Tasty releases from Lodi family wineries
Many Lodi wineries will start releasing their newest vintages this spring.
But if you can’t wait that long, there are plenty of delicious recent releases from Lodi’s family farmers and winemakers to tide you over. Here are a several suggestions from wineries on the east side of Lodi:
2019 Acquiesce Winery Ingénue ($34)
This rare blend of white Rhone varieties grenache blanc, clairette blanche, bourboulenc and picpoul blanc from Susan and Rodney Tipton’s estate in Acampo in the Mokelumne River microAVA gives delicate aromas of white flowers, mandarin and sage that yields to an explosion of white flowers on the palate with creamy savory notes. Lemon and floral notes come across with medium body and mineral and citrus notes on the finish.
The grapes were handpicked early in the morning to retain acidity and immediately pressed to capture their fresh, flavorful character. The juice was cold fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks to ensure pure fruit expressions.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, join Susan and Rodney — Susan Manfull, editor of Provence WineZine and David Scott Allen, editor of Cocoa & Lavender — for their second virtual cooking, wine pairing and education class.
The event is $99 (club members save 20%) and includes the 2019 Grenache Blanc, 2018 Sparkling Grenache Blanc and 2019 Grenache Rosé. Shipping is free. For more information: visit
Acquiesce Wines are available to be shipped by ordering online or by phone, or can be picked up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at the winery at 22353 N. Trethaway Road, Acampo. Information: 209-333-6102 orwww.acquiescevineyards.com.
2018 Paskett Vineyards Malbec ($34)
From the Anaya Vineyard in Lodi’s Clements Hills micro-AVA, farmed by Gerardo Espinosa and his family, this French black variety that produces rich, bold wines. Dark fruits, such as blackberry and red plum, show on the nose. Juicy and full-bodied with notes of vanilla, chocolate and oak. The tannins and acid are medium.
Paskett Winery also has released the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon ($36) from Lorraine’s father Herb Paskett’s estate vineyard in Lodi. Herb is a longtime grower and Lorraine’s inspiration to start the winery, so this variety is the family's legacy and has a special place in the Paskett portfolio. This cab is wonderful, full-bodied, approachable, and has ample dark fruit and subtle oak on the nose and palate.
Paskett wines can be shipped or picked up from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at the winery at 11070 E. Woodbridge Road, Acampo. Information: 209-200-1959 or www.paskettwinery.com.
2018 Harney Lane Cabernet Sauvignon ($40)
Driven by dark cherry, currants and cracked spice, Harney Lane's new cab is classic Lodi with approachable tannins and voluminous fruit quality. Full-bodied with notes of sweet oak.
The 2018 vintage was a dream for winemakers highlighted by moderate temperatures through spring and summer, which brought about a slightly later harvest that was prolonged, with cooler temperatures during ripening. This allowed grapes to mature more slowly, yielding wines with more depth, flavor concentration and supple texture.
Harney Lanes wines can be ordered online or by phone for shipment or can be picked up from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the winery at 9010 E. Harney Ln., Lodi. Information: 209-365-1900 or www.harneylane.com.
2018 Heritage Oak Grenache/Graciano ($28)
Owner, grower and winemaker Tom Hoffman crafted this blend of 60% graciano and 40% Grenache, two Spanish/French varieties that complement each other. The graciano gives color, ripeness, black fruit, licorice and body. The Grenache gives red fruit and spice. This is a BBQ wine for sure. The 2016 Heritage Oak Graciano ($25), Hoffman’s first graciano, has 8% tempranillo, a classic Spanish combo. More recent releases include the 2018 Zinjo (50/50 blend of zinfandel and sangiovese, $19), 2018 Mourvedre/Syrah ($28) and 2017 Cab/Syrah ($28).
Heritage Oak wines are available for shipping or pick up daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the winery at 10112 Woodbridge Road, Acampo. Information: 209986-2763 or www.heritageoakwinery.com.
2018 Bokisch Garnacha Terra Alta Vineyard ($27)
Released last month, the fruit from the sustainably farmed Terra Alta Vineyard next to the winery lends red fruit aromas with hints of grenadine, strawberry fruit roll and cedar spice. It’s juicy and peppery and floral on the finish. Bokisch’s first syrah, the 2018 Tizona Syrah ($32), will be released on Jan. 28. The fruit came from the Sisu Vineyard, the first vineyard Liz and Markus Bokisch planted on Liz’s family's estate. Ripe plum, cedar, dried cranberry, fresh fennel and baking chocolate. Also new, the 2020 Tizona Picpoul Blanc ($25), released Jan. 15, has bright aromas of lemon hard candy, lime zest, rose petal, and pineapple.
Bokisch wines can be shipped or picked up from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at the winery at 18921 Atkins Road, Lodi. Information: 209-642-8880 or
www.bokischvineyards. com.
For more information about Lodi wineries, visit
www.lodiwine.com.