Recent Press

“Real Simple” asked sommelier Laura Burgess to come up with the perfect wines to pair with game day. I’ve taken her list a step further, suggesting wines from Lodi to go with her food and wine recommendations.

Several Lodi wineries were awarded Best of the Class in the 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the largest competition of North American wines with 6,703 entrants.

California boasts 80% of all American wine (as of 2019). Among them, Napa and Sonoma are known as excellent production areas. California is a world-renowned area that produces a lot of rare and expensive cult wines, but with its vast and diverse climate, California has many other attractive wine regions. The focus this time is on Lodi, which is easily accessible from San Francisco and San Jose. Why is it drawing attention as “NEXT Napa, Sonoma”? Find out why.

Chef Bradley Ogden’s stellar career includes more than fifteen international culinary awards including 2004 Restaurant of the Year for his Bradley Ogden at Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas, and “Best California Chef” bestowed by the James Beard Foundation. Even though Ogden remains involved in the management of Marin’s Lark Creek Inn and One Market Street in San Francisco, Ogden is now based in Lodi, where he is culinary director at Wine & Roses Inn and Resort.

Lodi’s beloved Wine & Chocolate Weekend returns on February 7-9, 2020, to celebrate its 23rd year.

Correspondent Tom Wilmer visits with David Lucas, founder of Lucas Winery in Lodi, California. Lucas started the winery with his wife Heather in 1978, when there were only three other wineries in the entire AVA. Today there are more than 90 wineries in the region, but Lucas Winery has a unique niche, as they farm the oldest head-pruned Zinfandel vines in North America.

Oak Farm Vineyards assistant winemaker Sierra Zeiter spent a portion of this year in New Zealand working the harvest for Sauvignon blanc mega-producer Kim Crawford Wines.

The Phillips family homesteaded in Lodi, California shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War. Fruits, vegetables and grapes were staple family crops for decades. The Phillips’ roadside fresh produce stand remains a Lodi destination, but its shelves and bins are equally weighted with the family’s wines.

It may be getting colder outside, but that doesn’t mean the paddling season has to end. Headwaters Kayak Shop has planned two paddle events that will allow Lodians and others from surrounding areas to enjoy the rare experience of an afternoon on the Mokelumne River during the fall and winter seasons.

Correspondent Tom Wilmer reports from Lodi, California, where he visits with Larry Mettler and his daughter Kim Mettler Ealls at Mettler Family Vineyards.

John Fogerty said he never actually visited Lodi when he wrote the classic line, “Oh Lord, stuck in Lodi again.”

Dan Panella is director of winemaking and co-owner of Oak Farm Vineyards in Lodi, California. He credits Cal Poly State University’s ‘learn by doing’ philosophy for creating prime graduates who are armed with the practical, hands-on skills sought out by the wine industry. Correspondent Tom Wilmer visits with Dan Panella and assistant winemaker and 2017 Cal Poly grad Sierra Zeiter.

Correspondent Tom Wilmer reports from Lodi, California, where he visits with Markus and Liz Bokisch at Bokisch Vineyards. Proclaimed the 2019 Winery of the Year by Visit Lodi Conference and Visitors Bureau, Bokisch has evolved the region’s wine lexicon with award-winning Iberian grape varieties including Albarino, Garnacha and Tempranillo. Bokisch is the largest organic grape grower in the Lodi AVA (American Viticultural Area) with more than 400 acres under cultivation.

The dusty streets of Lodi, Calif., are quiet on a warm autumn afternoon. Birds lap water pooling on the sidewalk under tree-lined streets. Department stores vacated the two-story brick buildings decades ago, leaving behind a handful of vintage boutiques, an old-fashioned deli, and a cheese shop. Bells twinkle overhead when a shopper opens a door and walks into the otherwise empty downtown. You wouldn’t know it by looking around, but this small agricultural town is the gateway to one of the top wine regions in the country.

“Oh Lord, stuck in Lodi again,” moaned John Fogerty, frontman of country-rock legends Creedance Clearwater Revival, in 1969. Fogerty hadn’t actually been to Lodi but anyone stuck in the Northern California town these days should count their blessings, kick back and enjoy the hiatus with a plate of local food and a fine bottle of wine.

The Central Valley wine region pours on homegrown charm, history, value and surprises for groups.

What started as a trip to see her father in Sacramento, author Kathy Chin Leong found herself discovering the wonders of Lodi and just how wrong the old Creedence Clearwater Revival

Sue Tipton crafts award-winning white wines in Acampo, California. She ignored the experts who warned she could not make it as a winemaker without also producing reds. Tipton’s white wines consistantly win multiple awards annually. Her Voignier won “Best in the State of California” at the 2016 California State Fair, and her Grenache Blanc won the prestigious “Best in Class” at the Sunset International Wine Competition.

The Panella family has been farming in the Lodi region since the 1930s. Join correspondent Tom Wilmer for a conservation with Heather and Dan Panella, third-generation farmers and winemakers who share insights about the family’s Oak Farm Vineyards, and producing award-winning wines from their 60 acres of estate vines.

Despite being a small town in Northern California, Lodi is showing that its wine scene is anything but small, producing some world-renowned wines.

Lodi has been chugging along as a major wine and grape producer for more than a Century. Located in the San Joaquin Valley a hundred miles inland from San Francisco and a five-hour drive from Hollywood, Lodi is a highly recommended weekend wine getaway.

Lodi, California, long known solely for voluminous grape production, is quietly becoming a California wine country destination of distinction. With more than 110,000 acres of vineyards (more than twice that of Napa Valley) and 750 growers, the Lodi AVA (American Viticulture Area) is California’s largest producer of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petite sirah, syrah, chardonnay, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc and, of course, zinfandel. Nearly half of the grapes produced here find their way to Napa and Sonoma Valley winemakers who prize the fruit from the Mediterranean-style climate found in San Joaquin County.

Join correspondent Tom Wilmer reporting from Lodi, California, where he visits with two-time James Beard Award-winning chef Bradley Ogden.

Correspondent Tom Wilmer discovers why USA Today and the Wine Enthusiast both ranked Lodi, California as a world-class wine destination where food, kayaking, and biking are equal allures.

Correspondent Tom Wilmer visits with Lodi wine pioneers, Heather Pyle-Lucas and David Lucas, at their historic ZinStar Vineyards. The Lucas’ have been crafting award-winning Zinfandel since 1978, when their winery was one of three in the entire Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA). Today there are 86 wineries in the region that’s been dubbed the Zinfandel Capital of the World.

Wine & Roses Hotel is in Lodi, California, one of the nation’s hottest wine destinations. The hotel also houses the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center in a two-story adobe building. There’s a demonstration vineyard nearby, where Merlot, Syrah and other grapes crowd individual rows. While there is an adjacent thoroughfare and ball diamond, once you step inside the lushly landscaped hotel, everything outside fades away. You’ll find spacious rooms and two restaurants onsite. There’s also a fabulous spa and gorgeous outdoor pool. This is lodging that charms guests amid soothing, upscale surroundings, providing a perfect place to stay in Lodi, California.

Wayne Craig talks about Lodi’s diversity of attractions with it’s family-owned wineries and wine trail as popular draws.

Chef Pete Murdaca shares his passion for creating old-world style cuisine at Pietro’s Italian eatery in Lodi, California.

Russ Munson General Manager Lodi’s Wine & Roses hotel talks about Lodi as an under-the-radar California wine and general lifestyle vacation destination.

Roger Rehmke talks about the art and craft of crafting killer brew as well as distinctive culinary offerings in his combination restaurant brewpub.

Lodi, California Mayor Mark Chandler talks about the region’s 150-year history as a premier wine growing region and how it has grown to become a prime destination for tourism and wine seekers.

Georgia Lerner, owner of Harney Lane Winery in Lodi, California talks about her family winery’s 120-year farm history, their award-winning Zinfandel, other wines and tasting room.

Steve Felton talks passionately about the evolution of fine, award-winning wines, and how whites, reds, especially Burgundies are taking some of the shine from the shine from the revered and legendary Old-Vine Zins.

Marcus and Liz Bokish talk about introducing Spanish varieties to Lodi’s wine region, their sustainable, and organic practices, and their passion as growers and winemakers.

Artisanal winemaker, Layne Montgomery talks story about m2 Wines in Lodi California and their passion for old-vine Zinfandel, the Lodi Native Movement and more.

Sarah Williams and winemaker Greg Burns talk about the historic circa-1860’s Jessie’s Grove Winery and their circa-1880’s ancient Zinfandel vines in Lodi, California

Sue Tipton, owner of Acquiesce Winery in Acampo CA, Lodi AVA only produces white wines. She talks about her focus and why her wines have helped to level the playing field with reds, which historically have cast a shadow over the world of white wines

Lodi grape grower and winemaker Tim Holdener shares his passion for the ancient art of winemaking–a truly hands-off approach embraced by the “Lodi Native” group of daring vintners.

Organic grape growers and award-winning Zinfandel and Chardonnay winemakers, David Lucas and Heather Pyle-Lucas share their 38 year passion of producing some of Lodi’s most legendary wines.

Visit California’s unsung wine country hero.

In Lodi Wine Country, every winemaker has a story to tell, and it’s worth listening.

From unexpected outdoor adventure, museums, wine, and more.

From little nibbles to full-on feasts, writer Jamie Siebrase guides us through where to eat in Lodi, California.

Recognizing Lodi’s Tourism Advocate and Winery of the Year.

Roughly 70 miles east of Napa and Sonoma is Lodi, California, another welcoming wine region with all of the vineyard charm — yet none of the traffic and sky-high prices — of its westerly neighbors. In fact, with more vineyard square acreage than Napa, Sonoma and all of California’s central valley combined, you’re sure to have indulged in multiple Lodi varietals without even knowing it.

So what about this little town of 60,000 makes it the new and improved Napa? Read on to find out.

In California’s Central Valley, right in the heart of Zinfandel country, Lodi CA is home to more than one hundred varieties of wine. You’ll find Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and a vast assortment of local favorites, with a thrilling list of wineries and tasting bars to fill a weekend itinerary.

Lodi, CA may be known for its wineries and tasting tours, but its small-town charm is packed with vintage appeal perfect for exploring history, stellar shopping, and touring tasty treats. Located just 35 miles south of Sacramento, Lodi is an easily accessible location a heartbeat off Interstate 5. Here in the northern part of California’s Central Valley, you’ll find plenty of independent eateries and retailers to keep you occupied for a weekend getaway.

Recent months have brought sweet success to the Lodi wine region, and this weekend could be even sweeter. The local wine scene will take the spotlight once again with the 19th annual Lodi Wine and Chocolate Weekend scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

Visit Lodi! Conference and Visitors Bureau has launched a new interactive bike map and brochure to help visitors explore the region on wheels. The map highlights several routes the includes stops at local shops, eateries and wineries — all bike-friendly

Wine Enthusiast magazine announced Lodi as its 2015 Wine Region of the Year on Tuesday. “It’s grabbed international attention for the quality of the new wines made from its legendary old Zinfandel vines and a profusion of young, diverse grape varieties,” the magazine wrote.

Reason #1: The pies have it — With their puffed, golden crusts, the apple pies at Phillips Farms look more like small mountains than dessert. The popular farm stand-cafe sells a large variety of pies, but the apple, peach boysenberry and mixed berry — all made with seasonal fruit — are customer favorites.

Some people simply see grapes as they look around Ron Silva’s ranch. And indeed, there are lots and lots of grapes at his 350-acre Silvaspoons Vineyards in the delta’s Lodi appellation. But as Silva wanders his estate on the Alta Mesa plateau in Galt (Sacramento County), he sees history. Planted with 21 obscure varieties like Alvarinho, Souzão, Touriga Nacional and Tinto Cão, the property showcases an entirely uncommon crop for Lodi — Old World Portuguese grapes.

Mila and Ashton visited Lodi Wine Country while honeymooning in Northern California. They enjoyed dinner at El Maguey Mexican Grill and wine tasting at Wine & Roses Hotel, Resort and Spa.

Downtown Lodi is ground zero for wine tasting, dining of all cuisines, entertainment, local art and shopping at several of the city’s ‘mom and pop’ shops…

ust a day after 144 cyclists zoomed down Lodi streets for the Amgen Tour of California, event organizers and city officials are hailing the Lodi Stage 2 finish as a success. While the big closing to the second stage in Lodi was broadcast around the world, the event brought thousands to watch from the finish line on Hutchins Street…

Just an hour outside the East Bay, the city of Lodi—loved for its Zinfandels and warm, welcoming vibe—brims with wineries and neighborhood eateries…

A police officer is posted next to a loading zone on Elm Street, forever frozen in the act of writing up a parking ticket. A woman is perched on a bench outside the Downtown Lodi Visitors Center on School Street, endlessly reading a page in a book. Oh, and Marilyn Monroe is trying to manage her unruly dress outside Lodi Stadium 12. Don’t worry. No one has been placed under a strange spell. These people are all bronze sculptures set up in Downtown…

The Lodi wine region, anchored by a renovated old town, lies about 30 minutes south of Sacramento—an easy drive for a day of wine tasting or a weekend mini-getaway. Depending on your route, it might not look like much more than a weary Central Valley town that’s home to fewer than 70,000 people, a spot that’s roasting in the summer and foggy in the winter. But come in on the back roads and you’ll notice the vineyards, just now greening up from winter bare, some of the vines beefy and gnarled from more than a century in production. Then, as you poke around, you discover some gems…

Wine may be the vanguard of Lodi’s reputation, but there is much more to this city of 64,000 residents. Lodi is a well-planned, 13-square-mile community that offers an ideal environment in which to work and live. With competitively priced housing, business development opportunities, close proximity to Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco, and world-class attractions including Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, it’s easy to see why so many visitors become Lodi residents…

Thanks to ambitious vintners, rising demand from drinkers, a taste shift to lighter wine styles, and yes, even climate change, the number of global hot spots for wine is ever expanding. If you’re still rattling off the names of the old, long-famous regions, you’re way behind the times. In these eight spots, good wine is on its way to becoming great wine, with a few stars leading the way…

“She’s kind of an olive oil snob. She just expects it because we have it at every meal,” says her dad, Mike Coldani. Not only is olive oil a part of every meal in the Coldani house, but it is also front and center during family discussions and even get-togethers as the team of siblings, spouses and close family friends run Calivirgin, an extra virgin olive oil company. The Coldani family has planted more than 50,000 trees on their farm near Lodi on Highway 12, where they have raised crops for 80 years…

Cindy Della Monica was working in her Lodi specialty food store, Cheese Central, when a newlywed couple from Santa Barbara walked through the door. The two wine enthusiasts had come to spend a week exploring the wine lounges, food and shopping in downtown Lodi. That included a stop at Della Monica’s store on School Street, which offers 100 varieties of cheese and a host of accompanying foods…