The many faces of Lodi in 2012 (part 2)

ByRandy Caparoso
Petite Sirah harvest in Vinedos Aurora’s home ranch

There is strength and perseverance in Lodi faces — borne out of long hours under the sun, or when pinched by wintry chill — as well as wisdom and the signs of sheer joy that that are part and parcel of the Delta‘s main industry: wine grapes.

In 2012 the Lodi American Viticultural Area took another giant leap in the world of fine wine, topped off by a harvest that may have been the region’s best ever: grapes ripening under perfect, trouble-free conditions, and in sufficient enough quantities to allow prolonged, steady maturation (during years when yields are cut short by poor spring sets or spotty autumn weather, grapes tend to ripen either too rapidly or not at all).

Which explains the many smiles seen on Lodi faces over the past two months. Some of our fondest images:

Woman pouring wine from a glass wine thief into a barrel at a winery.
Klinker Brick’s next generation: Farrah Felten
Man inspecting ripe grapes in a lush Lodi vineyard during harvest season.
Derek Halecky loving the look of his Hunter’s Oak Vineyard Grenache grapes during the July veraison
Man grilling a large piece of meat outdoors at a Lodi wine event.
Every winemaker claims he does the best barbecue: hard to argue with Michael McCay’s dry rubbed baby backs, slow roasted in an oil drum
Wine industry experts discussing wine barrels at a Lodi winery with two visitors.
Jillions of visitors have been regaled by m2 winemaker/owner Layne Montgomery’s dry wit and juicy wines
Group of people enjoying a wine tasting at a Lodi vineyard with a wine bottle on the table.
Silvaspoons winegrower Ron Silva (blue cap) — America’s “Portuguese grape king” — holding court
Harney Lane patriarch George Mettler and his beloved cork tree
Smiling man in sunglasses celebrating outdoors at Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
Michael David Winery president/co-owner Dave Phillips all ramped up for their annual Rhone & Reggae bash
Guests enjoy a vineyard dinner at sunset with string lights overhead and rows of grapevines in Lodi, California.
The Lodi life: early harvest dinner in Harney Lane estate vineyard
Typical of Lodi, when you visit Kidder Family Wines, you personally taste with owners Aaron and Linda Kidder
Two men enjoying wine outdoors at a Lodi Winegrape Commission event in a lush garden setting.
Winemaker soiree: Borra’s Markus Niggli hanging with m2’s Layne Montgomery
Young girl holding a bunch of ripe grapes at a Lodi wine event, with people in the background.
Burgeoning connoisseur at Harney Lane

Winemaker soiree: Borra’s Markus Niggli hanging with m2’s Layne Montgomery

Senior man in hat discussing wine at Lodi Winegrape Commission event with a glass of wine in front.
Steve Borra, grower/owner of Lodi’s oldest bonded winery
Man inspecting freshly harvested wine grapes in a vineyard setting for Lodi Winegrape Commission.
For Michael McCay, winemaking is a tactile experience
Worker harvesting ripe grapes in Lodi vineyards for wine production.
Zinfandel harvest in Maley Vineyards
Worker harvesting grapes in Lodi vineyard during daytime, wearing hoodie and face covering for protection.
Picking Mohr-Fry’s Marian’s block Zinfandel (vines planted in 1901)
Woman harvesting grapes in Lodi vineyard wearing sun hat and gloves.
Field sorter in Noma Ranch’s 100+ year old “Cemetary” Zinfandel block
Vineyard worker harvesting ripe grapes in Lodi, California for winemaking.
Borra Vineyards’ 2012 Barbera harvest
Two vineyard workers harvesting grapes in Lodi, California during the wine grape season.
Zinfandel pickers in McCay’s Truluck’s Vineyard
Man harvesting grapes in Lodi, California, during the wine grape season.
Michael David VP (and sixth generation Lodi grower) Kevin Phillips showing off Petite Sirah in his home ranch
Elderly man harvesting ripe grapes in a Lodi vineyard during fall.
Mencarini Vineyards Zinfandel picker
Black cat resting on a wine barrel at Lodi Winegrape Commission vineyard.
Winery cat at m2 Wines
Man inspecting grapevine in Lodi vineyard, California, during sunny day.
Lance Randolph, with one of Zinfandel vines planted by his great grandfather Giacomo Peirano in the 1890s
Young man in a winery with wine barrels in the background, representing Lodi Winegrape Commission.
Newest generation of Lodi winemakers: Broken Vine’s Michael Klouda

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