Lodi is for wine and chocolate lovers
This weekend, delicious wine will flow and chocolate treats will be on hand to satisfy sweet teeth as Lodi celebrates its 21st annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend.
With more than 50 local wineries participating, guests will have the chance to sample dozens of different wines and treats. A lucky few will find “Golden Tickets” on their chocolate, winning one of more than 100 prizes including winery merchandise, gift certificates, special winery tours and more.
Wineries are going all out to provide a fun and unique experience for their guests. At Harmony Wynelands, visitors can munch on s’mores by the fire pit, and
Estate Crush in Downtown Lodi is using the weekend as a chance to experiment.
“We’re doing a chocolate and Zinfandel-based Port,” owner Bob Colarossi said.
Sample wines paired with grilled tri-tip marinated in a Port wine chocolate reduction sauce. It will be paired with the winery’s Stellina Old Vine Zinfandel.
Guests will also be able to taste Estate Crush’s 2016 Zin straight from the barrel.
Couples celebrating Valentine’s Day will have fun at Estate Crush with the holiday-themed photo booth.
“It’s kind of a kiss and tell booth,” Colarossi said.
There will also be a wine purchase special.
“We have a special where you can give your sweetheart a dozen Rosés” for $72, he said.
Foodies will enjoy stopping by Harney Lane Winery, too, to sample chocolate chili and wine-infused ice cream, or Macchia, where habañero Zinfandel Port reduction meatballs will be on the menu.
Those who want a full meal can head out to the Tuscan Wine Village in Lockeford, where the Grateful Gypsy Bistro will be serving up delicious entrees.
“I love their steak sandwiches, and they also have really good burgers,” said Eric Donaldson of LVVR Sparkling Cellars, which is one of half a dozen wineries that share the location.
LVVR Sparkling Cellars specializes in sparkling wines made the traditional way — methode champenoise, where the last stage of fermentation takes place in the bottle — rather than with pressurized tanks.
“It adds a lot more complexity to (the flavor),” Donaldson said.
His sparkling wines feature smaller bubbles and a creamier texture than those made in tanks, he said.
Donaldson will showcase his four wines — with his LVVR Rosé in the spotlight — in the courtyard of the Tuscan Wine Village, weather permitting.
“I’ll have plenty of room,” he said.
That’s good news, as crowds came and went last year, with an initial rush of a few dozens wine-lovers, he said.
Fellow Tuscan Wine Village tenant Lone Grape Winery will have live music on hand for the event.
A few locations went with a theme for their weekend events.
Durst Winery decided to offer a hearty “Ahoy!” to visitors with a pirate theme. Winery staff will be in their finest “pirate” and “wench” costumes, and Pizza Pirates will be selling pizza on-site. Along with a pirate-themed photo booth, “Giant Jenga” and cornhole games will keep visitors entertained.
Peltier Winery has gone with an Italian romance theme, in honor of the winery’s Italian varietals. Bring a padlock or purchase one at the winery to add to the Tesoro Mio Trellis to celebrate your sweetheart.
In Downtown Lodi, wine aficionados will be able to take a selfie with the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona in the background and sample bacon-wrapped dark chocolate and cheese-stuffed dates, or sample red chocolate or mocha dessert wines at Scotto’s Wine and Cider.
Wine lovers will also have the chance to visit McCay Cellars’ brand-new tasting room on Sacramento Street.
LangeTwins Winery is excited for the event, where they’ll be showcasing the cowgirl artwork of Valerie Coe.
“Of course, we are featuring our famous brie, chocolate and basil paninis,” said Charlene Lange, who coowns the winery with her family. The paninis will use dark chocolate and ciabatta bread, and be served alongside the winery’s 2017 Sangiovese Rosé.
The winery is also hosting its annual Galentine’s Day Brunch, but that part of the event has already sold out, she said.
Lange is hoping that the warm, clear weather Lodi has been experiencing this week will last at least through the weekend.
“There were a couple years where we had tons of rain, so this is going to be a nice, pleasant surprise,” she said.
Those planning to join in the fun at Wine & Chocolate Weekend are asked to visit the event’s website and read the “Guidelines for Responsible Wine Tasting.”
And if you’re in a large group, be sure to check the “Participating Wineries” page for a guide to where you’ll need an appointment and which wineries won’t have space.