Wine Tasting Spots
Lodi's Wine Trail
Tucked 35 miles south of Sacramento and 90 miles east of San Francisco, is an irrefutable sense of small town community in Lodi, Despite the emphasis on all things agricultural, the 52,000 residents enthusiastically support music, arts, entertainment anexploding wine community. The weather tends to be kinder than neighboring Stockton and Sacramento, especially during the hotter summer months, where the days are warm, but temperatures commonly dip 30 degrees or so at night thanks to merciful breezes flowing in from the Sacramento Delta. Lodi is a mighty fine place to visit, and if you spend time talking to any local, to call home.
For folks who don’t want the high prices or crowds of Napa or Sonoma, but want to explore a grape-growing gem well on its way to becoming a significant wine destination will want to spend a day or two sampling wines along Lodi's wine trail.
Lodi is home to dozens of wineries, hundreds of labeled wines, and thousands of acres of premium wine grapes. Pick up a map for the Lodi Wine Trail at the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center. Hands-on educational displays teach about wine soils, growing techniques and types of wines the region enjoys. Reward your (ahem) diligent wine studies, with a flight of Lodi’s best, a steal at $3 each. On a recent visit, they featured Unusual Whites, Rhone Reds and Red Zinfandels.
When in Lodi, it’s a must to stop at the roadside digs of Michael-David Winery. They make great wine for the varietals and price points, including a surprisingly good Cabernet—a definite challenge considering the growing climate. The country store sells picture-perfect produce, cheese, meats and cold wine to go. Stay and dine at their quaint café, which features comfort food with the freshest of local ingredients, much of which is grown onsite. East Coast transplant, Joe Berghold of Berghold Winery is producing some of the best wines to cross my lips in Lodi. His philosophy, to “let the chips fall where they may” steers clear of blending and discourages manipulation of the product. The results are beautifully made European style wines—the Syrah is a steal at $15, and the Late Harvest Viognier ($24/half bottle) is a close second. Styled after expensive Sauternes, Berghold’s version uses Viognier grapes instead of traditional Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. His opulent tasting room is a retail extravaganza for antique aficionados—he sells refurbished armoires from Pennsylvania, handbags by celebrity cult designer Mary Francis and ornate silver wares. A visit to Jessie’s Grove Winery isn’t complete without being captivated by the meticulously researched storytelling of Wanda Woock Bechthold (Jessie’s granddaughter, co-owner and historian). History buffs will go gaga for the extensive photo documentation of the property dating back to the late 1800’s. A barn on the edge of the oak grove out back houses the Joseph Spenker Museum, which includes original farm equipment and more photos. It’s easy to get distracted from the wine, so be sure to grab a glass of their flagship wine, Earth, Zin & Fire before you get caught up in the history. It’s a family affair at Vino Con Brio. Daughter and young marketing dynamo, Anne Matson, helps run the winery, which specializes in Mediterranean-style varietals, with business-savvy dad, Mike. Mom, Renae runs the charming 4-room bed and breakfast, Amorosa Inn & Gardens, a popular site for folks from Sacramento to get hitched. Finish up the day at Woodbridge Winery where you can take a tour and taste some of their limited quantity wines sold only at the winery, such as their Barbera, Muscat and Portacinco, a port style wine made from traditional Portuguese varieties. After a long day of putting your palate to work, you’ll want to swing by the deli case, grab some gourmet goodies, sprawl out on their picnic grounds and relax on what is bound to be a beautiful, sunny Summer day in Lodi.
If You Go:
Berghold Winery, 17343 N. Cherry Rd., (888/553-WINE), Jessie’s Grove Winery, 1973 W. Turner Rd. (877/888-8448), Lodi Wine & Visitor Center, 2545 W. Turner Rd. (209/367-4727), Michael-David Winery, 4590 West Highway 12, (209/368-7384), Vino Con Brio (and Amorosa Inn & Gardens), 7889 East Harney Ln., (866/368-5658), Woodbridge Winery, 5950 East Woodbridge Rd., (209/365-8139)..
