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Mark Your Calendars for a Day of Wine, Food & Fun: Lodi’s 9th Annual ZinFest Wine Festival, May 18th, 2013

17 April, 2013



Lodi, CA – Join the Lodi Appellation’s growers and vintners at the 9th Annual ZinFest Wine Festival for an afternoon filled with incredible wine, food and entertainment. Festivities are scheduled for Friday through Sunday, May 17-19, with the main festival taking place on Saturday, May 18, from noon to 5pm at Lodi Lake Park. Additional weekend activities include the popular Vintner’s Grille on Friday, May 17, and Sunday’s Winery Tours and Open Houses on May 19.

The ZinFest Wine Festival will feature 200 handcrafted wines from over 40 Lodi wineries. Along with exceptional Lodi wines, guests will enjoy a selection of gourmet food from local restaurants, live music and educational tips from the ZinFest Wine and Cooking Schools, where guest speakers such as Master Sommelier, Catherine Fallis and chefs Ruben Larrazolo of the locally-acclaimed Alebrijes Mexican Bistro and Mark Berkner of Taste Restaurant will be presenting. Unique to this event, a custom blended commemorative bottling of Old Vine Zinfandel will be available for purchase.

“Although Lodi’s climate and terroir allows for close to 100 different varietals to thrive, it’s important to pay homage to the grape that has helped define the region. ZinFest is a great way to learn more about Lodi’s history with Zinfandel and taste the many unique wines that are produced from the area, as well as connect with the passionate winemakers and growers,” states Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.ZinFest.com or by calling the Lodi Wine and Visitor Center at 209.365.0621. Advance tickets cost $45 per person and $55 at the event. Designated driver tickets are also available for $10 per person. Tickets include a ZinFest wine glass, wine tasting, participation in all seminars and entertainment. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

About Lodi Wine Country
Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, the Lodi wine region features 100,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.

With more than 75 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long known as a superior producer of Zinfandel, including an estimated 2,000 acres of pre-Prohibition own rooted vines, the area also produces award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay. More recently, Lodi has begun producing varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others.

Lodi has been a major winegrape growing region since the 1850’s, and today is farmed by over 750 growers. The region also serves as home to more than 80 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.  In addition, Lodi is one of the leading wine regions in sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program. For more information about the Lodi wine region, visit www.lodiwine.com.

For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. For additional event information, please contact Jenny Heitman of the Lodi Winegrape Commission at 209|367-0737 or jenny@lodiwine.com.

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