So love the Lodi Natives: A Zinfandel story

Yes, this Lodi story is about some very special Zinfandel wines. After touring Lodi’s historic vineyards last August we were introduced to wines from the Native Wine Project. Given Lodi's long history of growing wine grapes in California, it is home to some of the oldest Zinfandel vineyards. This Spaswinefood post will focus on the Native Wines from these vineyards.

Old Zinfandel Vines, Marian's Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Lodi Native is No Ordinary Zin

Some have said that Lodi is more than Zinfandel. That is so true. Nevertheless, there is so much more to Lodi Zinfandel than you can discover at a quick glance, Sure there is a rich diversity of Zinfandel wines but let's take a further look. Lodi Native is a collaborative project with six wineries, where they are using grapes from historical vineyards, which dates back to the late 1800’s. The winemakers are working with Zinfandel grapes from these historical vineyards, with primary focus is on making wines that express the vineyard, or terroir versus varietal character or brand.  Moreover, the overall emphasis is on sensible viticultural and minimalist winemaking practices. Such winemaking practices include native yeast fermentation and the use of no new oak. Without a doubt this project has shown me the wonderful range of possibilities for Lodi Zinfandel.

Briefly, let me not forget to mention that Zinfandel is a indeed grape with its own interesting story. The Zinfandel story continues to unfold. Recent DNA analysis now shows it to be the same grape as Primitivo and Tribidrag (an old and almost forgotten indigenous Croatian grape variety). This evolving understanding, plus Lodi winemakers bushing the boundaries of Zinfandel, means there are lots of exciting things yet to come. In the case of the Lodi Native there have been two vintages (2012 and 2013) released.

Lodi Native Wine 

Macchia Wines, our last stop for the day, was where we were introduced to the ongoing inquiry into Zinfandel wines from Lodi's historic vineyards. It was the Lodi Native Project that gave me deeper insights into wines from Lodi.

Randy Caparoso, Native Wine Project © Spaswinefood

The Lodi Native Old Vine Zinfandel panel 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.

Native Wine Project © Spaswinefood

After introductions it was time sample some wines. In the case of the Lodi Native Project the vineyards involved were Marian's Vineyard (St Amant Winery), Schmiedt Ranch (Macchia Wines), Souci Vineyard (m2 Wines),  Stampede Vineyard (Fields Family Wines), Trulux Vineyard (McCay Cellars), and Wegat Vineyard (Maley Brothers Vineyards).

Here are the Native Wine 2013 Zinfandel wines that we tasted:

1. Fields Family Wines, Stampede Vineyard, Lodi Native Zinfandel 2013 
2. Maley Brothers Vineyards, Wegat Vineyard, Lodi Native Zinfandel 2013 

Lodi Native, Stampede and Wegat Vineyards © Spaswinefood

3. McCay Cellars, Trulux  Vineyard, Lodi Native Zinfandel 2013 
4. Marian's Vineyard, Lodi Native Zinfandel 2013 

Lodi Native, Trulux and Marina's Vineyards © Spaswinefood

5. m2 Wines, Soucie Vineyard, Lodi Native Zinfandel 2013 
6. Macchia Wines, Schmidt Vineyard, Lodi Native Zinfandel 2013 

Lodi Native, Soucie and Schmeidt Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Now that was a group of wines worth tasting if you can get them.

Dinner with the Native Wine Project Winemakers
I welcomed the opportunity to dine with the Native Wine Project winemakers and fellow wine bloggers. Lodi is not only wine country but also known for its excellent farm produce. That evening we were treated to an awesome farm country dinner. It is hard to beat Lodi fresh, local produce.

Dinner, Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

Lodi Native Wines Dinner © Spaswinefood

The opportunity to engage in wine conversations while we dined was indeed special. Now a few foodie photos:

Salad © Spaswinefood

Mushrooms and Polenta © Spaswinefood

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers © Spaswinefood

Vegetable Platter © Spaswinefood

From these wonderful farm to table offerings I had an amazing dinner.

Dinner © Spaswinefood

During dinner Lodi Native winemakers also had their white and rosé wines available for tasting. For a little wine teasing checkout these rosés.

McCay Cellars Rosé 2015

McCay Cellars Rosé 2015 © Spaswinefood

St. Amant Barbera Rosé 2015

St. Amant Barbera Rosé 2015 © Spaswinefood

So enjoyed the rosé and white wines however, it was the Lodi Native Old Vine Zinfandel wines that stole the show.

Yes, there was of course dessert with wine. If you love chocolate then you will love this dessert.

Chocolate Heaven © Spaswinefood

Our dessert wine was a Macchia Wines, Amador County Port 2014.

Macchia Wines, Amador County Port 2014 © Spaswinefood

Our Lodi wine country dinner and introduction to Lodi Native Old Vine Zinfandel wines was awesome.

The Zin of Wine Conversations © Spaswinefood

The Zin of Wine Conversations
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. 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 then you develop a deeper understanding why Lodi was named 2015 wine region of the year. This wine region, with its rich viticultural history, is not only producing award-winning wines but also its top winemakers are inquiry focused. Lodi wine country has an exciting future with so much promise.

Wine Blogger, Macchia Wines © Spaswinefood

Beyond discovering the awesomeness of Lodi Zinfandel you can check out my travels in California and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.

Sharon

August 2016

Lodi, California

© Spaswinefood

Lodi Natives © Spaswinefood


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