A first look at 2009 vintages at Lodi's First Sip wine-tasting event

Wineries in Lodi, Acampo, Woodbridge and Lockeford, as well as tasting rooms Downtown, are participating in the third annual First Sip today and tomorrow, an event offering wine tasters a chance to travel from vineyard to vineyard and sample 2009 vintages and other treats.

"Everyone is going to have a great time," said Mark Chandler, executive director of the Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission.

More than 40 wineries in the region are participating in the event that is expected to attract from 1,500 to 2,000 participants. Chandler said advance ticket sales are up 15 percent from last year. The 2008 event drew roughly 1,300 people, according to Chandler.

The weather forecast indicated temperatures will be in the lowto mid-60s.

Participating wineries will be offering seminars, tastings and live music, as well as food and tours of their vineyards.

"It's going to be hard to get everything in in two days," Chandler said.

Tickets can be purchased at the door of participating wineries for $45. Ticket sales are final and non-refundable, but are good for today and Sunday. Guests must wear their wristbands on both days. Designated driver passes are available for free. Designated drivers can participate in events, tours and other offerings, but they cannot sample the alcoholic beverages.

The festivities will take place today and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.firstsiplodi.com.

Contact reporter Jordan Guinn at jordang@lodinews.com.

What some wineries and tasting rooms are offering at First Sip

Lodi Wine Cellars
112 W. Pine St.
365-6622
The newly opened tasting room in Downtown will be pouring its selection of wines with foccacia bread and assorted gourmet cheeses. Live Jazz music will be played as well.

Heritage Oak Winery
10112 E. Woodbridge Road, Acampo
986-2763
Wine tasting, live music, cheese tasting, assorted appetizers and recipes from the Holms Family cookbook.

m2 Wines
1376 E. Turner Road, Suite D
339-1071
Will be offering its 2009 Tempranillo and 2009 Old Vine Zinfandel. There will be a barrel sampling the 2008 Soucie Vineyard "Old Vine" Zinfandel as well. The Big Green Egg Outdoor Kitchen will serve chicken, tri-tip and more. South Lake Tahoe artist Reds Regan will be displaying art pieces.

Michael~David Winery
4580 W. Highway 12
368-7384
Michael~David winery will be serving comfort foods like mac-n-cheese plus its new 2009 Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel Port.

Abundance Vineyards
1150 W. Turner Road
334-0274
Jenny Lind and the Hired Guns will be performing on Saturday and the Cross Towne Band will be performing Sunday. The vineyard will be offering barrel tastings of its port.

Ripken Vineyards & Winery
2472 W. Sargent Road
367-9463
Will be offering its 2009 Federweisser, a sweet, bubbly and still fermenting white wine. It will be paired with Zwiebelkuchen, a traditional onion bread from Southwestern Germany. Tin Roof BBQ will be selling barbecue sandwiches as well.

Reader Feedback

onestooge wrote on Nov 15, 2009 12:13 AM:

" just what we need, wineries contributing to drunk driving in our town. the winery who served the drunk who gets in wreck and hurts or kills someone should be held responsible. stay off the back roads. "

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RaiderHater wrote on Nov 14, 2009 5:15 PM:

" Will there be taco trucks open today so I can go grub after I get my wine drinkin' in....or did the city close them all up? "

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GetUrHeadOut wrote on Nov 14, 2009 7:47 AM:

" Just what we need; more people DRINKING and DRIVING! Anytime you have to pay that much $$$ to DRINK for "free" people drink MORE in order to get their $$$'s worth! Oh but it is just wine so it is ok!

Watch out people; you and your kids might get killed by a DRUNK wine-o today! "

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