LODI TRAVEL ITINERARY

Pleasant Days Spent Amidst the Delta Breeze

Did you ever visit a Wine Country destination and wish you were there back in the good old days - when the crowds were smaller, the wines wonderful, the hospitality genuine, and great values abounded?  This is Lodi today! 

Conveniently located towards the top of California’s Central Valley, only 35 minutes south of Sacramento and 90 minutes east of San Francisco, Lodi offers many treats and surprises.  You will enjoy quality wines and matchless hospitality.  Lodi may be the next big thing, so the time to visit is now.

Lodi is California’s largest wine appellation, producing more varietal wine grapes than Napa and Sonoma combined.  In recent times, the long history of grape growing in Lodi has shifted its focus.  The once ubiquitous Tokay table grape is gone; seedless table grapes stole its market.  Old-time growers tell stories about how their parents competed for production volume, with vineyards producing an incredible 10, even 12 tons of fruit per acre, thinking this was the epitome of fine grape growing.

To Continue Reading the Lodi Itinerary Story, Click Here
Day One Itinerary — Afternoon and Weekday
Day Two Itinerary — Greater Lodi

EDITOR'S PICK—

Pinotage is a cross between the Burgundian varietal Pinot Noir and the Rhone Cinsault, and is very popular in South Africa.  The Vino con Brio 2001 Pinotage ($19.99) displays the elegance of the first and the richness of the latter.  The bottle opens with a slightly spicy flavor, which softens to somewhat sweeter fruit after exposure to a bit of air.  Its balanced use of French and American oak, old and new, highlights its light fruity nose.  Flavors of blueberry, cranberry and raspberry are matched with a slightly smoky flavor and sturdy mouthfeel.  Light in alcohol at 13%, it is an outstanding food wine; we enjoyed it with grilled garlic lamb and eggplant. 

CULINARY TOURISM

Bring Food Know-How Home to
Pair with Wine

When you visit Wine Country, focus on collecting a terrific set of wines— you plan to enjoy and ponder at home.  You probably will have discovered and explored wines that clearly are meant to compliment food, and aren’t necessarily great sips on their own.  What will you do with these wines once you return home? Will you be prepared with perfect food and wine-pairings, like those you enjoyed while dining during your visit?  

You’ll surely want to be ready to serve compatible foods, as you share the fruits of your vacation’s labor with friends and family.  It so happens that the culinary wizards of Wine Country have devised a diverse set of programs to help you achieve these wonderful matches in your own kitchen.  With their help, you can accomplish touristic enjoyment and expand your culinary skills, all at the same time!

In the end, you will walk away not only with unique recipes and wine-pairings, but more importantly with insight and the fine points of preparation that only experience can deliver.  We searched for the best casual culinary programs in Napa and Sonoma Wine Country to share with you.  Whether you choose a simple demonstration, a more involved hands-on training, or an innovative demonstration-dining event, you will enjoy as you learn.

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EDITOR'S PICK—

The magnetic appeal of St. Supéry Vineyards and Winery has long attracted Napa visitors who enjoy wines of distinction.  Drawing fruit from two celebrated Napa vineyards, their diverse offering of wines is sure to please.  Presented with passion and aplomb, the rich Meritage Élu is a special attraction, while Sauvignon Blanc and the popular sweet Moscato, with its sweet nose and fresh apricot flavor, are also great tastes here.   We loved the display of antique California wine bottles, and the Smellivision allowed us to hone our nose skills.  Once you visit here, you will want to return since their novel approach to tasting fees allows free wine tasting for the rest of your life upon any return!

WINE COUNTRY RECIPE

New Waldorf Salad

Wine & Roses is the perfect spring escape for any Lodi wine country traveler!  Relax, rejuvenate, and refresh in their plush accommodations. Then, enjoy classic American cuisine in their restaurant Rosewood Bar & Grill where they feature the NEW WALDORF SALAD.  If you can’t escape just yet, try creating this delectable delight at home for friends and family.

We served this cool, refreshing salad with a bottle of rosé we enjoyed at the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center, the il Gufo Barbara Rosato. It's deep strawberry color and red delicious flavor, unusually fruity for a dry rosé, is a perfect visual and taste match. This wine is also a great example of Lodi grape-growing and Napa winemaking working together in perfect concert.

Go to recipe

EDITOR'S PICK—

Make a great first impression at your next party! Put your prettiest appetizers on this tray and surround with a perfect wine pairing and your party is sure to start out beautifully. This new party-size, eight-glass holder from the folks at NapaStyle provides plenty of room for both nibbles and wine glasses, and allows the host to load and disperse with ease. Tray measures 18 x 15 inches. Food-safe, sustainable acacia wood. Hand wash. Available if you click here .....

WINECOUNTRY.COM DRAWING

Newsletter Trivia Contest—Enter and Win!*
Soothe all the cares and stresses of the day away with a Sonoma Day Spa Package!

Enter to win 2 gift certificates ($150 value) for Osmosis - The Enzyme Bath Spa.  Osmosis is a Japanese style retreat nestled among beautiful bonsai and bamboo gardens.  An aura of peace will envelop every detail of your stay.  You won't want to miss any of Sonoma's delicious culinary delights during your stay, so we are also including 2 gift certificates to Healdsburg Charcuterie ($50 value).

You can enter to win by answering the following question from this Newsletter: What are the two grape varietals which were crossed to create Pinotage?"

Click here to enter this drawing!**  The Winner of this Drawing will be announced on The Winner's Page after May 30, 2005.

So what are you waiting for…Sonoma wine country awaits your arrival!

*some restrictions apply
** No purchase necessary. Must be at least 21 years old to enter. Only one entry per person permitted. Winner will be selected May 30, 2005 by random drawing from the correct entries. Winner will be notified by email.  Employees of Freerun Technologies are ineligible. Void where prohibited by law.

EDITOR'S PICK—

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean from the quaint, historic town of Mendocino, the MacCallum House is set on two beautifully landscaped acres of vibrant gardens. The landmark Victorian estate is enhanced with an award winning restaurant and bar where the breakfast crab cakes are quite tasty.  The celebrated dining room recently received a face-lift; the result is an authentic and heightened romantic setting for a fine dining experience.  An easy stroll from the property brings you to art galleries, live theater, shops, restaurants and panoramic views from rugged ocean cliffs.  Special touches and tender loving care abound to enhance your rest and relaxation.

Travel Itinerary • Culinary Tourism • Wine Country Recipe
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