Letters from Lodi
An insightful and objective look at viticulture and winemaking from the Lodi
Appellation and the growers and vintners behind these crafts. Told from the
perspective of multi-award winning wine journalist, Randy Caparoso.
Lodi Participating in Joint Wildfire Relief Efforts
Lodi Winegrape Commission is participating in a joint effort among all California regional wine/winegrape associations to pull together in support of those areas affected by wildfires. We are disseminating information through joint press releases, social media posts, etc., regarding resources, donation drop offs, and other ways to lend support.
Many wineries and businesses are donating a portion of their wine sales and other proceeds to relief efforts. If you would like to donate directly, here are links from our industry partners to verified, desired donation sites:
• Napa Valley Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund
• Community Foundation of Sonoma County Resilience Fund
• Community Foundation of Mendocino County
Several Lodi businesses are helping victims of the wildfires in other ways.
Elite Wine will pick up donations in a box truck Thursday and deliver them to various locations in the Napa area. Elite can return to Lodi with nine to 10 pallets of wine or a mix of pallets and other items. If anyone can temporarily store the wine and items, contact Elite Wine (209-369-7447) or Ryan Sherman (209-896-6012) as soon as possible.
Craig Ledbetter and the Vino Farms family will continue to accept donations as long as people are willing to give. You can drop off items at 13130 East Peltier Road, Acampo (East of Elliott Road). Please buy nonperishable items like jelly, peanut butter, canned fruit, and other foods that will last (bread is also good, however). Diapers, clothes, water, toiletries, etc., also needed. Vaz Trucking will take donations in a semi so other persons looking for ways to transport items can also drop off their donations.
Klinker Brick Winery has connected with the American Red Cross in the relief effort. To donate along with Klinker Brick, click here.
Acquiesce Winery will donate $1 for every bottle sold in its tasting room (22353 N. Trethaway Rd., Acampo) through Oct. 31 toward fire relief.
Lodi Vintners (3750 Woodbridge Rd., Acampo) will donate all of its tasting fees collected during October toward the relief efforts.
Taylor Kininmonth of SIP Shuttle is working with several wineries and tasting rooms to collect essential items, such as water, blankets, baby food and formula, and new or gently-used clothing for adults and children, and transport the items on Friday to the Petaluma Community Center.
Donations can be dropped off before 5 p.m. Thursday at the following locations:
• Lodi Wine and Visitor Center (2545 W. Turner Rd., 209-367-4727)
• Lodi Vines (927 Industrial Way, 209-339-9212)
• Van Ruiten Family Winery (340 W. Highway 12, 209-334-5722)
• Jessie’s Grove Winery (1973 W. Turner Rd., 209-365-4202)
• Scotto’s Wine and Cider (14 S. School St., 209-224-8590)
• Classic Design Interiors (2303 S. Stockton St., 209-334-4060)
• Klinker Brick Winery (15887 Alpine Rd., 209-224-5156)
• New & Again Consignment Furniture Gallery (210 S. School St., 209-368-2200)
The Lodi Wine and Visitor Center will continue to be a drop-off location through the end of October.
Lodi Vines is accepting donations until 3:30 p.m. Thursday and possibly on Friday. Co-owner Don Parker and his team will make runs to Napa and Sonoma with the donations.
We have shared with the affected areas that Jessie’s Grove Winery has two pastures for any animals that need to be relocated, as well as space available for recreational vehicle parking for anyone who has been evacuated or displaced. Jessie's Grove also is accepting donations of nonperishable items.
m2 Wines (2900 E. Peltier Rd., Acampo, 209-339-1071) is accepting donations from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. m2 has partnered with a business that owns a big rig. The items will be loaded into the big rig and transported to the evacuation centers on a daily basis or as need be.
Riaza Winery is available to process (crush, de-stem or press) lots less than six tons. Contact Rick Taylor at 916-715-7080 or rick@riazawines.com.
If you would like to donate, items that are needed include small bottles of hand sanitizer, small bottles of Visine, Benadryl, 3M smoke inhalation masks, new pillows in plastic, pillow covers, bedding and cots.
Any Lodi area wineries that are able to take small wine tanks, barrels, case goods, or fruit, please contact melissa@lodiwine.com.
We will be posting and sharing other offers of help and relief initiatives as information becomes available.