Hosts Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, and talented Lodi winemaker, Jeremy Trettevik of Jeremy Wine Co., along with Cindy Della Monica, Owner & Cheesemonger at Cheese Central, will taste us through some unique and delicious wines from Lodi, CA. Located at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, Lodi is approximately 100 miles east of San Francisco and 35 miles south of Sacramento. A major winegrowing region since the 1850’s, Lodi is home to over 100,000 acres of premium vineyards farmed by more than 750 growers.

Lodi’s classic Mediterranean climate and ideal winegrowing soils yield distinct wines, crafted from more than 75 wine grape varieties. Lodi’s vast portfolio of wine grapes includes traditional varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Zinfandel as well as exotic, lesser-known varieties like Albariño, Cinsaut and Pinotage.

Fifteen years ago, there were less than 10 wineries in the Lodi region. Today, there are over 80 wineries, 60 of which have tasting rooms open to the public. In recent years, downtown Lodi has seen a resurgence of business and culture as several of Lodi’s next-generation winemakers have opened boutique tasting rooms along downtown’s famed School Street and outlying city blocks. Currently, there are 13 tasting rooms located downtown. These same tasting rooms continue to be the primary driving source of consumer traffic to downtown Lodi, allowing new restaurants and specialty art and retail shops like Cheese Central to thrive.

Today, we'll be tasting: 2012 Estate Crush Albariño (SRP $18) paired with Tetilla cheese from Central Lechera Gallega in Galicia, Spain; 2011 Fields Family Wines Estate Syrah (SRP $22) paired with Old Amsterdam from Westerland in North Country, Holland; 2011 Jeremy Wine Co. Costa Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel (SRP $28) paired with Midnight Moon from Cypress Grove Chevre in Acata, California; and 2010 Viñedos Aurora Petite Sirah paired with Bandage-Wrapped Cheddar from Fiscalini Farms in Modesto, California. For additional information on these wines and the Lodi wine region, please click on the provided links below.

Cheers!