Positioned between the San Francisco Bay and the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the Lodi appellation, while relatively far inland, is able to maintain a classic Mediterranean climate featuring warm, sunny days and cool evenings. This is because the appellation is uniquely situated at the end of the Sacramento River Delta, which brings chilly, afternoon “delta breezes” to the area during the growing season.

Lodi is a premier source of 100+ year-old ancient Zinfandel vineyards — some dating back as far as 1888. With low yields of small berries, these heritage vines produce complex and bold wines, concentrated in rich and voluptuous, dark fruit.

BUT Lodi doesn’t just produce Zinfandel; in fact, the appellation produces high-quality wines from over 100 different grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc as well as some of California's more rare and unique grapes. We will sample three different varietals:

House of Brown Chardonnay 2022 — House of Brown is a sister label to Brown Estate, Napa Valley’s first Black-owned estate winery. This Chardonnay is canary yellow diamond core, flaxen rim, gemstone clarity. Aromas of night blooming jasmine, tropical guava, starfruit, lychee, and key lime with stone fruit undertones. Juicy yet zesty, lythe and bright with silky, creamy texture. Medium body, lingering finish with hints of honeydew melon, limestone dust, and saline. Fermented in 100% stainless steel. Blend: 85% Chardonnay, 15% Chenin Blanc. 13.5% ABV. $20.50/7

Birichino Montague Vineyard Old Vine Carignane 'Car Car Glou Glou Akashita' 2023 — Alex Krause and John Locke founded Birichino in Santa Cruz in 2008, sourcing from a number of carefully farmed, family-owned, own-rooted 19th and early 20th century vineyards. They use minimal intervention, most often favoring native fermentations, employing stainless or neutral barrels, minimal racking, and avoiding filtration altogether when possible. But most critically, their aim is to make delicious wines that “give pleasure, revitalize, and revive"“. The label depicts Akashita [赤舌 - “red tongue”], one of the creatures of the Bakemono Zukushi or “Monster Scroll,” an Edo Period Japanese marvel of a pantheon of Yokai – spirits, phantasms, and fantastic beings. “Glou glou” denotes and onomatopoeically implies a wine to be consumed as the “glug glug” echoes from the throat, with one’s monster mouth open wide. 100% Carignane.Only 19 barrels produced. 13% ABV. $30.99/10.50

Klinker Brick Old Ghost Zinfandel 2020 — Nestled in the heart of Lodi’s most prestigious Mokelumne AVA, sit 750 acres of estate vineyards, many of which have been farmed consistently by the Felten family for six generations. The Old Ghost represents the best Zinfandel that Klinker Brick produces each year. An intense nose of black pepper and botanicals lead to full-bodied flavors of juicy pomegranate and ripe cherry layered with herb aromas. True to the Klinker Brick style, this wine is bursting with acidity and concentrated notes of bright berries and dark chocolate. Layers of complexity lead to a core of medium tannins with a long, richly textured finish. 15.9% ABV. Regularly, $49.99, but $42/14 during the tasting only.