Bourgeoning L-O-V-E during Lodi’s 2020 Wine & Chocolate Weekend

ByRandy Caparoso
Lodi Wine & Chocolate lovers enjoying Lodi’s ultra-natural and fresh style of wines at Oak Farm Vineyards

L is for the way you look at me
O is the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore can
– Nat King Cole

Love was in the air in more than one way during Lodi’s 2020 Wine & Chocolate celebration this past weekend (February 8-9). The weather was conducive — in fact, perfection… crystal clear, mildly breezy, neither warm nor chilly — to a plethora of sweet nothings whispered between couples, young, old, and in-between, and laughter shared among friends tee-topped “wine-drinking teams.”

Good wine, if we may be so bold to suggest, is also a conduit to the vibrations known as L-O-V-E, and everywhere we went we were told in no uncertain terms exactly why that is: Because Lodi produces a softer, gentle style of wine — whether white, red or rosy pink — that is also teeming with a natural sense of freshness in fruit expressions. Wines that just about everyone L-O-V-E loves.

Group of women enjoying wine tasting at Freakshow event, smiling and holding glasses, in front of a colorful banner.
At Michael David Winery’s cellar door in Downtown Lodi, one of the many tee-topped “wine tasting teams” out on the Wine & Chocolate Weekend

For our part, we like to explain that this is just Lodi being, well, Lodi — the region’s warm, and never excessively hot or cold, Mediterranean climate and classic grape-friendly soils are simply conducive to this style of wine. It’s natural.

And Lodi Wine & Chocolate weekenders know this: After 23 years, this February event is as popular as ever. Lodi Winegrape Commission marketing maven Jenny Heitman tells us that over 4,300 tickets for the entire weekend of events were sold, and another 1,200 tickets went out to Sunday-only enthusiasts. As Bong Joon-ho, last night’s Oscar winner for Best Picture and Best Director, put it: “Thank you, I will drink until next morning.”

We, on the other hand, awakened early this morning to more soberly select our favorite images from 2020’s Wine & Chocolate Weekend. Enjoy!

Happy people enjoying wine tasting at Lodi Winegrape Commission event in a cozy winery setting.
This Lodi wine lover was so ready to begin her Wine & Chocolate Weekend
Elegant event space with high wooden ceilings, hanging lights, and balloon decorations, hosting a social gathering.
Oak Farm Vineyards all decked out at the start of Wine & Chocolate Weekend
Two women enjoying wine tasting at a Lodi wine event with wine tanks in the background.
Sips of Oak Farm Vineyard’s wonderfully fresh and buoyant dry rosé
Group of people enjoying a wine tasting event outdoors, smiling and engaging in conversation.
Good times, good friends enjoying Wine & Chocolate Weekend at Oak Farm Vineyards
Group of women celebrating at Lodi Winegrape Commission with rose-themed decor in the background.
Another wine-tasting “team” meeting up under Oak Farm Vineyards’ beautiful “Rosé” garland of roses
Smiling woman at Lodi wine tasting event with wine bottle and chocolates on bar.
“Chocolate shots” exquisitely paired with m2 Winery’s lush and vivid Purple Squirrel Cabernet Sauvignon
People tasting wine and browsing wine products at Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
Amazing demonstration and sampling of pure chocolate by Cru Chocolate (one of the “grand cru” producers of artisanal chocolates) at m2 Winery
Close-up of wine grape samples, chocolate, and money on a black table for wine tasting event.
At m2 Winery, a close-up of the cacao pods and raw nibs going into Cru Chocolates
Three women enjoying a wine tasting event at Lodi Winegrape Commission.
The amiable hospitality crew of m2 Winery
Man working at desk in wine industry office with computer and wine-related decor.
Back in his office during the Wine & Chocolate Weekend buzz, m2 Winery winemaker/owner Layne Montgomery is hard at work doing what he does (whatever that is)
People enjoying wine tasting at Lodi Winegrape Commission event in a cozy indoor setting.
These Wine & Chocolate lovers were thrilled to be personally greeted at LangeTwins Family Winery by co-owner, and 4th generation winegrower, Randy Lange
Group touring a winery with wine barrels and staff, exploring Lodi's wine production and grape varieties.
Line dancing lessons among the barrels and tanks in LangeTwins Family Winery
Couple holding hands and enjoying wine tasting at Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
Love is in the air and luscious wines at Jessie’s Grove’s 32-acre grove of ancient valley oaks
Woman sampling wine at Lodi Winegrape Commission event, enjoying local wines in a rustic outdoor setting.
Indulging in the decadent chocolate fountain at Jessie’s Grove Winery
In Jessie’s Grove’s valley oak grove, a couple spontaneously breaks into a dance of pure joy
Group of diverse people enjoying a sunny day outdoors near a large tree in Lodi, California.
This gang was all here in Jessie’s Grove’s 32-acre valley oak grove, where the Wine & Chocolate festivities were held
People enjoying wine tasting outdoors at a Lodi wine event with barrels and trees in the background.
Tasting two types of Port-style reds straight from the barrels at Jessie’s Grove estate
Photo display for Lodi Winegrape Commission featuring framed photos and decorative hearts at Jessie's Grove Winery.
“To the Moon and Back” at Jessie’s Grove estate
Another shot of our happy couple at Jessie’s Grove, dancing to the end of love
Feelin’ the irresistible groove of this rocking, jazzy band at Oak Farm Vineyards
Living the life of Lodi wines and vines during Wine & Chocolate Weekend at Oak Farm Vineyards
Group of women celebrating at Lodi Winegrape Commission event with festive accessories and wine glasses.
Ladies loving the soft, spicy wines and crystal fresh and blue Wine & Chocolate Weekend day in Lodi’s rolling Clements Hills appellation at Bokisch Vineyards’ Terra Alta Vineyard
People enjoying outdoor seating at a vineyard with red chairs and umbrellas in Lodi, California.
No hurry, no worries at Bokisch Vineyards’ Terra Alta Vineyard
Three women enjoying wine tasting at a vineyard in Lodi, California on a sunny day.
Wine & Roses Hotel owner Kathryn Munson (right) enjoying the refreshing wines and clear Wine & Chocolate Weekend day with family/friends at Bokisch Vineyards’ Terra Alta Vineyard
Workers harvesting grapes in a lush Lodi vineyard with a large tree in the background.
Family playing among the vines under an ancient blue oak in Bokisch Vineyards’ Terra Alta Vineyard
Colorful love wall with handwritten notes and hearts at Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
“Love” memos at m2 Winery
Group of people enjoying wine tasting at Lodi Winegrape Commission with wine bottles and barrels.
Hanging out around the old wine press at Housley’s Century Oak Winery
Group of people enjoying outdoor wine tasting event at Lodi Winegrape Commission vineyard.
Break for boxed lunches at m2 Winery’s vineyard estate
People enjoying outdoor seating at Lodi Winegrape Commission with a dog in a blue jacket.
Camping out under the “W” at Downtown Lodi’s Weibel Family Vineyards tasting room
Slow dancing at Oak Farm Vineyards
People enjoying a casual outdoor gathering with wine under umbrellas in a garden setting.
Enjoying the end of Wine & Chocolate Weekend at McCay Cellars’ Downtown Lodi patio
Appropriately attired Wine & Chocolate Weekend lover at McCay Cellars’ Downtown Lodi tasting room
Women at Lodi Winegrape Commission booth with wine glasses and promotional materials.
The amazing ladies (and the family behind) McCay Cellars at the end of another Lodi Wine & Chocolate day
Group of people celebrating with wine at Lodi Winegrape Commission event, smiling and enjoying the moment.
Lodi Wine & Chocolate lovers at McCay Cellars in Downtown Lodi
Red vintage Volkswagen van parked outside a wine shop in Lodi, California, with clear blue sky and trees in the background.
Vintage VW at the multi-winery Woodbridge Uncorked tasting room in Downtown Woodbridge
People enjoying wine tasting at Lodi Winegrape Commission event in a rustic indoor setting.
The Wine & Chocolate Weekend scene at Woodbridge’s Woodbridge Uncorked tasting room
Three women engaged in conversation at a Lodi Winegrape Commission event, with wine glasses in hand and a wine bar background.
Wine & Chocolate Weekend enthusiasts at Woodbridge Uncorked
Group of five women standing outdoors in a vineyard, smiling, with the Lodi Winegrape Commission logo on their shirts.
The “W.T.F” tasting team arrives at m2 Winery
Workers harvesting and maintaining grapevines in a Lodi vineyard during the day.
The long and seemingly endless winter pruning going on throughout Lodi wine country during Wine & Chocolate Weekend
People tasting wine at Lodi Winegrape Commission event with brick wall background and love-themed decor.
Representing a fifth and sixth generation of Lodi winegrowers (since the 1860s!), Todd Maley and his son show off their handcrafted Maley Bros. wines at the Woodbridge Uncorked tasting room

The Wine & Chocolate Weekend action in and out of Michael David Winery’s cellar door “tasting gallery” in Downtown Lodi

Wine & Chocolate Weekend love at Weibel Family Vineyards’ Downtown Lodi tasting room

A live band rocks the crowd at Van Ruiten Family Vineyards Winery

Wine & Chocolate enthusiasts hanging out by the vintage lowriders lined up at Van Ruiten Family Vineyards winery

The festive Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend crowd gravitating to Van Ruiten Family Vineyards winery

Feelin’ the love in the air at Jessie’s Grove Winery’s historic estate

Enjoying the fresh air and refreshingly dry rosé in front of the historic colonial DeVries home (built in 1876) at the Oak Farm Vineyards estate

A natural “tunnel of love” of overhanging unpruned canes in m2 Winery estate during Lodi’s 2020 Wine & Chocolate Weekend

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