Lodi Wine Tour December 13, 2009

Welcome to Lodi Wine Country! You’ll find a classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool nights, the perfect environment for making great wines.

You'll encounter wineries large and small, brand new and decades old. The beautiful vineyard scenery in Lodi tells the tale of both young and old vines. Whether young or old, Lodi vines yield wines that are irresistible.

An area originally dominated by table grapes, Lodi began a gradual conversion to premium varietal winegrapes in the late 60's in response to changes in consumer tastes and other market forces. The area's transition to premium wines got a boost when the Lodi AVA was approved in 1986. Lodi was no longer the wine industry's best kept secret as awareness began to build for the distinctive quality of Lodi wines.

Today, Lodi is home to nearly two dozen wineries, hundreds of "Lodi" labeled wines, and thousands of acres of premium winegrapes. It is a region where a new generation of growers and winemakers are producing world-class wines that rival the best that California has to offer.

We'll Visit the Following Wineries:

D’Art Wines
Dave and Helen Dart started making one-barrel lots of wine in their home, winning numerous awards in that allowed them to make a leap of faith and open a seven-acre vineyard and winery. They named their winery D’art or “of Art” because they believe that winemaking is an expression of art using a different medium. Here you’ll experience their handcrafted wines, which are rich and fruit-forward.

Vino Con Brio
Vino Con Brio is a bright, bold, and fun winery that produces eclectic grapes and unparalleled wines, vibrant with flavor and complex character. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and their award-winning wines, including Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, an off-dry Rose, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Pinotage, Sangiovese, blends, dessert wine, and a sparkler.

Michael~David Vineyards

The Phillips family has been farming ever since their great-great-grandfather Andrew Harshner and his wife Lucille homesteaded 160 acres following the Civil War in the 1860s. Now the sixth generation continues their agricultural pursuits growing vegetables, fruit and 15 varieties of wine grapes.
Though not a certified organic winery, Michael~David Vineyards strives to use all-natural methods, including integrated pest management, beneficial insects for pest control, trellising, leaf-pulling and the use of natural-mined sulfur for mildew control. Their varieties include Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Viognier, Roussanne, Chardonnay and Symphony. Their flagship wine is Zinfandel, featuring their popular Earthquake Zin and Seven Deadly Zin labels.

The winery tasting room is part of a complex of single-story buildings on Highway 12 near Interstate 5. The spacious and rambling tasting room is part of a large gourmet country store and informal restaurant that has a regular clientele for their hearty breakfasts, lunches and freshly baked pies. The wine-tasting counters are off to the right, crowded between tables of wine accessories, exotic cheeses, fresh vegetables and a slew of gift items. Family members frequently serve as your hosts as you taste your way through their extensive wine list.

Around back are acres of gardens, lawns, covered picnic areas, a tree-shaded pond with raucous ducks, goats, dozens of chickens, a handful of friendly Barbados Blackbelly sheep and - yes - a winery.

We'll enjoy lunch at Micheal-David.
Cost: $40.00 per person (Lunch not included)
Departure Time: 10:00am
Return Time:4:00pm

Official Website: http://www.sacdaytrips.com