Lodi’s Oak Farm Vineyards to host Zinfandel seminar

The Lodi Winegrape Commission is partnering with Zinfandel Advocate & Producers to offer a Zinfandel technical workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

The event coincides with National Zinfandel Day and will feature leading growers and vintners from the Lodi appellation diving into all things Zinfandel at Oak Farm Vineyards.

Attendees will taste through 16 unique Zinfandels while hearing the farming and winemaking stories behind the wines.

In the first panel, four growers will share how they are carving out an identity for their Lodi-appellated Zinfandel vineyards, including how they craft a sense of place for single vineyard Zinfandels and insights on how they “brand” their vineyards with winery partners.

During the second panel, four winemakers will share their most recent experiences sourcing Lodi Zinfandel grapes from multiple vineyards and discuss how they work with their partner growers to produce exceptional wines.

Tickets can be purchased at www.lodiwine.com/WineStore/Events. The $25 ticket covers the seminars and tritip lunch paired with Lodi Zinfandel.

Schedule of events:

9 a.m.

Introduction

Topic: The State of Zinfandel

Speaker: Rebecca Robinson, Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP)

9:15 a.m.

Panel 1: Growers’ perspectives

Moderator: Stuart Spencer, Lodi Winegrape Commission

Speakers:

• Bruce Fry, Mohr-Fry Ranches (St. Amant Marian’s & St. Amant Mohr-Fry)

• Jeff Perlegos, Stampede Vineyard (Lodi Native & Maitre-de-Chai Stampede)

• Keith Watts, Keith Watts Vineyards (McCay TruLux & Baron Herzog)

• Markus Bokisch, Bokisch Ranches (Neyers & Tizona Suess)

10:45 am

Panel 2: Winemakers’ perspectives

Speakers:

• Mike McCay, McCay Cellars (Lot 13 & Bonnotto)

• Tegan Passalacqua, Turley Wine Cellars (Kirschenmann & Dogtown)

• Derek DeVries, Michael David Winery (Earthquake & Freakshow)

• Chad Joseph, Oak Farm Vineyards and Harney Lane Winery (Oak Farm Hohenreider & Harney Lane Scottsdale)

Noon

Tri-tip lunch.