Try January: Your Permission Slip to Explore Lodi Wine Country

Not doing Dry January? Try January in Lodi instead. Explore a new winery, a new varietal, and new food-and-wine moments, including Lodi Restaurant Week (Jan 23 to Feb 1).

A Fresh Way to do January in Lodi

January gets a weird reputation. Like it’s something to “get through” rather than enjoy.

If you’re doing Dry January, we respect it. Truly. Taking a break can feel great, and Lodi has plenty of ways to enjoy the season beyond the glass.

But if you’re not going dry, here’s a fun alternative that’s all upside: Try January.

The idea is simple: swap routine for curiosity. Try a new winery. Try a varietal you’ve never ordered. Try a tasting experience that’s a little different than your usual.

Because here’s the thing: new experiences stick. They turn into stories. And a month filled with small “firsts” feels longer, fuller, and way more memorable.

So let’s wake up those taste buds and stretch out January, one discovery at a time.

3 Easy Ways to do Try January

1) Try a varietal you’ve never ordered

Lodi is one of the most diverse winegrowing regions around, with 130+ varieties produced. That’s basically a built-in excuse to break out of your usual rotation.

If you’re typically a “Cab person,” try:

  • Tempranillo (food-friendly, bright, structured)
  • Barbera (juicy acidity, super versatile)
  • Petit Verdot (bold, dark, powerful)

If you’re typically a “Chard person,” try:

  • Albariño (zesty, citrusy, coastal vibes)
  • Vermentino (fresh, herbal, clean finish)
  • Viognier (aromatic, lush, surprisingly versatile)

If you love Zinfandel, keep it Lodi but switch the angle:

  • Try old vine Zinfandel
  • Try a single-vineyard Zin
  • Try Zin next to a Zin, and actually compare

Try January move: Ask for a “dealer’s choice” pour. Tell the tasting room what you usually like and ask them to pour you something adjacent but different.

2) Visit a winery you’ve never been to

With 60+ winery tasting rooms, it’s almost impossible not to have a few you’ve been meaning to check out.

Pick your adventure:

  • The hidden gem: the one you’ve driven past 20 times
  • The opposite vibe: if you usually go cozy, try modern. If you usually go modern, try rustic
  • The deep cut: choose a winery based on a varietal you’ve never tried

Try January move: Make it a two-stop day:

  • Stop 1: “New to me” winery
  • Stop 2: Your reliable favorite

Then compare what surprised you.

3) Pair your tasting with something delicious

January is a sneaky-great month for food and wine pairing because you’re not battling summer heat or packed calendars.

Put this on your radar: Lodi Restaurant Week, Jan 23 to Feb 1.
It’s a perfect Try January anchor: new restaurants, new menus, and a built-in reason to experiment with pairings.

Try January move: Order something you don’t usually get and pick a wine you wouldn’t normally pair with it. (Yes, you can pair white wine with “winter food.” It’s allowed.)

Make it a game: Try January Challenges

If you want a little structure (and a lot more fun), steal one of these mini-challenges.

The “3-2-1” Challenge (easy)

  • 3 new-to-you wines
  • 2 new-to-you wineries
  • 1 wine-and-food pairing you’ve never tried

Varietal Bingo (with friends)

Create a bingo card with categories like:

  • “A grape I can’t pronounce”
  • “A wine from a varietal I’ve never heard of”
  • “A sparkling wine in January”
  • “A red that’s not Cab or ZIn”
  • “A white that isn’t Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc”

Winner gets bragging rights and maybe fries.

The “Ask for the Weird One” Challenge

At each stop, ask: “What’s the bottle you love that most people don’t know to order?”

This is how you find the fun stuff.

Try January, Your Way (including zero-proof)

Not drinking right now? You can still do the spirit of Try January:

  • Try a new restaurant, coffee spot, or dessert destination
  • Try a winery experience for the scenery and community, and opt for a non-alcoholic option if available at Scotto's Wine & Cider or Durst Winery & Estate.
  • Try a new local event and make it about the moment, not the pour

Curiosity counts, with or without alcohol.

Your Try January Itinerary Idea

If you want a simple plan that feels like a mini-getaway:

Saturday

  • Late morning: one new winery
  • Lunch: restaurant pairing moment
  • Afternoon: second stop (choose something totally different than stop #1)
  • Evening: make dinner at home with a bottle you’ve never bought before

Sunday

  • Coffee + walk downtown
  • Restaurant Week reservation (Jan 23 to Feb 1) or a new-to-you lunch spot
  • Stock up on one “wild card” bottle to open later in the month

Lodi has always been about discovery: approachable tasting experiences, welcoming people, and an incredible range of wines to explore. So whether you’re visiting for the weekend or you’re local looking for something new, make January the month you try something different. We’ll raise a glass to that.

Wes Rhea

Author

Wes Rhea

President & CEO @ Visit Lodi

As CEO of Visit Lodi, Wes Rhea is all about making great trips happen—and occasionally taking one himself. A traveler at heart, Wes can’t resist a good wine tasting, a quirky museum, or a spontaneous detour down a country road. After nearly two decades leading destination marketing in California, he’s still most excited about what’s next. Current obsession: Lodi-grown Cinsault.