Recently I attended the 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference in Lodi, California. And at every conference there is a special event called “live wine tasting”! It’s a highly anticipated event! We get excited for it, we even do a pre-stretch… just to get ready! Why? Because up to 12 different wineries visit a table of 8-10 bloggers and have to pour their wine, tell us all about it and their winery. We in turn need to taste it, take notes, then do as much social media marketing LIVE as we can, before we pour the wine out and start again with the next winery. All in under 5 minutes!! Phew, it happens fast. And we are all on a mission to get great notes on each wine.
So, before I share the yummy wines I tasted and discovered, let me share a map of California so you can see exactly where Lodi is!
It’s just south of Sacramento and it has some of the oldest Zinfandel vines, but that’s not the only wine they make! For more info. on this wine region visit the website for Lodi Winegrape Commission.
map courtesy of Wine Folly
So here are my notes from the white wines I got to speed taste, the wineries were from all over (not just Lodi) – which is good, since we are there to learn about Lodi and beyond! In no particular order…
Corner 103 – Sonoma County, California
Tank fermented Sauvignon Blanc with a tropical fruit style with nice crispy acidity at the end. Just 400 cases made.
So nice – and, this was a sneak peek at this wine (you can’t find it on their website)!
Peirano Estate Vineyards – Lodi, California
Estate grown, hand harvested white wine blend of 65% Chardonnay, 25% Sauvignon Blanc, and 10% Viognier
Soft and juicy. They tried to create something different for a blend – and they did!
and we tried a second wine from them…
Hand picked, small batch Chardonnay. It was soft and buttery with a light toasted note.
Perfect pairing is a lemon pepper chicken. yummy!
Kenefick Ranch – Calistoga in Napa Valley, California
Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Viognier blend, Juicy, minerals, stone fruits, some zesty-ness and estate grown.
Just 300 cases made – so you’ve got to visit the winery!
Left Coast Cellars – Willamette Valley, Oregon
White wine from Pinot Noir (which means a red grape gently pressed and fermented with no skin contact)
Guess what? The family is mostly left-handed!
Estate grown – oh sooooo juicy, bright with some crispness. oooooh and they have a sparkling version 🙂 hello!
Harney Lane Winery – Lodi, California
5th generation family winery, since 1907 in Lodi
2015 Albariño – crisp, minerals, nice acidity with a honeyed melon note. Just 700 cases made.
Oh hallelujah to old world grapes being grown in the new world. Bravo!
Oak Ridge Winery – Lodi, California
OZV Rosé is lightly pressed with 3% chardonnay.
The chardonnay offer some acidity to go with the berries the Zinfandel offers. It was fresh, crispy dry and delicious!
Oldest family operated winery in Lodi and largest Zinfandel producer in world!
And no, I didn’t mistype anything. There are many fabulous DRY Rosé wines made from Zinfandel!
Lucas Vineyards – Lodi, California
In Lodi since 1978
We had the back vintage 2001 Chardonnay !
Chablis style and sooooo delightful with bright acidity.
This was a highlight for sure!
Bokisch Vineyards – Lodi, California
They focus on Spanish varietals. They were the first to plant Albariño in the area.
Terra Alta Vineyard Albariño 2015 is one of three they make!
Organic, salty and mineral notes with juicy lychee tree fruits. Heaven!
Definitely want to try more of their wines!
Troon Vineyard – Grants Pass, Southern Oregon
Longue Carabine is a co-fermented white wine from
Vermentino 38.5%, Viognier 33%, Marsanne 27%, and Roussanne 1.5%.
Juicy acidity with soft zesty fruits and made au natural! A nice southern Rhone Valley style and one you must try!
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So as you can see, many different wines from California and Oregon. So open the door of your comfort zone to discover wines outside the wine regions you usually try, because there are some amazing winemakers out there making incredible wine!
