Lodi, California is a hidden gem for wine lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. According to the Lodi Winegrape Commission, approximately 20% of California’s wine grapes come from Lodi. With so many wineries and tasting opportunities to explore, Lodi offers an unforgettable wine-tasting experience.
However, Lodi has much more to offer than just wine. The area provides access to outdoor recreation, temperate weather, natural beauty, and fewer crowds. Lodi’s prime location makes it easy to get to everything you want, from wine to cycling to kayaking.
Start your trip by checking into Wine & Roses, a locally-owned resort hotel that’s centrally located to all of Lodi’s attractions. The lush grounds provide a jungle-like feel with overflowing hydrangeas, canopies of trees, leafy ferns, and fountains. The resort offers a Lodi Wine & Visitor Center where you can learn about and taste regional wines without ever leaving your resort. Steps outside of your room, grab a coffee and fresh pastries and sandwiches at Towne Corner Café & Market. The resort’s Towne House Restaurant offers fine dining and hand-crafted cocktails.
The sounds and sights surrounding Wine & Roses are unforgettable, from the parrots that say hello as you walk by to the splash of water outside your spa treatment room. The property offers special events throughout the year, including their Easter Brunch kickoff in style. A stroll around the gardens of Wine & Roses is a study in beauty and tranquility.
Lodi’s central location makes it easy to get to everything you want, from wine to cycling to kayaking. Just a short drive will take you to your choice of outdoor recreation. Dip your toes and your paddles into picturesque Lodi Lake, where you can kayak or paddleboard your way through beautiful lagoons. Headwaters Kayak offers classes and everything you need to see water bird life, tall grasses, turtles sunning on rocks, and beautiful resident homes pop up at various portions of the lake and its lagoons.
Take advantage of the relatively flat terrain and comfortable weather to rent bikes from local shops like Lodi Cyclery, then hit the roads! You can even bike through wine country, arriving at Oak Farm Vineyards, a truly 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, or to recharge your batteries before your next winery, visit the completely unexpected and incredibly impressive Micke Grove Japanese Garden. Dedicated by the Joaquin County residents of Japanese ancestry, this secret hideaway beckons you across its red arched bridge to meander along a babbling brook, where waterfalls splash into a koi fish pond.
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. Also, their Clairette Blanche and double gold medal 2021 Belle Blanc are divine.
Visiting Bokisch Vineyards is a true pleasure for wine lovers seeking something distinct. The vineyard is well known for its Albariño. Sit in a red Adirondack chair, and gaze out at the hearty vines spread before you.
Lodi’s unique combination of wine, outdoor recreation, and natural beauty make it one of California’s hidden gems. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience this unforgettable destination before everyone else discovers it.
