Wine experts to attend Lodi industry seminar Tuesday

Wine brokers from across the country will converge on Lodi early next week for a seminar on the retail wine industry.

The Global Wine Group in Woodbridge -- which produces the Jewel Wine Collection -- is hosting the events Monday and Tuesday, which include a barbecue and mixer, a tour of local wineries and a seminar at Wine & Roses Hotel and Restaurant. The visit gives the Lodi appellation an opportunity to showcase itself to some prominent people in the industry, said Jim Harte, vice president of marketing for the Global Wine Group.

"These are all folks that have been in the industry for a very long time," Harte said. "They have their finger on the pulse of what's going on out there."

Though much of the visit revolves around industry specifics, portions of the visit will give the wine group an opportunity to show off some of its vineyards, Harte said. A barbecue will be held at Harmony Wynelands on East Harney Lane the night before Tuesday's seminar, where brokers can see first-hand one of the appellation's wineries.

"We'll be discussing some of our growing techniques and showcasing some of the beautiful vineyards in Lodi," Harte said.

A presentation on the Lodi appellation will also be given at the seminar Tuesday, said Mark Chandler, executive director of the Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission. He said it benefits all the local wineries when a winemaker like Jewel brings national attention to the area.

"For so many years, all of our grapes went into wines with California labels," Chandler said. "Now that we have so many Lodi labels, we have to educate the trade about the appellation."