel’ Takes Top Honors in Wine Spectator’s 2024 Video Contest

Steve Jacobson achieves a remarkable feat with his third consecutive victory at the Wine Spectator‘s annual reader video contest, attaining “Hall of Fame” status with his latest entry.

For the 2024 competition, Jacobson once again secured the top spot with his entry, “I Just Want a Zinfandel“, a creative parody based on the opening act of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s iconic musical Hamilton. This submission not only garnered the most viewer votes but also solidified his legendary status within the contest.

Choosing to spoof “Hamilton” was a natural decision for Jacobson’s final challenge, though other ideas like a nod to The Greatest Showman were considered. His inspiration sparked further when Jeffery Lindenmuth, executive editor of Wine Spectator, proposed the Hamilton connection during a previous award presentation. A fan of Miranda’s work, Jacobson felt motivated to tackle the challenging composition which he found fulfilling.

In contrast to his earlier entries, Jacobson personally performed the parody, although in previous years he had enlisted his nephews, Aaron and Adam, to contribute their vocal talents. Their performances in “Cabernet Tonight” and “Love the Wine You’re With” were memorable. This year, Jacobson and his son spent hours in the studio perfecting the song, an interesting role reversal from years past when Jacobson had directed his then-young son in a voiceover project.

For his winning submission, Jacobson has once again obtained two full weekend passes to Wine Spectator‘s New York Wine Experience. He vividly recalls his exhilarating time at the 2022 event. “Throughout my career, I’ve been around many celebrities without much awe,” Jacobson reflects. “But when it comes to winemakers, I’m completely starstruck. It’s thrilling to share space with over a thousand wine enthusiasts and to absorb knowledge directly from the experts—observing, learning, tasting, and mingling within this passionate community. I deeply admire the creativity and skill involved, and I respect those who master it.”

The other competitors also offered memorable contributions, such as the second-place entry, “The Fresh Prince of Rosé.” This entry spins the tale of Long Island winemaker Roman Roth, whose life transformed dramatically when he relocated from Germany to the Hamptons in 1988 to collaborate with Christian Wölffer at Wölffer Estate. Although new to the contest, Roth annually crafts a parody song for the staff’s holiday celebration, with 2023’s being “Wine on the Brain,” inspired by a visit from Rihanna. Roth humorously remarks, “My father used to say, if my wine ever turns to vinegar, I could always pursue Broadway.”

Creating the parody based on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme was a collective effort that included Roth’s assistant winemakers, the cellar team, local airport personnel, and even his bishop, contributing to the video’s royal introduction. “It was a purely local and organic production,” Roth explains. “Our aim was to demonstrate that New York wines are as competitive as the world’s best, yet we’re also about having fun and embracing liberty in contrast to traditional rigidities.”

In a different vein, the video that earned third place, “Family Legacy in Sonoma County,” explores the storied past of the Martinelli family, revered for their Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay and famed wines. The narrative, voiced by patriarch Lee Martinelli Sr., his son Lee Martinelli Jr., and winemaker Courtney Robinett Wagoner, is complemented by breathtaking aerial views showcasing their varied estates across Sonoma, from Jackass Hill’s steep inclines in the Russian River Valley to Wild Thyme Vineyard’s undulating terrain in the coastal Fort Ross–Seaview AVA.

“Family-owned and multi-generational companies in general, but specifically wineries, are becoming fewer and fewer,” says estate director Tessa Gorsuch, a member of the family’s fifth generation. “We also wanted to highlight that we’re farmers. That’s really where my family got started—being grapegrowers. We only keep about 10 to 12 percent of our grapes for our own production.”

Interspersed with shots of lush vineyards are scenes of four generations of Martinellis sitting together at a table, sharing a bottle of wine. “My grandfather [Lee Sr.] is 85 years old, and he still farms six days a week,” says Gorsuch. “The thing that makes him most happy is the future generations getting involved, and us having a sentimentality and a special connection to the land, because that’s how he grew up.” (You can read more about the family in our Sept. 30, 2023, cover story, “Martinelli: Family, Farming, Tradition.”)

The second- and third-place winners have both earned a pair of tickets to either an upcoming New York Wine Experience Grand Tasting evening or a Grand Tour tasting event, as did the other six 2024 video contest finalists. Catch them all, plus an additional five judges’ picks for honorable mentions, and find your own favorite.

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About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!