Lodi, California: Wine, Nature, and Outdoor Adventures
If you’re a true wine lover, you know that California is home to some of the best wine regions in the country. One such region that often flies under the radar is Lodi, California. Approximately 20% of California’s wine grapes come from Lodi, according to the Lodi Winegrape Commission. But Lodi isn’t just a great place for wine. It’s also a prime destination for outdoor recreation, temperate weather, fewer crowds, and natural beauty.
Start your Lodi trip by checking into Wine & Roses, a locally-owned resort hotel with rooms nestled into jungle-like surroundings. You’ll fling open your double doors to the sounds of a waterfall and birdcalls, and settle into your surroundings. Everything you need is at your fingertips. On the grounds, which are stunningly beautiful, with overflowing hydrangeas in every hue, canopies of trees, leafy ferns, and fountains, you will find the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center. Here, you can learn about and taste regional wines without ever leaving your resort.
When you’re ready to explore, Lodi offers plenty of outdoor activities. Wine & Rose’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, from picturesque Lodi Lake, where you can kayak or paddleboard your way through beautiful lagoons, to cycling through Lodi’s quaint town and out into the vineyards.
Rent bikes from local shops like Lodi Cyclery and take a spin on routes that can challenge or are a pure breeze. Choose your route, set your course, and get some exercise while soaking up this beautiful part of California. 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.
If you’re looking for some peace and tranquility, or just need to recharge your batteries, visit the completely unexpected and incredibly impressive Micke Grove Japanese Garden. Dedicated by 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. Follow the stepping stones around the stone lanterns that rise up out of the landscape, and stop to appreciate the maple trees bursting through the sea of lush, green landscape.
For a taste of Lodi’s wine offerings, 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 Albariño lover out of me.
Wine tasting isn’t the only activity in Lodi. On April 15, don’t miss the 8th annual Paddlefest where you can bring the whole family to enjoy food trucks, live music, and all the watersports you can handle. Headwaters Kayak will hook you up with classes and everything you need to see the water bird life, tall grasses, turtles sunning on rocks, and beautiful resident homes that pop up at various portions of the lake and its lagoons.
When it’s time to eat, you don’t have to go very far. Steps outside of your Wine & Roses room, grab 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, with their Easter Brunch kicking off spring in style.
Lodi is truly a hidden gem, a place where natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and delicious wine combine. Make Lodi your next destination and experience it all for yourself.
