Emilio -

While I love zin, I worry for you putting these heat-loving grapes out
there. Not that they won't grow, but that you'll be trying to figure
out why they still aren't ripe at Christmas.

Here's an idea - You could grow "colder" grapes (such as Pinot,
Chardonnay, or even Sauv Blanc or Riesling) where you are, and get a
trade arrangement with someone out there with a backyard vinyard in a
warmer area (such as Alexander Valley, Upper Sonoma or Napa Valley,
Lodi or Livermore) that has zin going.

Maybe that would help.

Rob