Lodi Wines - California

Lodi Wine Visitor Center and local wineries

The Lodi Wine Visitor Center not only had great information for us about the local wineries but also carried a variety of the local wines with tastings available and a the tasting menu offered a mix of the local wineries. Joe, who works there, was fabulous with his knowledge base of the local wines and wineries. After sampling some of the local wines, we ordered food from the next-door cafe to bring in and enjoy with a glass of wine. We bought one bottle, a 2022 Markus Essenzo, to enjoy with lunch. A classic, full-bodied, balanced, and dry with black cherries and more from 33-year-old vines. We chose from our faves on the tasting menu and decided to give those wineries a visit. One that day and the other for another day. Many of the Wineries were running on winter hours while we were there, so you may want to check first before visiting.

Lodi is a major winegrowing region in California. It's known for its full-bodied Old Vine Zinfandel wines. Lodi also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier. 

More about Lodi wine

• The velvety smoothness of Lodi wines is due to its sandy loam soils and Mediterranean climate. 

• Lodi wines often have an authentic quality with a hint of earthiness. 

• Lodi's natural wines are lighter, showcasing a fresher acidity and fruit profile. 

• The unpredictability of Lodi's natural wines comes from the unique characteristics of each vintage. 

• Since the 1850s, Lodi has been a significant winegrape growing region.

Harney Lane Winery - We left Lodi and made our way to Harney Lane. It was a busy little place but not overly so, there was more than enough room to find as the tasting room was huge and offered many cozy sitting spots as well as a beautiful outdoor patio which reminded me so much of the ones in Italy. The wines were all good, and my top pick was The Lizzie James Old Vine Zinfandel Port. I purchased a bottle to take with me.

Bokisch Vineyards - There's no shortage of WOW factor when you walk up to this winery. It has such a wonderful outdoor seating area one cannot resist wanting to stay for a glass of vino after a tasting and marvel at the vineyards and rolling hills. The tasting room was decorated with beautiful old pieces of furniture, rustic art, and keepsakes for sale. Justin, standing behind the tasting counter with his warm smile, greeted us and welcomed us in. We ordered from the menu and enjoyed a tasting of a sparkling wine, a white, a rosé, and two reds, all of which were exquisite. Justin was well-versed in the wines, and I loved his passion for his work as he spoke with his hands and facial expressions when talking about the wines. We purchased a bottle of the 2020 Monastrell and joined lovely couple (Dave and Maureen) we had met earlier inside the tasting room. Enjoying the views, we chatted about our mutual travel adventures and whiled away the afternoon with new friends under the California sun until it fell low into the sky and it was time to part ways. Put this one on your list of must-sees!

Lodi is a beautiful area full of great wineries.

“Wine is the only artwork you can drink." - Luis Fernando Olaverri

Salute!

Bill & Cat