A year in Lodi 2011 (part 1)

ByRandy Caparoso
Vineyard with gnarled, leafless grapevines in a field of yellow wildflowers under a cloudy sky.
Against the typical cloudy backdrop of January, ancient Lodi vines, just pruned and conserving energy for their upcoming spring bud break…

Looking back on another fruitful year in the Delta

Looking back at our favorite photos of the past year also gives us a good sense of how vintage 2011 developed, and more to look forward to in the years to come when we finally uncork and taste the year in our mouths. Some of our favorite scenes from the past year:

DECEMBER 2010

Man standing in a vineyard with pruned grapevines in Lodi, California, during winter.
Tucked in for winter’s nap: 2nd generation Lodi winemaker David Akiyoshi looking at the 100+ year old vines — the backbone of LangeTwins’ elegant yet ferociously intense black label Zinfandel — owned by Charlie Lewis on the east side of Lodi’s Mokelumne River AVA
Winemaker inspecting wine barrels at Lodi Winegrape Commission facility for quality and aging process.
December topping: Heritage Oak’s Tom Hoffman tops off his barrels; one of the constant chores in any winery, big or small…
Hollowed out (but still thriving) trunk of 80 year old vine going into McCay’s Truluck’s Zinfandel

JANUARY 2011

Workers pruning and maintaining grapevines in a Lodi vineyard for wine production.
Pruning begins in earnest in January…
Sand dune intensity: these wizened, prostrate 100+ year old vines in Leland’s Noma Vineyard (east of 99, going into Macchia’s Outrageous Zinfandel) produce miniscule yet powerful vines…
Three people smiling outdoors, representing Lodi Winegrape Commission and local wine industry.
New stars: Mike Scott parlayed success engineering Delta wind turbines to turn the historic Dodge House (1866) into Sorelle Winery, with daughters Kim and Melissa…

FEBRUARY

Group of people enjoying wine tasting outdoors at a Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
Chocolate chili at Harney Lane: thousands of wine lovers descend upon Lodi for Wine & Chocolate Weekend…
Vintage blue truck in a lush Lodi vineyard during sunny weather, showcasing grapevines and clear blue sky.
Harmony Wynelands: while wine and chocolate revelers hopped from winery to winery, the work of pruning the vines went on…
Elderly man with a white turban and long beard standing in a vineyard with pruned grapevines.
Ray Rd. success story: Amrik Dahliwal came to Lodi from Punjab in the early ’80s to pick grapes for $11 a day, and now farms over 300 acres of his own…

MARCH

Man inspecting grapevine in Lodi vineyard during daytime with cloudy sky.
Ray Rd. roots: Todd Maley, tapping one his old zins, represents a family tradition of agriculture entwined with the Phillips (Michael-David) going back a century in Lodi…
Man touring a winery with wine barrels in Lodi, California, promoting wine tourism and grape cultivation.
Third generation grower Rod Schatz typifies many of Lodi’s families, turning to winemaking (Peltier Station and Hybrid) rather than depending upon other wineries…
Vineyard worker inspecting grapevines in a Lodi wine region vineyard under a blue sky.
Patrick Campbell — who popularized Lodi with his “ZaZin!” and “Reds” bottlings — photographed these 100 year old Carignane vines (Jessie’s Grove) while in their naked wintry splendor…
Man conducting winegrape testing with a refractometer in a winery setting.
m2’s Layne Montgomery blending his commemorative zin for the upcoming Lodi ZinFest/p>
Workers building vineyard trellis in Lodi, California during grapevine installation.
Spring started off gray and wet, but that didn’t keep DIY Network from building a new outdoor tasting room for Ripken Vineyards…

APRIL

Farmer holding a ripe strawberry in a vineyard with lush green rows of grapevines.
Vintage strawberry: Lucero Organic Farms’ Ben Lucero shows off the first of his exquisite Seascape strawberries…
Two men at a market stall with dried fruits and produce, discussing and inspecting items, under a blue canopy.
Alebrijes chef/owner Ruben Larrazolo does his weekly Saturday shopping at Galt’s open market…
Old rusty truck in a vineyard, representing Lodi's rich wine history and agricultural heritage.
Spring activity: at Harney Lane, the trellised vines and creaky old truck limber up under brightening spring skies…
Close-up of a young winegrape vine with green leaves and new growth in a vineyard setting.
First buds: Mohr-Fry vines burst into spring…
Gnarled wine grape vines in Lodi vineyard under blue sky for wine production.
Old men walking: zin vines a staggering 110 years old at Mohr-Fry Ranches
Three men smiling and talking in a wine shop, with wine bottles and wine-related decor in the background.
Old timers of another sort: Steve Borra, Michael-David’s Michael Phillips and David Lucas were three of Lodi’s winery pioneers…
Gnarled winegrape vine with new green leaves in Lodi vineyard under blue sky.
Ancient dwarves: these budding, 2 ft. zin vines were originally planted by Giacomo Peirano at the end of the 19th century…
Woman inspecting grapevine in Lodi vineyard, showcasing healthy grape growth and vineyard management.
Prized buds: Delicato’s Sue Hoffman in Cusumano’s Hwy. 12 vineyard, the primary source of the ultra-premium Brazin zin
Vineyard in Lodi with rows of grapevines under a colorful sunset sky.
Spring blue hours: as days get longer, sunsets get brighter in Harney Lane’s vineyards, still soggy from April showers…

MAY

Close-up of a realistic wax figure of an elderly woman with gray hair, holding a grocery bag with canned goods, against a st.
Downtown Lodi: sculpted shopper
Group of women at Lodi Winegrape Commission tasting event with wine bottles and glasses.
ZinFest smiles: May is also ZinFest month in Lodi, when the Vicarmont gang (pictured here) pour for thousands of wine lovers coming from far and near…
A man in work overalls and a blue cap interacts with a young girl on a city sidewalk.
More Downtown Lodi: live boy, sculpted painter
Woman tasting red wine at Lodi Wine event, wearing sunglasses and casual attire, with a crowd in the background.
Like a pro: ZinFest wine lovers know their stuff…
Smiling man and woman enjoying wine at Lodi Wine event with tents in background.
Famous red shorts: by May, Peirano’s Lance Randolph has already been wearing his red shorts for at least a month (never removed until the last of Lodi’s wine grapes are picked each year)…
Three men sitting outdoors near a lake, smiling, with trees and greenery in the background.
Tres amigos: Michael McCay, lodiwine.com’s Randy Caparoso and Markus Bokisch at the annual ZinFest on Lodi Lake
Happy couple dancing outdoors in a park with trees and a pond in the background.
ZinFest tarantism: wine lovers by the lake…

JUNE

Organic farmers at Lodi Winegrape Commission market stand with fresh peaches and organic certification signs.
Ferrari Farms’ certified organic fruit stand at the spring opening of Lodi’s Farmers Market
Woman cooking yellow rice dish at Lodi wine event, smiling and wearing apron, outdoor setting with people in background.
Addy’s paella at Lodi Farmers Market
Vineyard worker inspecting grapevines in a Lodi vineyard during daytime.
Zin rehab: Klinker Brick’s Steve Felten with 94 year old, dry farmed Cherry Rd. vine he is nursing back to full health…
Close-up of green wine grapes growing on a vine in a Lodi vineyard under bright sunlight.
117 year old east side zin vines in a lush stage with burgeoning clusters within two months of bud break…
Close-up of grapevine and herbs in a vineyard, showcasing healthy green foliage and soil.
Wild growth starting to cover the bare ground under century year old vines in Schmiedt Ranch…
Group of people in a restaurant discussing wine and grape industry topics, with a smiling man standing and talking.
School Street Bistro proprietor David Akiyoshi (also LangeTwins’ winemaker) greets Dave Phillips (left) and his Lodi visitor friends…

JULY

Two men inspecting grapevines in a Lodi vineyard during harvest season.
Gregg Lewis (Dancing Fox grower/proprietor) and Adam Webb (Odisea winemaker/partner) taking a peek at their rapidly growing Grenache…
Lodi vineyard with a playful puppy lying on the soil near grapevines.
Adam Webb’s dog enjoys green Grenache grown by Bokisch…
People enjoying a wine tasting event at a Lodi Winegrape Commission gathering with a long table and red checkered tablecloth.
Wine & Roses Hotel celebrates Bastille Day…
Two people enjoying red wine outdoors, smiling, with lush greenery in the background.
Wine & Roses’ Russ Munson and Kim Nejak toast to Bastille Day…
People riding bikes at a lively outdoor event with festive accessories and a crowd in the background.
The Ripken gang gearing up for the Lodi Cyclefest
Two men from the Lodi Winegrape Commission outdoors near a red and white building.
Mettler Family Vineyards’ Jason Eels and Larry Mettler…

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