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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.

Randy Caparoso
 
April 16, 2011 | Randy Caparoso

Lodi spring’s beauty of days

Lodi spring’s beauty of days

In the seasonal rhythms of life, spring is when the earth is breathing out; and we respond in kind, taking our bites and draughts with renewed energy and fervor. Or as in Van Morrison’s The Beauty of Days Gone By: marveling at how youth is served, even as we age… When I recall just how it felt When I went walking down by the lake My soul was free, my heart awake When I walked down into the town… The mountain air was fresh and clear The sun was up behind the hill It felt so good to be alive..

Head trained Bare Ranch Zinfandel, in the heart of the Mokelumne River AVA

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These mighty 111 year old zin vines in Mohr-Fry Ranches are awakening from their winter slumber

In the seasonal rhythms of life, spring is when the earth is breathing out; and we respond in kind, taking our bites and draughts with renewed energy and fervor.  Or as in Van Morrison’s The Beauty of Days Gone By:  marveling at how youth is served, even as we age…

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Grecian urn on Downtown Lodi's School St.

When I recall just how it felt
When I went walking down by the lake
My soul was free, my heart awake
When I walked down into the town…

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AM stretch for the 90 year old Mohr-Fry Alicante Bouschet

The mountain air was fresh and clear
The sun was up behind the hill
It felt so good to be alive
On that morning in spring…

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Essence of spring: St. Jorge's airy fresh Verdelho

I want to sing this song for you
I want to lift your spirits high
And in my soul I want to feel
The beauty of the days gone by…

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School St. mind guitar in Downtown Lodi

The beauty of the days gone by
It brings a longing to my soul
To contemplate my own true self
And keep me young as I grow old…

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A giant among zins: Brobdingnagian sized Tokay in the Molle Vineyards on Davis, planted in 1936

The beauty of the days gone by
The music that we used to play
So lift your glass and raise it high
To the beauty of the days gone by…

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Grower Ron Silva contemplates his Alta Mesa vines

I’ll sing it from the mountain top
Down to the valley down below
Because my cup doth overflow
With the beauty of the days gone by…

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Delta grown strawberries in Galt Market

The mountain glen
Where we used to roam
The gardens there
By the railroad track
Oh my memory it does not lack…
Of the beauty of the days gone by

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Alebrijes' Ruben Larrazolo searching for that elusive perfect chipotle in Galt Market

The beauty of the days gone by
It brings a longing to my soul
To contemplate my own true self
And keep me young as I grow old…

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Youth is served: Lodi maiden in violet blaze of dusk

And keep me young as I grow old…

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Harney Lane Primitivo plantings bedding down for the night

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209.365.0621
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