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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
 
August 23, 2012 | Randy Caparoso

Road Trip! (passport to celebrating California Wine Month in Lodi)

Lodi roadtrip

Hunters Oak Vineyard, in Lodi's Clements Hills AVA

Most of the cats that you meet on the streets speak of true love,
Most of the time they’re sittin’ and cryin’ at home… 
Truckin’, like the do-dah man…
- Grateful Dead

Lodi sign, polaroin 2

Jenny Heitman, our marketing maven at the Lodi Winegrape Commission, goes all farklemt when she talks about what the Lodi growers and wineries have cooked up as part of Discover California’s official California Wine Month this coming September 1 through October 6, 2012:  a LoCA Road Trip calendar chock-full of fun exciting, illuminating stuff, complete with a LoCA Road Trip Passport that will get you into everything either for free or entitling you to fantastic discounts.

“There’s something about shouting Road Trip! that immediately makes you think of good friends,” says Heitman… “laughter and blaring tunes, windows down, fingertips grasping at handfuls of air as it whirs by, and bare feet up on the dash… by any other name a road trip is a chance to escape… to crazy good times.”

… or, as the Lodi wine folks have been saying since last fall, a chance to go “LoCA”:  an anagram (for Lodi, CA) that screams out their passion – or obsession, if you will – with good, honest grape growing.  In Lodi, more often than not this involves dedicated people; many of whom have been living and farming here in the Delta for over 100 years.  Why or wherefore Lodi?  The heck with more words:  if anything, you can taste it in their beautifully fresh and honest wines; which express, to quote a soulster name Marley, that “feelin’ in the one drop.”

If you haven’t yet taken a LoCA road trip, one thing you will also find:  the Lodi brand of hospitality is also a no-snobbery-or-robbery experience.  Says Heitman, “there won’t be a better time to go LoCA with us than during California Wine Month.  Lodi vintners will be rolling out the red carpet with a myriad of exciting activities.”

Lodi bus

What will make a LoCA road trip special?  Ms. Heitman counts some of the ways:  “you can unleash your inner artist at Acquiesce, Macchia and Jeremy Wine Co. by creating a pastel masterpiece, a mahogany cork trivet, or a custom wine label.  Check out fun and unique harvest tours given by the winemakers of LangeTwins, McCay Cellars, or Peltier Station.  Learn to make fresh goat cheese, blend your own port wine, or fine tune your tasting senses at Spenker, d’Art, and Kidder Family.

“Can’t find a sitter for the little ones? No problemo. Oak Ridge Winery, Borra Vineyards and Oak Farm will be offering family-friendly activities such as grape stomping, vineyard hayrides, or catch ‘n release fishing.”

How can you participate?  Simple:  you can pick up your LoCA Road Trip Passport for a mere $15 at the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center (209.365.0621), or online at LodiRoadTrip.com.   Your passport will entitles you to all special offers at participating restaurants, lodgings, and businesses, as well as special bottle and case discounts offered by the participating wineries.

The LoCA Road Trip Web site also has many of the details of the special events going down, plus information on great hotels, local restaurants and shopping (also see A foodie’s guide to Lodi wine country).  There’s a ton of events; but just so you don’t have to pass GO, here’s a rundown (click for further details) right here, on the first half (September 1-16) of this long, strangely cool trip:

THE LoCA ROAD TRIP!

Saturday, September 1

  • Berghold Vineyards | Vineyard Tractor Rides | 11AM-5PM
  • Berghold Vineyards | Antiques Tour | 11AM-5PM
  • d’Art Wines | Bottle Your Own Wine | 12Noon-4PM
  • Kidder Family Winery | Sensory Challenge | 11AM-5PM
  • McCay Cellars | Complimentary Tasting w/ Winemaker | 12NOON-4PM
  • McConnell Estates | Picnic Weekend | 11AM-5PM
  • Michael David Winery | Inkblot Series Tasting | 10AM-4PM
  • Peltier Station | Truck to Tank Tour | 7AM-10AM
  • Spenker Winery | Wine & Cheese Pairing Class | 10:30AM-1PM
  • The Lucas Winery | Food & Wine Pairing | 12NOON-4:30PM
  • The Lucas Winery | Scavenger Hunt | 12NOON-4:30PM
  • Toasted Toad Cellars | Island Days | 11AM-6PM
  • Van Ruiten Family Winery | Music on the Patio | 1-5PM

Sunday, September 2

  • Berghold Vineyards | Vineyard Tractor Rides | 11AM-5PM
  • Berghold Vineyards | Antiques Tour | 11AM-5PM
  • d’Art Wines | Bottle Your Own Wine | 12Noon-4PM
  • Harmony Wynelands | Champagne Brunch | Call for Time
  • Kidder Family Winery | Sensory Challenge | 11AM-5PM
  • m2 Wines | Hawiian Beach Party | 12NOON-5PM
  • McConnell Estates | Picnic Weekend | 11AM-5PM
  • Michael David Winery | Inkblot Series Tasting | 10AM-4PM
  • The Lucas Winery | Scavenger Hunt | 12NOON-4:30PM
  • Toasted Toad Cellars | Island Days | 11AM-6PM
  • Van Ruiten Family Winery | Music on the Patio | 1-5PM

Lodi downtown

Monday, September 3

  • d’Art Wines | Bottle Your Own Wine | 12Noon-4PM
  • LangeTwins Family Winery | Cycling Tour | 8AM-11AM
  • Oak Farm Vineyards | Labor Day Champagne Tasting | 11AM-5PM

Tuesday, September 4

  • Spenker Winery | Wine & Cheese Pairing Class | 6:30-9PM

Thursday, September 6

  • Berghold Vineyards | Antiques Tour | 11AM-5PM
  • The Lucas Winery | Scavenger Hunt | 12NOON-4:30PM

Friday, September 7

  • Berghold Vineyards | Antiques Tour | 11AM-5PM
  • Kidder Family Winery | Sensory Challenge | 11AM-5PM
  • The Lucas Winery | Scavenger Hunt | 12NOON-4:30PM
  • Viaggio Estate & Winery | Wine Down Friday | 5-8PM

Saturday, September 8

  • Berghold Vineyards | Vineyard Tractor Rides | 11AM-5PM
  • Berghold Vineyards | Antiques Tour | 11AM-5PM
  • d’Art Wines | Port Blending Class | 12NOON & 2PM
  • Kidder Family Winery | Sensory Challenge | 11AM-5PM
  • Klinker Brick Winery | Old Ghost Vertical Tasting | 11AM-5PM
  • McCay Cellars | Vineyard Tour & Lunch | 10:30AM-1:30PM
  • The Lucas Winery | Food & Wine Pairing | 12NOON-4:30PM
  • The Lucas Winery | Scavenger Hunt | 12NOON-4:30PM
  • Woodbridge Uncorked | Destination Uncorked | 2-7PM

Lodi dog

Sunday, September 9

  • Berghold Vineyards | Vineyard Tractor Rides | 11AM-5PM
  • Berghold Vineyards | Antiques Tour | 11AM-5PM
  • d’Art Wines | Port Blending Class | 12NOON & 2PM
  • Harmony Wynelands | Champagne Brunch | Call for Time
  • Kidder Family Winery | Sensory Challenge | 11AM-5PM
  • The Lucas Winery | Scavenger Hunt | 12NOON-4:30PM
  • Van Ruiten Family Winery | Music on the Patio | 1-5PM

Friday, September 14

  • Berghold Vineyards | Antiques Tour | 11AM-5PM
  • Harney Lane Winery | Anniversary Celebration | 12NOON-5PM
  • Kidder Family Winery | Sensory Challenge | 11AM-5PM
  • PONDL Winery | Taste of Mexico | 12NOON-6PM
  • The Lucas Winery | Scavenger Hunt | 12NOON-4:30PM
  • Viaggio Estate & Winery | Wine Down Friday | 5-8PM

Lodi harvest

Saturday, September 15

  • Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards | Sip & Sketch | 1-4PM
  • Berghold Vineyards | Vineyard Tractor Rides | 11AM-5PM
  • Berghold Vineyards | Antiques Tour | 11AM-5PM
  • Boitano Family Wines | Vertical Barbera Tasting | 12NOON-5PM
  • Borra Vineyards | Fall Hayride & Vineyard Tour | 3-5:30PM
  • Downtown Lodi’s Passport Weekend | Various Times & Venues:
    • cellardoor | Sat 1-9PM & Sun 12-5PM
    • The Dancing Fox Winery, Bakery & Eatery | Sat 11AM-9PM & Sun 10AM-3PM
    • Estate Crush | Sat 12-8PM & Sun 12-5PM
    • Fields Family Wines | Sat 2-10PM & Sun 2-7PM
    • H-G Vineyards | Sat 4-7PM & Sun 2-5PM
    • Jeremy Wine Co. | 1-5PM
    • Lodi Wine Cellars | Sat 12PM-12AM & Sun 12-4PM
    • McCay Cellars | Sat 12PM-12AM & Sun 12-4PM
    • Toasted Toad Cellars | 11AM-6PM
  • Harney Lane Winery | Anniversary Celebration | 12NOON-5PM
  • Heritage Oak Winery | Bird Walk | 8:30AM-12NOON
  • Kidder Family Winery | Sensory Challenge | 11AM-5PM
  • Klinker Brick Winery | Syrah Vertical Tasting | 11AM-5PM
  • Macchia | “Create Your Own” Party | 11AM-5PM
  • McConnell Estates | “I Got My Blues at MEW” Concert | 5:30-9:30PM
  • McCormack-Williamson | Harvest Celebration | 2-5PM
  • Michael David Winery | Zinfandel Series Tasting | 10AM-4PM
  • Oak Farm Vineyards | Family Portraits by the Lake | 10AM-12PM
  • Oak Ridge Winery | Sip & Savor | 10AM-12NOON
  • PONDL Winery | Taste of Mexico | 12NOON-6PM
  • Sorelle Winery | Fall Blues Party | 12NOON-4PM
  • Stama Winery | “Get Your Greek On” | 11AM-5PM
  • The Lucas Winery | Food & Wine Pairing | 12NOON-4:30PM
  • The Lucas Winery | Scavenger Hunt | 12NOON-4:30PM
  • Vicarmont Vineyards | Open House Annual Celebration | 12NOON-5PM
  • Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi | Reds, Whites + Blues | 5-9PM

Sunday, September 16

  • Berghold Vineyards | Vineyard Tractor Rides | 11AM-5PM
  • Berghold Vineyards | Antiques Tour | 11AM-5PM
  • Borra Vineyards | Fall Hayride & Vineyard Tour | Hourly 11:30AM-4:30PM
  • Downtown Lodi’s Passport Weekend | Various Times & Venues:
    • cellardoor | Sat 1-9PM & Sun 12-5PM
    • The Dancing Fox Winery, Bakery & Eatery | Sat 11AM-9PM & Sun 10AM-3PM
    • Estate Crush | Sat 12-8PM & Sun 12-5PM
    • Fields Family Wines | Sat 2-10PM & Sun 2-7PM
    • H-G Vineyards | Sat 4-7PM & Sun 2-5PM
    • Jeremy Wine Co. | 1-5PM
    • Lodi Wine Cellars | Sat 12PM-12AM & Sun 12-4PM
    • McCay Cellars | Sat 12PM-12AM & Sun 12-4PM
    • Toasted Toad Cellars | 11AM-6PM
  • d’Art Wines | Futures Barrel Tasting | 1-4PM
  • Harmony Wynelands | Champagne Brunch | Call for Time
  • Harney Lane Winery | Anniversary Celebration | 12NOON-5PM
  • Kidder Family Winery | Sensory Challenge | 11AM-5PM
  • McCormack-Williamson | Harvest Celebration | 2-5PM
  • Michael David Winery | Zinfandel Series Tasting | 10AM-4PM
  • Oak Farm Vineyards | Picnic & Catch-‘n’-Release Fishing | 12NOON-5PM
  • PONDL Winery | Taste of Mexico | 12NOON-6PM
  • The Lucas Winery | Scavenger Hunt | 12NOON-4:30PM
  • Van Ruiten Family Winery | Music on the Patio & Blessing of the Grapes | 1-5PM

Lodi cafe

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2545 West Turner Road Lodi, CA 95242
209.365.0621
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209.367.4727
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