Wine

Celebrate National Zinfandel Day with Lodi Zinfandel

November is an especially great month for red wine lovers.  Right after Lodi vintners host the 2nd annual Lodi Tour of Tempranillo November 10th-12th, Zinfandel lovers celebrate National Zinfandel Day on Wednesday, November 15th.

It is a celebration of the Zinfandel grape variety intended to give Zinfandel lovers around the world a platform to express their passion for the grape and the wines made from it.

The Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (a.k.a. ZAP) are the driving force behind the annual observation of National Zinfandel Day. Not only do they host Zinfandel themed events that celebrate the grape in cities across the country throughout the year, they also directly contribute to research aimed at preserving old-vine heritage Zinfandel plantings throughout the state.

Why Lodi Zinfandel

Lodi is the self-proclaimed Zinfandel Capital of the World for good reason. Lodi is California’s largest grower of premium Zinfandel; crushing 40% of the state’s crop each year. But it goes beyond that. The region’s combination of unique soils and climate allows Lodi grapes to develop rich fruit characters while retaining their all-important acidity. The results are characterful, balanced wines crafted in diverse styles bursting with red and black fruit flavors of cherries, raspberries, and blackberries.  The region has a rich heritage of Zinfandel sourced from plants cultivated for more than 100 years.  In fact, Lodi has more acres of old vine (including historic old-vine vineyards) than any other wine region in California.  You’ll also find Lodi Zinfandel hard to beat for value.  You’ll typically pay much more for a Napa, or Sonoma Zinfandel of comparable quality. Finally, Lodi is the leader in sustainable winegrowing in California, and you can taste the difference!

How to Celebrate with Lodi Zinfandel

Share a bottle of Lodi Zinfandel with friends – Visit a local wine shop or store and select a bottle from one of your favorite Lodi Zinfandel producers. Invite your friends over for a toast to your favorite grape variety
Visit a Lodi tasting room or wine bar. In Downtown Lodi you’ll find Cellar Door by Michael-David, Wine Social, and Lodi Wine Cellars.  the Flight Lounge.
Visit a Lodi Winery – For example, St. Amant is celebrating Zinfandel Day.  They will feature a vertical tasting of both their Mohr-Fry Zinfandel and Marian’s Vineyard Zinfandel.
Explore Zinfandel’s Food Pairing Abilities – Zinfandel pairs beautifully with a variety of cuisine. Try it with favorites like barbecue rib, lamb and chicken, but also consider pairing it with hearty pasta dishes, pizza, cioppino or tuna!  It’s also a great opportunity to find a Zinfandel to pair with Thanksgiving dinner!
Get Social – Use #ZinDay and #LodiWine hashtags while posting to your favorite social media channels and become part of the global Zinfandel conversation.

Make it a memorable Zinfandel Day with Lodi Zinfandel!

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Lodi is known as the Zinfandel capitol of the world, pulling in countless visitors each year for wine-tasting. However, the city is also known for being open and inviting to families. The following list compiles the ten best family restaurants in Lodi, according to TripAdvisor users.