Our favorite Lodi wine country photos of the year (January through July)

Plush carpets of moss growing on ancient vine (over 100 years old) Lodi Zinfandel in the dead of winter.

To me, Lodi wine country is like a gigantic canvas for Mother Nature: There is no end to the beauty capturable, to some extent (although it's always more compelling seen through your own eyes!), by a camera.

The pictures tell a story; more often than not, more vividly than how it can be described in words. So here are some of our photographic stories of the past year. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

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Wine tasting is easy

Tasting wines with foods, which all visitors to Lodi's Acquiesce Winery do.

First things first.

You may have heard, or maybe just assumed, that appreciating wine is complicated. That it takes an "expert" to truly understand and enjoy wines. I have just one word to say about that: Untrue. Anyone who tells you wine is complicated has no idea what he or she is talking about.

Let me tell you why. Where, in fact, do you find the most people happily consuming wine like there's no tomorrow? People who drink wine as an everyday beverage, like we do coffee or Diet Coke? If you guessed Europe⏤countries such as France, Italy, Spain and others nearby⏤you have, of course, guessed correctly. Most people know that this is where wine was invented. Do you think the gazillion wine lovers in those countries had to take wine courses, do deep reading or applied themselves to the "mastery" of wine knowledge in order to appreciate wines? Of course not! 

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Lodi wine country Thanksgiving recipes and wines

Jahant-Lodi farmhouse in November.

'Tis the season for family traditions, starting with Thanksgiving.

Over the past decade and a half a number of local Lodi vintners have contributed favorite family recipes served, almost religiously, at each and every Thanksgiving celebration.

This year we are recapping some of the more interesting recipes, along with thoughts on ideal Lodi grown wines for the dishes. Happy holidays!

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Looking at vintage photographs of Lodi is like strolling through its past

Circa 1860s: Lithograph of the Jacob Brack ranch (est. 1850), a 1,500-acre spread skirting the far west side of present-day Lodi (in the vicinity of N. Jacob Brack Rd. and Interstate 5); note Mount Diablo in the backdrop.

There is an old saying I never quite understood, which goes: "The past is a place to learn from, not to live in."

Yes, of course, we learn from the past, especially mistakes, big and small. But in many places of the world, we also live in the past. Like people do in Florence, Italy. I distinctly remember being struck by that once, in the late 1980s, when stumbling into the Palazzo della Signoria and suddenly being hit in the head by the real-life, bigger than life vision of Michelangelo's David, created in 1501-1504, in all its naked glory... 

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What is Lodi terroir? (Part 5, Where to find terroir focused Lodi wines)

Winter pruning in Clements Hills-Lodi's Stampede Vineyard which has become a favorite Zinfandel source among small, handcraft terroir focused producers because of the growth's penchant for high acidity, moderate weight and ringing berry perfumes.

Continued from What is Lodi terroir? (Part 4, How terroir focused wines are made)

Lodi grown wines that prioritize sensory qualities expressing terroir or "sense of place"—be it a specific vineyard or an appellation or sub-appellation (i.e., an AVA within an AVA)—over varietal character or brand style are now more numerous than you may think. 

For the most part, terroir focused producers are on the small, artisanal side, with rare exceptions—such as the nationally distributed Mettler Family Vineyards and Klinker Brick Winery brands, which produce handcraft, native yeast fermented, neutral oak aged Zinfandels as a way of showing off historic old vine properties, in stark contrast from their commercial style releases...

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