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.
Bokisch Ranches’ Las Cerezas Vineyard (planted to Spanish varieties) in Lodi’s Mokelumne River AVA
The Mokelumne River AVA (American Viticultural Area) is one of the seven sub-appellations located within the larger Lodi AVA established in August 2006 by the TTB (the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Tax and Trade Bureau).
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Mar 26, 2015 at 12:07 PM
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2014 Zinfandel in McCay's Lot 13 Vineyard
In our previous post (Is Zinfandel breaking out?) we cited a number of wine industry professionals who truly believe that Zinfandel can be made in more restrained, elegant styles – not unlike the finest Pinot Noirs or Burgundies – and that, in fact, we are beginning to see a paradigm shift towards that direction.
What are some of the more elegant styles of Zinfandel coming out of the Lodi Viticultural Area today?
Continue » Mar 18, 2015 at 8:00 AM
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2015 ZAP Media & Trade Tasting
This past January 28-31, Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (a.k.a. ZAP) held its 24th full-scale "Experience" in San Francisco's Presidio, with the theme: Zinfandel is a rising star… reach out and grab it.
Zinfandel, of course, has always been a longtime star in the varietal market. In fact, Zinfandel's dominance in California vineyards dates back well nigh into the 1850s. So what exactly does ZAP mean with the implication that Zinfandel is still "rising?"
Continue » Mar 16, 2015 at 8:00 AM
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Trellised vines along Lodi's Mokelumne River
Continuation of a Part 1: The origins of the Lodi Viticultural Area
In 1991, some 600 Lodi AVA growers came together to form the self-mandated Lodi-Woodbridge Wine Commission (now called the Lodi Winegrape Commission) for the purpose of regional promotion, education and viticultural research. This would be a momentous development, playing a crucial role in Lodi’s current status as a winegrowing region of note.
Continue » Mar 11, 2015 at 8:00 AM
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Lodi American Viticulture Areas
The ATF received a petition for a Lodi AVA from a group called the Lodi District Vintners Association in August 1982, which went through an approval process lasting nearly four years before finally being granted in February 1986.
What is an American Viticultural Area – commonly abbreviated as AVA – and why should you care?
There are many types of wines grown and produced around the world. The vast majority of commercial wines are, in fact, made by brands or producers endeavoring to put out products that are of a consistent quality and affordably priced.
Continue » Mar 4, 2015 at 8:00 AM
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Borra Vineyards winemaker Markus Niggli in Gill Creek Ranch Vermentino planting
Among the many alternative white wine grapes cultivated in Lodi in recent years, Vermentino might hold the most intriguing promise.
Continue » Feb 26, 2015 at 8:00 AM
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Celebrated winemaker David Ramey; with daughter Claire Ramey, who assists in winery
David Ramey, owner of the acclaimed, Sonoma-based David Ramey Wine Cellars – known for peerless Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignons – has been one of America's most respected winemakers since the 1980s and '90s, when he did groundbreaking work at wineries like Matanzas Creek Winery, Chalk Hill Estate, and “super” Napa Valley wineries like Dominus Estate and Rudd Oakville Estate.
Continue » Feb 23, 2015 at 8:00 AM
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Mike Manna, Jason Mikami and Kian Tavakoli with split-canopy, close-spaced trellised Mikami Vineyards Zinfandel
Everybody knows that the best Zinfandels come from ancient, gnarly, head trained vines. Not.
Try telling that to Jason Mikami, the owner/grower of Lodi's Mikami Vineyards. Or to Mr. Mikami's Vineyard Manager, Mike Manna – President/CEO of Manna Ranch Inc., one of Lodi's most important vineyard management companies (cultivating over 2,600 acres) – or Kian Tavakoli, Mikami's talented winemaker, who is based in Napa Valley.
Continue » Feb 18, 2015 at 8:00 AM
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Borra Vineyard Manager Manuel Maldonado doing 2015 pruning (photo courtesy of Borra Vineyards)
Wine, it is often said, is made in the vineyard. Which sometimes brings up the jocular comment: then why the heck do we need wineries?
Well, good wine does come out of wineries. But it also needs hands – lots and lots of hands of men and women with the work ethic, talent and creative juices to turn grapes into something magical in the glass.
Continue » Feb 17, 2015 at 8:00 AM
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Zinfandel and kisses in the rain at Lodi’s m2 winery…
Thousands of wine lovers can’t be wrong! It was a wet, wet pre-Valentine’s weekend, to be sure, which did nothing to dampen the hearts and spirits of wine and chocolate lovers pouring in from all over for Lodi wine country’s annual rites of February pleasure.
Continue » Feb 8, 2015 at 8:00 AM
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