Scary vineyard inspires Klinker Brick's Old Ghost

Klinker Brick's Old Ghost is born from a tale worthy of Halloween.

 

On a dark, foggy morning long ago

In a place few would dare to go

There stood a grower in the eerie light

Gazing at a frightful sight

Gnarled vines cast shadows in the mist

Causing the grower to wonder, what is this?

As the sun rose, it became all too clear

The grower had nothing to fear

The shadows cast were old and true

Zinfandel clusters showing flecks of blue

The gnarled vines would soon bring cheer

For their fruit went into bottles loved far and near

No one could have known on that dark, foggy morn

A beautiful wine would be born

So, what to name this wine crafted from its spooky host?

But simply and aptly ... the Old Ghost

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Lodi winemaker enjoys bringing people together through his craft

Todd Ziemann has made wine in Lodi since 1988, first with Sebastiani Family Vineyards and for the last 12 years as Senior Director, North Valley Winemaking at Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi and Turner Road Vintners.

Behind an iconic wine brand, such as Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, are everyday people like Todd Ziemann: Talented, committed and above all, passionate.

“The way I like to make wines is fruit with layers of complexity,” Ziemann said. “Fruit is the focus.”

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Participate in a statewide fire relief effort

Our hearts ache in the wake of the devastating fires in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino counties.

But together we can help.

California’s regional wine associations have united in the #CAWineStrong statewide fundraising project from now through the end of October. Whether winery, restaurant, other business owners or individuals, there is a way for you to pitch in and help. Here’s how:

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It's easy to be cheesy

Cindy Della Monica has one of the tastiest shops in town, Cheese Central in downtown Lodi.

Cindy Della Monica started baking bread when she was 8 years old growing up in Cupertino.

She took to gardening at age 10.

She clearly embraced farm-to-fork before it became a movement.

“The farm-to-fork movement is huge,” she said, “though that’s what we used to do all the time.”

And Della Monica still is following her childhood passion.

Cheese Central, a boutique, stand-alone cheese shop at 11 North School Street in downtown Lodi, is the culmination of Della Monica’s 40-plus years in the culinary arts. She enjoys helping educate visitors about the wonderful world of cheese – an art form nearly as old as civilization itself.

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