Lodi Wine Utopia

As a conscientious Lodi resident, I figured I’d better submit my suggestions for the General Plan while it is still coming together.

Completely selfishly, I’m happy to see the business and city leadership staking the future of our precious town on the wine industry.

I’m squarely in the camp of subscribers to the idea that more recognition for the quality of our local wines will improve the quantity of dollars that fourth-generation wine growers receive for grapes. That, in turn, is really the best way to maintain our unique identity and prevent us from becoming North Stockton.

A thriving School Street with a critical mass of interesting wall-to-wall stores and restaurants, along with recognized national brands and a nice hotel, circled by New York style brownstones would keep overnight guests coming back for more.

Continued access for wineries to our state-of-the-art water treatment plant at White Slough will help grow successful boutique wineries to the next level. Safe bike paths and trails to the wineries would also be nice.

Good-sized “Welcome to Lodi” signs on the east and west approaches with photo-op turnouts wouldn’t hurt in establishing our collective brand.

High-density office complexes, like Blue Shield, located on the industrial east side would encourage restaurants serving the lunch rush and give commuters ideas for spending the weekend with the family shopping and tasting the best of Lodi.