Quaint downtown Lodi
About Lodi Wine Country
Lodi wine country is a totally different atmosphere than the Napa Valley or Sonoma. It does not have the vast number of fine dining establishments and lodging experiences. It does not have the luxurious tasting rooms or high-end tasting fees of the Napa Valley. What Lodi wine country does have to offer is good wine and a fun travel experience. A wine country getaway to Lodi is more relaxed and less hectic than visiting the more popular wine regions of California. It is just old-fashioned wine country, with a laid-back style throughout the area. Lodi wine country has long been noted for its old vine Zinfandels that are often produced in big, bold and extracted styles. Yet, there is much more to Lodi wines than Zinfandel. A few vineyard farmers have discovered that Lodi has the ideal terroir for growing several Spanish grapes. The key driver in this Spanish aspect to Lodi is Markus Bokisch of Bokisch Vineyards. Markus grows and sells grapes and makes wines. His mother is from Spain, and thus the connection to Spanish grapes. You can taste Bokisch wines at the CellarDoor, a tasting bar in downtown Lodi. Another winery that is a fun visit is Harney Lane. They make a very nice and clean Albariño wine.