Lodi, California: A Wine Lover’s Paradise
Approximately 20% of California’s wine grapes come from Lodi, making it one of America’s leading producers of some of the country’s favorite grapes. But Lodi isn’t just a destination for wine lovers; it’s also a prime location for outdoor recreation, breathtaking natural beauty, and a temperate climate with fewer crowds.
Start your trip at Wine & Roses, a locally-owned resort hotel nestled within a tropical paradise. Open your double doors to the sound of a waterfall and songbirds, settle in, and you will have everything you need. The grounds are stunningly beautiful, with overflowing hydrangeas in every hue, canopies of trees, leafy ferns, and fountains. You will find the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center on the property, where you can learn about and taste regional wines without ever leaving your resort. And, steps outside your room, you can grab a coffee and fresh pastries and sandwiches at Towne Corner Café & Market.
The resort’s Towne House Restaurant is open for weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner and, along with the adjoining bar, offers fine dining and hand-crafted cocktails. The sounds as you tour the property are unforgettable, from the parrots that say hello as you walk by, to the splash of water just outside your spa treatment room, to the live music serving as a backdrop to the spirited atmosphere in the bar. The resort offers special events throughout the year, and their Easter Brunch kicks off spring in style.
A stroll around the gardens of Wine & Roses, which is just a short drive from all that Lodi has to offer, is a study in beauty and tranquility.
Wine & Roses’ central location makes it easy to get to everything you want, from wine to cycling to kayaking. Just a short drive away is the picturesque Lodi Lake, where you can kayak or paddleboard through beautiful lagoons. Headwaters Kayak offers classes and everything you need to see the waterbird life, tall grasses, turtles sunning on rocks, and beautiful resident homes that pop up at various portions of the lake and its lagoons.
Cycling through Lodi’s quaint town and out into the vineyards is a joy in and of itself, but the wine that awaits you is an extra treat. Rent bikes from local shops like Lodi Cyclery and take a spin on routes that can challenge or be a pure breeze depending on your preferences. You can even bike through wine country to get to Oak Farm Vineyards, truly a gorgeous estate. Take a stroll around the grounds to see the restored white colonial home built in 1876 and surrounded by ancient oak trees. Then step into the breathtaking tasting room and ask for the estate-grown Fiano.
For a little peace and tranquility, visit the completely unexpected and impressive Micke Grove Japanese Garden. Dedicated to the Japanese residents of Joaquin County, this secret hideaway beckons you across its red arched bridge to meander along a babbling brook, where waterfalls splash into a koi fish pond. Follow the stepping stones around the stone lanterns that rise up out of the landscape, and stop to appreciate the maple trees bursting through sea of lush, green landscape.
To sample a variety of grapes, belly up to the tasting bar at the eclectic Michael David Winery, which offers wine for varying tastes. Sip their popular Inkblot Petit Syrah under a covered, pond-side cabana, and hear the story of how their whimsical labels were designed. Grab some lunch at the on-site farmstand Cafe & Bakery, where the locals flock for homemade pies and meat sourced from the local 4H program.
If white wine is more your speed, Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards is for you. Their small batch productions of Roussanne 2020 and Grenache Blanc 20202 have won Best of Class awards, and their Clairette Blanche and double gold medal 2021 Belle Blanc are divine. Bokisch Vineyards, with hilltop views of the vines and the sunset, made an Alberiño lover out of me.
Lodi marries wine with the great outdoors, making it one of California’s hidden gems. Don’t wait for everyone else to discover it; check out these upcoming wine events when making your plans.
