Lodi Wineries

Sample region’s quality vintages

By News-Sentinel staff

Lodi, Woodbridge and the surrounding foothills are among California’s few remaining unspoiled destinations for wine fanciers — offering myriad quality vintages at surprisingly affordable prices.

These tasting rooms offer some of the most genuine tasting experiences to be had in the state — guests are often able to rub elbows and chat with wine makers about their bottlings at these small, cozy “boutique” wineries.

Other vintners in the area represent some of the biggest and most respected names in the world of wine, such as Robert Mondavi and Sebastiani.

Three of the most recent additions to the area’s tasting rooms reflect this diversity.

The Lucas Winery
18196 North Davis Road
Lodi, Calif.
(209) 368-2006
E-mail: david@lucaswinery.com
Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday
Tours: Available by appointment

The new winery was completed in April 2000 and its design is as an expression of the style and character of the wines Lucas Winery produces, David Lucas says.

“This winery was created to demonstrate the highest potential of the Lodi Appellation and provide an elegant space in which to learn about and enjoy wine, food and the art of winemaking,” he says. “Our goal is to make the connection between the vine and the wine, to build a bridge between the soil and the soul and the art of creating exceptional wines.”

The architectural goal of the new winery is to preserve the traditional California agricultural elements and honor the classical old zinfandel vineyards that surround it, Lucas says.

“Based on our years of winemaking research it was built specifically to handle the wines as gently as possible.”

Tours, which are about one hour long, are by appointment and are fun in-depth, vine-to-wine educational visits, Lucas says.

The tours begin in the ZinStar vineyard and include a barrel tasting in the Grand Chai.

“We are dedicated to creating wines that are more tempting than terrifying, to make small amounts of wine without compromise. The wines are pure 100 percent varietal. Each of our selected vineyards has the ability to stand on its own and show its unique style and personality. It’s that simple.”

Peirano Estate
21831 N. Highway 99
Acampo, Calif.
(209) 369-9463
E-mail: pr@peirano.com
Tasting Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday to Thursday

Peirano Estate, a family-owned operation which boasts some of the oldest zinfandel vines in the area, two years ago opened the doors of its tasting room and gift shop to the public.

The homey feel of the small, shake-facade building is no coincidence. Located on the west frontage road parallel to Highway 99, just north of Acampo Road, the tasting room was at one time the Peirano family’s home.

Built in 1904, it was moved back in 1950 when the state built the southbound lanes of Highway 99, said Teresa Murphy, Peirano’s national marketing and sales coordinator.

The estate has been in the family for 100 years, since Giacomo Peirano established it. Giacomo Peirano is great-grandfather of the current owner Lance Randolph.

Peirano also has a gift shop, deli, and picnic areas surrounded by 300 acres of grapes, for those who want to make a day of it.

Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi
Winery Visitors Center
5950 Woodbridge Road
Acampo, Calif.
(209) 365-2839
E-mail: info@woodbridgewines.com
Tastings and Retail Sales: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday
Tours: 9:30 a.m.

Another recent addition, Woodbridge Winery, part of the Robert Mondavi wine-making empire, opened a tasting room and gift shop in June 1999 at 5950 E. Woodbridge Road.

One of the tasting room’s featured items is a line of wine called Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Winemaker’s Selection, which is not available in stores.

The tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

In addition to tasting, the winery holds a public tour each day at 9:30 with complimentary tastings. Private tours and tastings are available by appointment.

Call Dan Barnes at (209) 365-2839.

Not new, but certainly a local landmark, the old is a mid-sized winery with a rich local history.

Founded in 1934, at the repeal of prohibition, the 32-member cooperative is one of California’s longest continually running cooperative wineries.

The tasting room and gift shop, located at 6100 E. Highway 12, is one of the more unique tasting spots.

Known affectionately as “tank 150” by some employees, the giant, redwood half-barrel used to hold up to 50,000 gallons of wine before it was bought by the co-op in 1965 and converted into retail space.

Oakridge’s tasting room is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

There is a gift shop and picnic area.

For more information, their phone is (209) 369-4758, ext. 6.

Lucas, Peirano, Oakridge and Mondavi represent only a drop in the barrel of what is out there for wine enthusiasts visiting the Lodi area.

There are dozens of small boutique wineries — some in Lodi itself and others in the surrounding foothill communities of Calaveras and Amador counties.

Some have regular hours but many arrange tastings and tours by appointment.

For those who don’t like to take self-guided tours, each May area grape growers band together and hold an event called Wines to Wines.

Participants — given a map, a starting place, and a wine tasting glass — visit about seven wineries.

Wineries participating in 1999 included Phillips Farms, Spenker, Lucas, Peirano Estates, Woodbridge, St. Amant and Oakridge wineries.

Beside sampling wine, there is usually food and educational features about wine making, said Betty Ann Spenker of the Spenker Winery, 17303 De Vries Road.

Subjects might be barrels and how they influence the taste of wine, or how weather and soil affect the flavor of grapes.

“People get a better feel for not only what wine tastes like but how it is made,” Spenker said.

Vines to Wines organizers have typically targeted the tour for the last week in May.

But the date and the participating wineries are not fixed, Spenker said. For information, call (888) 700-LODI (5634).



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		Sample region’s quality vintages By News-Sentinel staff Lodi, Woodbridge and the surrounding foothills are among California’s few remaining unspoiled destinations for wine fanciers — offering myriad quality vintages at surprisingly affordable prices. These tasting rooms offer some of the most genuine tasting experiences to be had in the state — guests are often able to rub elbows and chat with wine makers about their bottlings at these small, cozy “boutique” wineries. Other vintners in the area represent some of the biggest and most respected names in the world of wine, such as Robert Mondavi and Sebastiani. Three of the most recent additions to the area’s tasting rooms reflect this diversity. The Lucas Winery 18196 North Davis Road Lodi, Calif. (209) 368-2006 E-mail: david@lucaswinery.com Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday Tours: Available by appointment The new winery was completed in April 2000 and its design is as an expression of the style and character of the wines Lucas Winery produces, David Lucas says. “This winery was created to demonstrate the highest potential of the Lodi Appellation and provide an elegant space in which to learn about and enjoy wine, food and the art of winemaking,” he says. “Our goal is to make the connection between the vine and the wine, to build a bridge between the soil and the soul and the art of creating exceptional wines.” The architectural goal of the new winery is to preserve the traditional California agricultural elements and honor the classical old zinfandel vineyards that surround it, Lucas says. “Based on our years of winemaking research it was built specifically to handle the wines as gently as possible.” Tours, which are about one hour long, are by appointment and are fun in-depth, vine-to-wine educational visits, Lucas says. The tours begin in the ZinStar vineyard and include a barrel tasting in the Grand Chai. “We are dedicated to creating wines that are more tempting than terrifying, to make small amounts of wine without compromise. The wines are pure 100 percent varietal. Each of our selected vineyards has the ability to stand on its own and show its unique style and personality. It’s that simple.” Peirano Estate 21831 N. Highway 99 Acampo, Calif. (209) 369-9463 E-mail: pr@peirano.com Tasting Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday to Thursday Peirano Estate, a family-owned operation which boasts some of the oldest zinfandel vines in the area, two years ago opened the doors of its tasting room and gift shop to the public. The homey feel of the small, shake-facade building is no coincidence. Located on the west frontage road parallel to Highway 99, just north of Acampo Road, the tasting room was at one time the Peirano family’s home. Built in 1904, it was moved back in 1950 when the state built the southbound lanes of Highway 99, said Teresa Murphy, Peirano’s national marketing and sales coordinator. The estate has been in the family for 100 years, since Giacomo Peirano established it. Giacomo Peirano is great-grandfather of the current owner Lance Randolph. Peirano also has a gift shop, deli, and picnic areas surrounded by 300 acres of grapes, for those who want to make a day of it. Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Winery Visitors Center 5950 Woodbridge Road Acampo, Calif. (209) 365-2839 E-mail: info@woodbridgewines.com Tastings and Retail Sales: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday Tours: 9:30 a.m. Another recent addition, Woodbridge Winery, part of the Robert Mondavi wine-making empire, opened a tasting room and gift shop in June 1999 at 5950 E. Woodbridge Road. One of the tasting room’s featured items is a line of wine called Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Winemaker’s Selection, which is not available in stores. The tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In addition to tasting, the winery holds a public tour each day at 9:30 with complimentary tastings. Private tours and tastings are available by appointment. Call Dan Barnes at (209) 365-2839. Not new, but certainly a local landmark, the old is a mid-sized winery with a rich local history. Founded in 1934, at the repeal of prohibition, the 32-member cooperative is one of California’s longest continually running cooperative wineries. The tasting room and gift shop, located at 6100 E. Highway 12, is one of the more unique tasting spots. Known affectionately as “tank 150” by some employees, the giant, redwood half-barrel used to hold up to 50,000 gallons of wine before it was bought by the co-op in 1965 and converted into retail space. Oakridge’s tasting room is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. There is a gift shop and picnic area. For more information, their phone is (209) 369-4758, ext. 6. Lucas, Peirano, Oakridge and Mondavi represent only a drop in the barrel of what is out there for wine enthusiasts visiting the Lodi area. There are dozens of small boutique wineries — some in Lodi itself and others in the surrounding foothill communities of Calaveras and Amador counties. Some have regular hours but many arrange tastings and tours by appointment. For those who don’t like to take self-guided tours, each May area grape growers band together and hold an event called Wines to Wines. Participants — given a map, a starting place, and a wine tasting glass — visit about seven wineries. Wineries participating in 1999 included Phillips Farms, Spenker, Lucas, Peirano Estates, Woodbridge, St. Amant and Oakridge wineries. Beside sampling wine, there is usually food and educational features about wine making, said Betty Ann Spenker of the Spenker Winery, 17303 De Vries Road. Subjects might be barrels and how they influence the taste of wine, or how weather and soil affect the flavor of grapes. “People get a better feel for not only what wine tastes like but how it is made,” Spenker said. Vines to Wines organizers have typically targeted the tour for the last week in May. But the date and the participating wineries are not fixed, Spenker said. For information, call (888) 700-LODI (5634).
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