Discovering Lodi's historic vineyards and their wines

Lodi’s historic vineyards are impressive, and so are the wines that come from these vineyards. If you have yet to discover wines from these historic vineyards now is the time. What impressed me most during the Wine Bloggers Conference #WBC16 in Lodi, California were not the talks and sessions. It was the historic vineyards tour and other field based activities where I gained insights into this wine region. Such activities enabled me to see why Lodi was named 2015 Wine Enthusiast Wine Region of the Year.

Lodi's Historic Vineyards

This Spaswinefood post will highlight our tour of Lodi’s historic vineyards, which was followed by a meeting with winemakers involved in the Native Wines Project. I had anticipated a hot day and it was. It was not hot however, just because of the temperature. Yes, I discovered amazing vineyards and wines on that tour. 

1. Bechthold Vineyard
First stop was Bechthold Vineyard on the west side Lodi’s Mokelumne River AVA. Bechthold Vineyard is known for its ancient Cinsault vines.

Bechthold Vineyard Cinsault Vines © Spaswinefood

Cinsault Gapes, Bechthold Vineyard © Spaswinefood

At Bechthold Vineyard we did a walk and tasted ancient vine Cinsault wines from Michael David Winery, Phillips Farms,  Onesta Wines, and Fields Family Wines. Yes, I tasted the following amazing Cinsault wines:

(1) Michael David Winery, Ancient Vine Cinsault 2014

Michael David Winery, Ancient Vine Cinsault 2014 © Spaswinefood

(2) Fields, Bechthold Vineyard Cinsault 2015

Fields, Bechthold Vineyard Cinsault 2015 © Spaswinefood

Fields Family Wines’ Winemaker Ryan Sherman © Spaswinefood

3. Onesta, Bechthold Vineyard, Rosé of Cinsault 2014

Onesta, Bechthold Vineyard, Rosé of Cinsault 2014 © Spaswinefood

Onesta Winemaker Jillian Johnson; Randy Caparoso, LoCA © Spaswinefood

Bechthold Vineyard was first planted in 1866. It is the oldest and continuously planted vineyard in Lodi.

2. Wegat Vineyard 
Wegat Vineyard in Lodi’s Mokelumne River AVA was our second west side stop.

Wegat Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Maley Brothers’ Owner/Winegrower Todd Maley © Spaswinefood

Our stop included a Wegat Vineyard walk and field tasting of Old Vine Zinfandel with Maley Brothers’ owner/winegrower Todd Maley, Maley Brothers’/Oak Farm Vineyards’ winemaker Chad Joseph, and Macchia Wines’ owner/winemaker Tim Holdener.

Wegat Vineyard, Mokelumne River, Zinfandel 2014

Wegat Vineyard, Mokelumne River, Zinfandel 2014 © Spaswinefood

Wegat Vineyard is described as the quintessential west side vineyard. The 21 acre vineyard was planted by the Maley brothers in 1958.

3. Marian’s Vineyard
Mohr-Fry Ranches’ Marian’s Vineyard is located on the south side of Lodi’s Mokelumne River AVA.

Moho-Fry Ranches © Spaswinefood

When we arrived at Moho-Fry Ranches we were greeted by owners/winegrowers Jerry and Bruce Fry and St. Amant Winery’s winemaker, Stuart Spencer.

 Jerry and Bruce Fry, Moho-Fry Ranches; Stuart Spencer, St. Amant Winery © Spaswinefood

We did a Marian’s Vineyard walk and tasted Old Vine Zinfandel.

Marian’s Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Old Vine Zinfandel, Marian’s Vineyard © Spaswinefood

St. Amant Winery, Marian’s Vineyard Zinfandel 2012 © Spaswinefood

I soon discovered why this 8.3 acre Marian’s Vineyard, founded in 1901, is a highly revered vineyard.

4. Victor Triangle 
Our last stop was on the east side of Lodi in Victor Triangle area of Mokelumne River AVA. 

Historic Vineyard, Victor Triangle © Spaswinefood

Old Vines, Victor Triangle © Spaswinefood

 I could not resist taking a peek at the grapes.

Old Vine August Grapes, Victor Triangle © Spaswinefood

This is area where you will find vineyards, such as Schmidt Ranch Vineyard, Kirschenmann Vineyard and McCay's Lot 13. Here I tasted some Old Vine Zinfandel, Tempranillo and Carignan with McCay Cellars’ winegrower/winemaker Michael McCay and Bokisch Vineyards’ winemaker Elyse Perry.

Michael McCay, McCay Cellars; Elyse Perry, Bokisch Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Michael McCay and Elyse Perry, Winemakers © Spaswinefood

(1) McCay Cellars, Carignane

McCay Cellars, Carignane  © Spaswinefood

(2) McCay Cellars, Lot 13 Vineyard Tempranillo 2013

McCay Cellars, Lot 13 Vineyard Tempranillo 2013 © Spaswinefood

(3) McCay Cellars, Faith Lot 13 Vineyard, Zinfandel 2012 

McCay Cellars, Faith Lot 13 Vineyard, Zinfandel 2012 © Spaswinefood

(4) Bokisch Vineyards, Kirschenmann Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel 2013 

Bokisch Vineyards, Old Vine Zinfandel 2013 © Spaswinefood

I so welcomed taking some time in shade to taste these wines. It was hot afternoon. 

Wine Bloggers Visit Vineyard in Victor Triangle © Spaswinefood

East side's Victor Triangle is another fascinating story of Lodi's viticultural history.

The above four vineyard visits certainly made me aware of Lodi’s history of growing wine grapes in California’s Mokelumne River AVA. I will conclude with a brief look at the Lodi Native Wine Project.

Lodi Native Wine Project

Our final stop, Macchia Wines, was where we were introduced to winemakers involved in the Lodi Native Wine Project. The Lodi Native Old Vine Zinfandel panel of winemakers included Fields Family Wines’ Ryan Sherman, m2 Wines’ Layne Montgomery, Macchia Wines’ Tim Holdener, Maley Brothers’ Todd Maley and Chad Joseph, McCay Cellars’ Michael McCay, and St. Amant Winery’s Stuart Spencer.

Lodi Native Wine Project Winemakers © Spaswinefood

Yes, we sampled these awesome Lodi Native Old Vine Zinfandel wines over a wine country dinner. Lodi Native winemakers also had their white and rosé wines available for tasting. However, for me it was the Lodi Native Old Vine Zinfandel wines that stole the show. 

When we departed for our Lodi hotels that evening I felt a great sense of delight. I was excited to have been part of this experience. For one can go to a wine conference, or drive by Lodi’s vineyards; yet learn very little about this wine region. However, after a day like the one I experienced, you develop an appreciation for why Lodi was named 2015 Wine Enthusiast Wine Region of the Year. It is not just because this wine region produces award-winning wines but also because Lodi has such a rich viticultural history. Moreover, given its top winemakers are engaged in inquiry focused projects, such as the Native Wine Project, the future of Lodi wine region is very promising indeed.

Wine Bloggers, Macchia Wines © Spaswinefood

You can check out my Spaswinefood travels in Lodi, California and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.

Sharon

August 2016

Lodi, California

© Spaswinefood


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Note: This trip was sponsored by #wbc16 and Lodi Wine.