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2016 Wine Bloggers Conference in Lodi: New Programming Announced

22 June, 2016

                                 New Programming Announced for 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference in Lodi, California Hundreds of Wine Bloggers and Writers to Attend Conference in Wine Enthusiast’s Region of the Year August 11-14, 2016    Lodi, CA, June 22nd, 2016 – New programming was recently announced ahead of the ninth annual Wine Bloggers Conference, which will take place from August 11-14th, 2016, in Lodi, California. Hundreds of online, print, citizen and industry wine writers will gather with other wine and social media professionals from around the world to meet, learn, and share. This is the first time the conference has come to Lodi.   The annual Wine Bloggers Conference (WBC) is the pre-eminent gathering of citizen wine bloggers, industry bloggers and wine writing professionals who come together for educational sessions, networking and social gathering.  It is the platform from which many learn about regions, wine brands, new offerings and evolving trends.  Wine blogging continues to drive consumer interest with wine in interactive and innovative ways, and the region of Lodi, with over 750 growers and 85 wineries, has similarly been progressive in its outreach and education to the trade, media and consumer audiences.   Attendees will gather at downtown Lodi’s charming Hutchins Street Square to spend four days immersed in educational wine seminars, networking, grower and winery visits, wine tastings, and – of course – blogging. WBC is an excellent opportunity for wineries to showcase their wines to a discerning and influential audience. Programming and dinners will take place at various wineries and local businesses throughout the region. Given Lodi’s grounding in the grower culture, this conference will allow wine bloggers, writers, winery representatives, regional association representatives and others to interact directly with growers, many of whom have been in the region for 5 to 6 generations, thus providing literal hands-on experience for the attendees.    Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson will deliver the keynote address, and programming will include live wine blogging opportunities, as well as sessions on “History of Grape Growing and Wine Making in Lodi,” “Advanced Social Media for the Wine Industry,” “Wine Samples,” “United States Wine Regions & Climate Change,” “Monetization” and various breakout “Wine Discovery” sessions throughout the conference.  Friday’s programming includes evening excursions into Lodi Wine County, where chauffeurs will transport attendees to one of many exclusive Lodi winegrower-hosted events, all of which will include winery and vineyard visits, tastings and dinner. The well-attended “Panel of Wine Blog Awards Winners” will take place on Saturday, August 13, and include winners of the 2016 Wine Blog Awards. Winners will be acknowledged later that evening at a dinner with Lodi Wine, catered by South – recently named one of California’s farm-to-fork capital city’s top new restaurants, specializing in traditional southern cuisine like fried chicken, smoked brisket, and blackened catfish.  Click here for the full schedule of programming.   Lodi is well positioned to host WBC 2016 as its dynamic wine country and historic downtown continues to attract more attention to the region. In January, Lodi was honored at the Wine Enthusiast’s annual Wine Star Awards ceremony as the publication’s 2015 Wine Region of the Year. Lodi also recently won California Governor Jerry Brown’s annual Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) – the highest environmental award in the state of California – for the region’s mission to address major environmental, economic and social challenges facing California agricultural industry.   The Lodi Winegrape Commission’s Program Manager, Stuart Spencer said: “The historic Lodi wine growing region is excited to welcome the wine blogging and writing community as well as our colleagues in the industry and others into our vineyards, wineries and our home. Lodi is an important part of the American wine industry and we are pleased to be working with Zephyr Adventures to put together the 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference that will be educational, immersive, relevant and enlightening to the blogging community, but also provides attendees with an in depth Lodi vineyard experience like no conference has provided before!”   For more details on the conference or to register, visit www.winebloggersconference.org.   Follow LoCA – The Wines of Lodi, California (@Lodi_Wine) and 2016 Wine Blogger’s Conference (@WineBloggersCon) on Twitter and use hashtags #WBC16 and #LodiWine to keep up with the conversation, programming and news. The Wine Blogger Conference is organized by Zephyr Adventures.   About Lodi Wine Country Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, the Lodi wine region features 110,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.     A major winegrape growing region since the 1850’s, today Lodi boasts over 750 growers. The region also serves as home to more than 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions. Most notably, Lodi was recently named “2015 Wine Region of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast, one of the world’s most well regarded publications dedicated to wine, spirits, food and travel. As stated by Wine Enthusiast, the award recognizes not only the region’s excellence in wine quality, but also the innovation and excitement demonstrated by its growers and vintners.     Lodi is also one of the leading wine regions when it comes to sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program, which recently won Governor Jerry Brown’s annual Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) – the highest environmental award in the state of California – for its mission to address major environmental, economic and social challenges facing California agricultural industry.  With more than 100 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long renowned for its high-quality Zinfandel production, 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 gaining consumer traction for its other exciting varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others.    For more information about the Lodi wine region, visit www.lodiwine.com.   About the Wine Bloggers Conference   The Wine Bloggers Conference is the premier gathering of online wine writers. Entering its ninth season, the conference provides a forum for bloggers and writers to network; includes educational content on blogging, technology, and social media; and provides immersive experiences in the local host wine industry.   The Wine Bloggers Conference is organized by Zephyr Adventures, which has run active tours around the world for the last 18 years. In addition to Zephyr’s active tours, its sister company Taste Vacations runs wine, beer, food, and spirits tours that leave the physical activity at home. Zephyr also organizes the Beer Bloggers & Writers ConferenceInternational Food Blogger ConferenceFitBloggin’ Conference, and Wine Tourism Conference.    For more information please contact info@winebloggersconference.org
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Wine, Food & Fun at Lodi Lake CA

11 April, 2016

Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Region of the Year Celebrates 12th Annual ZinFest Wine Festival May 13th - 15th 2016    Lodi, CA – Join your favorite Lodi vintners as they celebrate the 12th Annual ZinFest Wine Festival with a weekend full of fabulous local wine, food and entertainment. Events will run May 13th through May 15th, with the main festival taking place on Saturday, May 14th, at Lodi Lake Park from 12 noon to 5:00pm. Additional weekend activities include the ever-popular (and sold-out!) Vintner's Grille on Friday, May 13th, as well as Sunday's Winery Tours & Open Houses on May 15th. More than 4,000 wine lovers are expected to attend this year's festival.  The ZinFest Wine Festival will feature more than 150 handcrafted wines from over 40 Lodi wineries. Beyond the glass, guests will enjoy a selection of gourmet food from local restaurants, live music, and browsing one-of-a-kind merchandise from artisan purveyors such as local olive oils and reclaimed wine barrel furniture. In addition, ZinFest attendees are invited to expand their knowledge of Lodi wines and food pairings during any of the scheduled sessions at the al fresco ZinFest Cooking or Wine Schools or the all new “Up in Smoke” ZinFest BBQ Experience, headlined by Lance Smith, Executive Chef at The Millworks in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Prior to taking the helm of The Millworks, Smith served as Chef de Cuisine at the critically acclaimed SMOKE Restaurant in Dallas, Texas, where he assisted James Beard Award-winning Chef Tim Byres. Three 45-minute demonstrations are scheduled for the day and will feature summer grilling favorites like Zinfandel glazed pork ribs with German potato salad.   This year’s ZinFest Wine School begins at 1:00PM and features the following lineup:        1:00-1:40 PM | Wine Shopping – Insider Tips From A Master Sommelier      Presented by Catherine Fallis MS, a.k.a. grape goddess®, Planet Grape LLC and Tasting Panel Lead, Planet Grape Wine Review      2:00-2:40 PM | A Tour of Europe Via Lodi      Presented by Fred Swan, Certified Sommelier, San Francisco Wine School and norcalwine.com      3:00-3:40 PM | Single Vineyard Lodi Zinfandels – What’s The Fuss?      Presented by Randy Caparoso, author of lodiwine.com blog, “The LoCA Life & Times” and The SOMM Journal     “There is not a more exciting reason to visit Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Wine Region of the Year than for the 12th Annual ZinFest Wine Festival on May 14th,” says Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “ZinFest not only celebrates Lodi’s heritage with Zinfandel, but also showcases the region’s diversity of winegrapes through its variety of unique and exceptional wines.” ZinFest tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.ZinFest.com or by calling the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at 209.365.0621. Advance tickets cost $55 per person and $65 the day of the event. Designated driver tickets are also available for $15 per person. Tickets include a ZinFest wine glass, wine tasting, and participation in all seminars and entertainment. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older, including designated drivers.   About Lodi Wine Country Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, the Lodi wine region features 110,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.   A major winegrape growing region since the 1850’s, today Lodi boasts over 750 growers. The region also serves as home to more than 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions. Most notably, Lodi was recently named “2015 Wine Region of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast, one of the world’s most well regarded publications dedicated to wine, spirits, food and travel. As stated by Wine Enthusiast, the award recognizes not only the region’s excellence in wine quality, but also the innovation and excitement demonstrated by its growers and vintners.   Lodi is also one of the leading wine regions when it comes to sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program, which recently won Governor Jerry Brown’s annual Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) – the highest environmental award in the state of California – for its mission to address major environmental, economic and social challenges facing California agricultural industry. With more than 100 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long renowned for its high-quality Zinfandel production, 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 gaining consumer traction for its other exciting varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others. 2015 has seen a tremendous swell of support and recognition for the Lodi wine region. In addition to receiving the coveted title of 2015 Wine Region of the Year from Wine Enthusiast Magazine and the prestigious GEELA award, Lodi was selected to be the host for this summer’s Wine Bloggers Conference, the eminent gathering of hundreds of wine bloggers and wine writing professionals who come together for educational sessions, networking and social gathering.   For more information about the Lodi wine region, visit www.lodiwine.com.
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The Ultimate Valentine's Weekend Escape

15 January, 2016

Lodi’s 19th Annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend, February 13th & 14th 2016 featuring BRIX Chocolate Lodi, CA – Few culinary delights inspire romance quite like wine and chocolate and no wine region marries the two together better than Wine Enthusiast’s recently-crowned ‘Wine Region of the Year’ – Lodi. Northern California’s favorite Valentine’s Day celebration marks its 19th year when Lodi’s annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend returns next month. Winery tastings and events are scheduled for Saturday, February 13th and Sunday, February 14th, from 11am to 4pm each day. The ultimate romantic California getaway, treat someone special to Lodi Wine Country and fall in love with the diversity of handcrafted wines from the Lodi region alongside decadent chocolate treats by BRIX Chocolate.   BRIX Chocolate (www.brixchocolate.com) returns as the high-end confectioner and official chocolate sponsor of this year’s celebration, generously donating the commemorative chocolate treats that all event attendees will receive. BRIX is the first line of chocolates specifically blended to compliment wine, based on its varietal and style. At the root of BRIX is single-origin Ghanaian chocolate (known for its red fruit tones) mixed with the highest quality confectionery chocolate. The result is a blend so pure in flavor that it actually enhances those nuances found in great wines, without confusing the palate.   In addition to exceptional wines and select chocolate, event attendees to Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend will have the exclusive opportunity to visit nearly 60 participating wineries over the course of two days and engage in various activities such as wine and chocolate tastings, barrel sampling, live music and winery tours. Over 100 prizes will be awarded to lucky wine and chocolate lovers, including one Lodi Wine Country Getaway, earned by the attendee who finds the “Golden Ticket” hidden within the wrapper of their chocolate treat included with entry.   “There’s no better time to experience Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Region of the Year than during Lodi’s Wine & Chocolate Weekend,” said Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “Not only can attendees revel in the pairing of award-winning Lodi wines and decadent chocolate treats, but can discover the passion, heritage and diversity which make Lodi a world-class wine region.”   Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.lodiwineandchocolate.com or by calling the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at 209|365.0621.  Advance tickets cost $55 per person and $65 per person on the day(s) of the event.  Tickets include a wine glass, a chocolate treat from BRIX Chocolate, wine tasting and admission to all participating wineries. Tickets are valid for both Saturday and Sunday and there is no charge for designated drivers. ALL attendees must be 21 and over to attend.   About Lodi Wine Country Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, the Lodi wine region features 110,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.  A major winegrape growing region since the 1850s, today Lodi boasts over 750 growers. The region also serves as home to more than 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions. Most notably, Lodi was recently named “2015 Wine Region of the Year” by Wine Enthusiast, one of the world’s most well regarded publications dedicated to wine, spirits, food and travel. As stated by Wine Enthusiast, the award recognizes not only the region’s “excellence in wine quality, but also the innovation and excitement demonstrated by its growers and vintners.”   Lodi is also one of the leading wine regions when it comes to sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules™, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program, which recently won Governor Jerry Brown’s annual Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) - the highest environmental award in the state of California -  for its mission to address major environmental, economic and social challenges facing California agricultural industry.   With more than 100 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long renowned for its high-quality Zinfandel production, 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 been gaining consumer traction for its other exciting varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Kerner, Gewürztraminer, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others.   2015 has seen a tremendous swell of support and recognition for the Lodi wine region. In addition to receiving the coveted title of 2015 Wine Region of the Year from Wine Enthusiast Magazine and the prestigious GEELA award, Lodi was also selected in August 2015 to be the host for the 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference, the pre-eminent gathering of hundreds of wine bloggers and wine writing professionals who come together for educational sessions, networking and social gathering.   For more information about the Lodi wine region, please visit www.lodiwine.com.   For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com
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Lodi Winegrape Commission Referendum Passes with 90.2% Approval

14 December, 2015

Lodi growers vote overwhelmingly to continue funding of the region’s marketing, education and research commission The California Department of Food & Agriculture announced last week that the Lodi Winegrape Commission referendum passed with 90.2% of the region’s growers voting in favor of continuation.   Local growers first voted to fund the Lodi Winegrape Commission in 1991 and every 5 years growers have the opportunity to vote on continuation of the Commission’s efforts. The Commission in turn collects an annual assessment on the gross value of the winegrape crop to fund its activities. The mission of the Commission is to serve the common interests of all California Grape Crush District 11 winegrape producers and to enhance the profitability and visibility of winegrape production through marketing and promotion of Lodi winegrapes, viticultural research, sustainable viticulture, and grower and public education.   The Commission represents almost 800 winegrowers farming nearly 110,000 acres of winegrapes and has successfully moved the Lodi region forward as a high-quality, environmentally sound production area.   The Commission’s objectives are to: Raise awareness of the Lodi winegrape production region among "influentials" -- the wine trade, the press and consumers. Enhance recognition of the Lodi region through expanded use of the Lodi appellation on wine labels, by facilitating development of wineries in the district and by supporting wine-oriented tourism. Provide growers with information, materials, education and strategies directed at profit improvement. Facilitate two/way communication among growers and vintners concerning characteristics of quality that enhance value of grapes and wine. Create opportunities for Lodi- growers to supply vintners serving higher retail price segments, improving the relative value of their grapes in the California market. Conduct a proactive viticultural research program to maintain Lodi technological and viticultural leadership in the winegrape industry. Identify and encourage implementation of environmentally benign and economically viable pest, weed, disease and cultural strategies through the district-wide Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.   This latest endorsement comes during an exciting year for Lodi. In 2015 alone, Lodi was selected to host the 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference and, most recently, was awarded Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s prestigious Wine Star Award for Wine Region of the Year.   The Lodi Wine & Visitor’s Center and Commission website received a significant facelift in 2015 (showcasing the release of a well-received promotional video encapsulating some of highlights of the region). Additionally, the Commission also provides growers a resourceful and informative industry focused website, www.lodigrowers.com.   Other highlights of the last five years have included the launch of the highly successful LoCA consumer marketing campaign, the Lodi Rules™ for Sustainable Winegrowing program winning the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award in 2014 and increased leadership in the industry through participation and support of industry organizations such as the National Grape & Wine Initiative, American Vineyard Foundation, Unified Wine & Grape Symposium and others. “Through the vision, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit shown by the growers of the Lodi winegrowing region, the Commission is well positioned to be an industry leader in terms of meeting its mission of promoting and supporting Lodi grapes for many years to come,” said Camron King, Executive Director.   About Lodi Wine Country Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the Lodi wine region features 110,000 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 85 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, which implements green-farming practices.   For more information about the Lodi wine region, please visit www.lodiwine.com.   For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. For additional information regarding the Lodi Winegrape Commission, please contact Executive Director, Camron King, at 209|327-4727 or camron@lodiwine.com.
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Lodi Named Wine Enthusiast’s 2015 “Wine Region of the Year”

3 November, 2015

At Wine Enthusiast’s annual Wine Star Awards in New York City January 2016 Lodi to be named the 2015 “Wine Region of the Year”   The Lodi Winegrape Commission is excited to announce that Lodi has been named “Wine Region of the Year” by the Wine Enthusiast, one of the world's most well regarded publications dedicated to wine, spirits, food and travel. The announcement was made this morning, with the actual award to be presented at the Wine Star Awards on January 25th - the publication’s annual black-tie gala dinner at the New York Public Library in New York City.  Each year since 2000, the editors of Wine Enthusiast have honored individuals, companies, regions and organizations whose vision has impacted the wine and spirits industries with their coveted Wine Star Awards. Wine Enthusiast’s stated purpose for the “Wine Region of the Year” award “is to recognize not only excellence in wine quality, but also innovation and excitement coupled with the courage to take risks and the skill to succeed.” With the “Wine Region of the Year” award, Lodi is recognized in good international company in the category with previous recipients including New York State, Paso Robles, Ribera del Duero, Colchagua Valley, Mendoza, Alexander Valley, Rioja, and the Rhône Valley.   “Being named Wine Region of the Year is exciting for Lodi as it recognizes the historic and ongoing commitment by our winegrowers, winemakers and Lodi wine region fans to grow, make, promote and enjoy amazing world-class wines from our region.” said Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “Lodi has been supplying winegrapes to wineries for generations and is emerging in its own right as a world-class wine producing region focused on heritage, innovation and our commitment to place and people through our leadership in sustainability. The future for the Lodi wine region is brighter than ever and all of our growers, winemakers and community are thrilled to be honored with this award and recognition.”   The other nominees for the 2015 “Wine Region of the Year” were Marlborough, New Zealand; Russian River Valley, California; Sicily, Italy; and Walla Walla, Washington.    About Lodi, California  Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, the Lodi wine region features 110,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.     A major winegrape growing region since the 1850s, today Lodi boasts over 750 growers. The region owes much of its recent success to the increase in critical and consumer attention paid to Lodi-designate wines. Known for its high quality winegrapes, Lodi was always a winegrowing region first – known best for specializing in viticulture and sustainability practices and selling its highly-coveted winegrapes to wineries and wine companies in Napa, Sonoma, and California’s Central Valley. However, the past 10-15 years has seen astronomical growth in demand for Lodi wines, as well as in tourism to the wine region, incentivizing winegrowers to hold on to larger percentages of their crop for craft production under their own labels. The result has been a dramatic shift in quality perception, with explosive growth enhanced by a friendly business culture that emphasizes collaboration, community and innovation.   Today, Lodi is home to over 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at both domestic and international wine competitions.  In addition, Lodi is one of the leading wine regions when it comes to sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules™, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program, which recently won Governor Jerry Brown’s annual Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) - the highest environmental award in the state of California -  for its mission to address major environmental, economic and social challenges facing California agricultural industry.    With more than 100 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long renowned for its high-quality Zinfandel production, 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 been gaining consumer traction for its other exciting varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Kerner, Gewürztraminer, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others.   2015 has seen a tremendous swell of support and recognition for the Lodi wine region. In addition to the prestigious GEELA award, Lodi was also selected in August 2015 to be the host for the 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference, the pre-eminent gathering of hundreds of wine bloggers and wine writing professionals who come together for educational sessions, networking and social gathering.  For more information about the Lodi wine region, visit www.lodiwine.com. For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.    
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Lodi Celebrates 2015 Harvest with Sip Savor Lodi

26 August, 2015

***MEDIA ALERT***   Lodi Celebrates 2015 Harvest with Sip Savor Lodi The 2nd annual three day festival to include an al fresco harvest dinner in downtown Lodi, cellar tours and special events at 35+ Lodi wineries   WHO:  Presented by LoCA - The Wines of Lodi, CA and Lodi Appellation’s vintners.   WHAT: The 2nd annual three day festival will include an al fresco harvest dinner in downtown Lodi and a weekend full of special activities and cellar tours at over 35 Lodi wineries. Festivities kick off the evening of Friday, September 25th with a picturesque, al fresco Harvest Dinner on Pine Street in downtown Lodi, featuring farm-to-table highlights paired with Lodi’s most unique and delicious wines. On Saturday and Sunday, visitors can enjoy wine and barrel tastings, live music, delicious food and more as they tour the Lodi region during special cellar tours and activities at participating wineries.   WHEN: The harvest dinner is scheduled for Friday, September 25th 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The winery cellar tours and activities will take place Saturday, September 26th and Sunday, September 27th. Times will vary by winery.   WHERE: Lodi, CA   MORE: Tickets for the dinner can be purchased at www.sipsavorlodi.com or by calling the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at (209) 365-0621. No ticket is required for Saturday & Sunday’s winery events and cellar tours. Additional charges may apply toward the purchase of wine or food at participating wineries. Guests must be 21 years of age to attend all events.   ABOUT: Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, the Lodi wine region features 110,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.  With more than 100 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. A major winegrape growing region since the 1850s, today Lodi boasts over 750 growers. The region also serves as home to more than 85 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 when it comes to sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules™, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program.    CONTACT: For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Alexandra Fondren at 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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2016 WINE BLOGGERS CONFERENCE COMING TO LODI, CALIFORNIA

17 August, 2015

                                            2016 WINE BLOGGERS CONFERENCE COMING TO LODI, CALIFORNIA Hundreds of Wine Bloggers to Attend Conference in Lodi’s Premier Wine Country August 11-14, 2016  Lodi, CA, August 17, 2015 – It was announced over the weekend at the 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference (WBC) that the 2016 conference will take place August 11-14th in Lodi, California. Hundreds of citizen and industry wine writers for online platforms and print publications, will gather with other wine and social media professionals from around the world to meet, learn, and share at WBC’s ninth annual conference. This is the first time the conference has come to Lodi.   The annual Wine Bloggers Conference is the pre-eminent gathering of citizen wine bloggers, industry bloggers and wine writing professionals who come together for educational sessions, networking and social gathering.  It is the platform from which many learn about regions, wine brands, new offerings and evolving trends.  Wine blogging continues to drive consumer interest with wine in interactive and innovative ways, and the region of Lodi, with over 750 growers and 85 wineries, has similarly been progressive in its outreach and education to the trade, media and consumer audiences.   With its dynamic wine country and historic downtown, Lodi is well positioned to host WBC 2016. Attendees will gather in downtown Lodi’s charming Hutchins Street Square to spend four days immersed in educational wine seminars, networking, grower and winery visits, wine tastings, and – of course – blogging. WBC is an excellent opportunity for wineries to showcase their wines to a discerning and influential audience. Programming and dinners are expected to take place at various wineries and local businesses throughout the region. Given Lodi’s grounding in the grower culture, this conference will allow wine bloggers, writers, winery representatives, regional association representatives and others to interact directly with growers, many of whom have been in the region for 5 to 6 generations, thus providing literal hands-on experience for the attendees. The Lodi Winegrape Commission’s Executive Director, Camron King, announced the 2016 location over the weekend at the 2015 Wine Bloggers Conference in the Finger Lakes Wine Country in Corning, New York, host location to this year’s Conference.   Following the announcement, King said: “The historic Lodi wine growing region is excited to welcome the wine blogging and writing community as well as our colleagues in the industry and others into our vineyards, wineries and our home. Lodi is an important part of the American wine industry and we are pleased to be working with Zephyr Adventures to put together the 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference that will be educational, immersive, relevant and enlightening to the blogging community, but will also provide attendees with an in depth Lodi vineyard experience like no conference has provided before!”   Plans for the conference continue to develop and will be announced through the Wine Bloggers Conference over the coming months atwww.winebloggersconference.org. All interested in learning more about Lodi and being involved in the conference should start making their plans to attend soon.  Registration for WBC 2016 is now open.   Follow LoCA – The Wines of Lodi, California (@Lodi_Wine) and 2016 Wine Blogger’s Conference (@WineBloggersCon) on Twitter and use hashtags #WBC16 and #LodiWine to keep up with the conversation, programming and news.   About Lodi Wine Country Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, the Lodi wine region features 110,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings. With more than 100 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long renowned for its high-quality Zinfandel production, 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 gaining consumer traction for its other exciting varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Kerner, Gewurztraminer, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others. A major winegrape growing region since the 1850s, today Lodi boasts over 750 growers. The region also serves as home to more than 85 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 when it comes to 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, images and interviews, please contact Kimberly Charles or Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.   About the Wine Bloggers Conference   The Wine Bloggers Conference is the premier gathering of online wine writers. Entering its ninth season, the conference provides a forum for bloggers and writers to network; includes educational content on blogging, technology, and social media; and provides intense experiences in the local host wine industry.   The Wine Bloggers Conference is organized by Zephyr Adventures, which has been running active tours around the world for the last 18 years. In addition to Zephyr’s active tours, its sister company Taste Vacations runs wine, beer, food, and spirits tours that leave the physical activity at home. Zephyr also organizes the Beer Bloggers & Writers ConferenceInternational Food Blogger ConferenceFitBloggin’ Conference, and Wine Tourism Conference.    For more information please contact info@winebloggersconference.org.   ###
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The Lodi Winegrape Commission Releases Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing Certification Program – 2015 Report

13 August, 2015

The Lodi Winegrape Commission Releases Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing Certification Program – 2015 Report  Lodi’s sustainable winegrowing report quantifies the Lodi Rules™ for Sustainable Winegrowing program’s decade of growth, evolution, and – most importantly – grower adoption of sustainable winegrowing practices   Lodi, CA,  – Marking the program’s 10th anniversary, today the Lodi Winegrape Commission released Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing – 2015 Report. As the first regional sustainable winegrowing certification program to publish a report of this kind, its purpose is to demonstrate Lodi’s commitment to sustainable farming with a transparent peak into the log books and official records of the region’s farms and vineyards. Lodi Rules™ ranks among the most rigorous and comprehensive programs in the country – the report demonstrates both how and why.   The Lodi Rules™ for Sustainable Winegrowing is California’s original 3rd party-certified sustainable winegrowing program and is the first to be able to claim a decade of certification. It promotes practices that enhance biodiversity, soil and water health, community and employee wellbeing, ensuring that farming needs are met today without compromising the needs of future generations. The goal of the program is to support grower adoption of sustainable practices and to communicate this commitment to wineries and the general public. Lodi Rules™ has been and continues to be used as a model for other sustainable winegrowing certification programs internationally.   “Here in Lodi, sustainability is more than an idea. The Lodi Rules program is designed to help growers make sustainability tangible. To be certified, we farm in a way that meets rigorous environmental, social, and business standards. For me, sustainability means farming the right way for the right reasons. The Lodi Rules program is my template to be a better grower, a better steward of the land, a better business owner, and a better citizen. I’m excited for the world to read this report because I’m proud of my Lodi Rules-certified vineyards and I want everyone to know it,” says Chris Storm, Vino Farms, and Chair, Lodi Winegrape Commission Lodi Rules Committee.   The 2015 report notes that a growing number of wineries are incentivizing growers to participate in the Lodi Rules. In 2014 alone, over $1.4 million was paid to growers in bonuses for Lodi Rules certified winegrapes.   Furthermore, the report serves to quantify how winegrowers participating in the Lodi Rules™ program have been successful at adopting its flagship sustainable practices. For example, in the ecosystem management chapter, 92% of growers have installed nest boxes for raptors and birds to increase habitat biodiversity. In the human resources chapter, 62% have implemented a safety rewards program to incentivize their workforce to take extra precaution against on-the-job injury. In the soil management chapter, 93% of growers have used cover crops to prevent soil erosion. Overall, adoption rates averaged across each of the six chapters ranged from an impressive 77% to 90%.   Launched in 2005, Lodi Rules™ was awarded a Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) earlier this year (its second since the program’s founding). Since its inception, Lodi Rules™ has expanded and evolved, with the program growing to over 85 farming operations, and 20,000 acres of certified Lodi vineyards. There are an additional 6,000 acres certified from Sonoma to Soledad. About 25 wineries now produce wines that bare the Lodi Rules™ seal on the label.   The Lodi Rules is the only sustainable winegrowing certification program whose standards have been accredited by Protected Harvest, a non-profit organization comprised of scientists, academics and environmentalists that certifies farmers’ use of stringent environmental growing standards. Certification plays a key role in establishing transparency and trust between growers, wineries, consumers, and others across the supply chain. It ensures that sustainability claims made on wine labels are accurate and substantiated.   Visit www.lodigrowers.com for more information about the Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing certification program. The 2015 report can be accessed online.   About Lodi Wine Country Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the Lodi wine region features 100,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings. 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 85 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, which implements green-farming practices. For more information about the Lodi wine region, please visit www.lodiwine.com.     For additional information regarding the Lodi Winegrape Commission, please contact Executive Director, Camron King, at 209|327-4727 or camron@lodiwine.com.   
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Wine, Food & Fun at Lodi Lake - 2015

20 April, 2015

  Wine, Food & Fun at Lodi Lake Lodi Wine Region Gears Up to Celebrate 11th Annual ZinFest Wine Festival on May 16th, 2015    Lodi, CA – Join your favorite Lodi vintners as they celebrate the 11th annual ZinFest Wine Festival with a weekend full of fabulous local wine, food and entertainment. Events will run May 15th through May 17th, with the main festival taking place on Saturday, May 16th, at Lodi Lake Park from 12 noon to 5pm. Additional weekend activities include the ever-popular (and sold-out!) Vintner’s Grille on Friday, May 15th, as well as Sunday’s Winery Tours & Open Houses on May 17th. More than 4,000 wine lovers are expected to attend this year’s festival.   The ZinFest Wine Festival will feature 200 handcrafted wines from over 40 Lodi wineries. Beyond the glass, guests will enjoy a selection of gourmet food from local restaurants, live music, and browsing one-of-a-kind merchandise from artisan purveyors such as local olive oils and reclaimed wine barrel furniture. In addition, ZinFest attendees are invited to expand their knowledge of Lodi wines and food pairings during any of the scheduled sessions at either the al fresco ZinFest Cooking or Wine Schools.   This year’s ZinFest Wine School begins at 1pm and features the following lineup:   1:00-1:40pm – Intro to Wine Tasting  Presented by Fred Swan, Certified Sommelier, San Francisco Wine School and norcalwine.com. 2:00-2:40pm – The Art of Blind Tasting  Presented by Catherine Fallis MS, a.k.a grape goddess®, Planet Grape LLC and Resident Master Sommelier, Summertime in a Glass. 3:00–3:40pm – Taste of Lodi’s Historic Vineyards Tegan Passalacqua, Turley Wine Cellars. 4:00-4:40pm – Lodi’s New Alternative White Wines Randy Caparoso, author lodiwine.com blog, “The LoCA Life & Times” and The SOMM Journal.   “We’re extremely excited to celebrate Lodi’s heritage with Zinfandel as well as showcase the region’s diversity of winegrapes at the 11th Annual ZinFest Wine Festival on May 16th," says Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “ZinFest is the quintessential experience for anyone who is interested in learning more about the Lodi Appellation’s unique terroir and climate, tasting its variety of exceptional wines, and meeting our passionate winemakers and growers.” For those who need more than great wine to float their boat, the ZinFest Vintner's Regatta will return after making a memorable splash at its debut last year. Brave local winemakers will again take to the high seas of Lodi Lake as they race across it in ‘boats’ creatively fashioned from wine barrels, hoping to de-throne 2014 Grand Champion, Macchia Wines.   This year, the festival weekend will cap off a week’s worth of pre-ZinFest festivities, kicking off on Monday, May 11th, when the world-class Amgen Tour of California wraps its stage 2 finish in Lodi.  Amgen Tour of California’s Lifestyle Festival will take place from 11am to 4pm at Hutchins Street Square in the hours leading up to the exhilarating closed course circuit in downtown Lodi. On Thursday, May 14th, Harney Lane Winery will celebrate ZinFest with Lodi chef Warren Ito’s legendary food and wine pairing creations on their patio, while LangeTwins Winery will host “Top Chef” contestant (and Stockton native) Michael Midgley as he creates a multicourse winemaker dinner. RSVP & details here. ZinFest tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.ZinFest.com or by calling the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at 209.365.0621. Advance tickets cost $55 per person and $65 the day of the event. Designated driver tickets are also available for $10 per person. Tickets include a ZinFest wine glass, wine tasting, and participation in all seminars and entertainment. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older, including designated drivers.   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 100 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long renowned for its high-quality Zinfandel production, 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 gaining consumer traction for its other exciting varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others. A major winegrape growing region since the 1850s, today Lodi boasts over 750 growers. The region also serves as home to more than 85 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 when it comes to 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 Alexandra Fondren at 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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Lodi Wins 2014 ‘GEELA’ for the Region’s Sustainability Efforts

22 January, 2015

    Lodi Wins 2014 ‘GEELA’ for the Region’s Sustainability Efforts Lodi Rules™ is honored by Jerry Brown at the annual Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award Ceremony in Sacramento   Lodi, CA – Governor Jerry Brown’s annual Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) ceremony honored the Lodi Winegrape Commission and its Lodi Rules™ for Sustainable Winegrowing program last night at the California Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Sacramento. The award represents the highest environmental award in the state of California. The Lodi Winegrape Commission was one of twelve California organizations that received the distinction, recognized for its mission to address major environmental, economic and social challenges facing California agricultural industry.   "We are honored to receive this recognition of the innovative leadership of the Winegrape growers of Lodi and their commitment to sustainability, the community and farming for generations to come,” said Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission.   Lodi Rules™ is California’s first 3rd party-certified sustainable winegrowing program. It promotes practices that enhance biodiversity, soil and water health, community and employee well being, ensuring that quality grape-growing needs are met today without compromising the needs of future generations. The goal of the program is to support grower adoption of sustainable practices and to communicate this commitment to wineries and the general public. Lodi Rules™ has been and continues to be used as a model for other sustainable winegrowing certification programs internationally.   Launched in 2005, Lodi Rules™ grew out of the Lodi Sustainable Winegrowing program, which was awarded a 2006 GEELA for success with promoting grower adoption of Integrated Pest Management practices. Since then, the Lodi Rules™ has expanded and evolved, with the program growing to over 85 farming operations, and 20,000 acres of Lodi vineyards that have been certified. There are an additional 6,000 acres certified from Sonoma to Soledad. Over twenty wineries now produce wines that bare the Lodi Rules™ seal on the label.   These region-wide standards have been endorsed by Protected Harvest, a non-profit organization comprised of scientists, academics and environmentalists that certifies farmer’s use of stringent environmental growing standards.   There are now 101 farming practice standards in six chapters: Business Management, Human Resources, Ecosystem Management, Soil Management, Water Management, and Pest Management. Go to www.lodiwine.com for a complete list of updated Lodi Rules™ standards.   The 2014 GEELA finalists were chosen by a panel of judges that included the Governor’s Office and the secretaries of the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency; the California Department of Food and Agriculture; the California Environmental Protection Agency; the California Health and Human Services Agency; the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency; the California Natural Resources Agency; and the California State Transportation Agency. For more information on the GEELA program and this year’s award recipients, please visit www.calepa.ca.gov/Awards/GEELA/.   About Lodi Wine Country Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the Lodi wine region features 100,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings. 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, which implements green-farming practices. For more information about the Lodi wine region, please visit www.lodiwine.com.     For additional information regarding the Lodi Winegrape Commission, please contact Executive Director, Camron King, at 209|327-4727 or camron@lodiwine.com.    For media inquiries regarding Lodi Rules, the Lodi region and interviews, please contact Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.   ###
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Lodi Native Project to debut at ZAP’s 2015 Zinfandel Experience

21 January, 2015

    Lodi Native Project to debut at ZAP’s 2015 Zinfandel Experience The critically acclaimed wines will be featured at exclusive trade & media seminars   San Francisco, CA– ZAP’s 24th annual Zinfandel Experience will go au naturel to showcase its flagship grape in its most authentic form in 2015. The acclaimed Lodi Native Project will make its debut at the annual Zinfandel Advocates & Producers Zinfandel Experience, as the focus of two trade seminars surrounding the January 29-31 events.   Lodi Native™ is a collaborative project by six winegrowers of like mind, living and working in the Lodi American Viticultural Area – particularly Lodi’s historic Mokelumne River sub-AVA.  Their mission:  to turn the spotlight on the region’s heritage plantings – many of them dating back to the late 1800s – through sensible viticulture and minimalist winemaking practices, beginning with native yeast fermentation and use of no new oak.  The focus is on Zinfandel, but on the taste of vineyards rather than varietal character or brand.   2012 was the inaugural vintage, but the ever-growing crescendo of accolades surrounding the project have ensured a 2013 (and beyond!) release, as well as a growing list of wineries hopeful to participate in future vintages.   The result has been overwhelmingly positive, with Vinography founder and JancisRobinson.com contributor Alder Yarrow recently calling the project: “One of the most exciting things to happen to California wine in years”.   The project will be featured at ZAP’s select, invitation-only trade workshops and seminars, geared towards media as well as restaurant/retail/distribution professionals.     Zinfandel is Rising, Wednesday, January 28 Rock Wall Wine Company (2301 Monarch, Alameda CA 94501) 1:00pm - 2:00pm Seminar -- 2:00pm - 5:00pm Tasting   The Wednesday, January 28th event, entitled Zinfandel is Rising, will take place at Rock Wall Wine Company in Alameda. Moderated by multi-award-winning wine journalist Randy Caparoso, SOMM Journal Editor-at-Large and architect behind the Lodi Native Project, the seminar will feature a presentation of Lodi Native wines as well as a selection of first-rate Zinfandel contemporaries aimed to challenge previously-held assumptions about the grape variety.   Caparoso’s distinguished panelists are wine.com’s Wilfred Wong, NOPA’s Lulu McAllister and Wine Spectator’s Tim Fish, all of whom will address the versatility, potential and trajectory of the varietal in today’s retail, restaurant and digital markets.   2 complimentary tickets per qualified media or trade. Additional tickets can be purchased for $25 each. Call the ZAP office to place an order (530.274.4900), or check the appropriate box when registering to attend ZAP.   Sommelier & Winemakers Terroir Workshop, Saturday, January 31, 11:45am – 3:15pm Golden Gate Club & Film Centre Presidio of San Francisco 135 Fisher Loop, SF, CA 94129 The Sommelier & Winemakers Terroir Workshop will kick-off the Saturday, January 31st series of ZAP events at the Golden Gate Club in the Presidio (also available exclusively to trade and media and officially co-sponsored by The SOMM Journal). The first workshop of the day offers another chance to sample the Lodi Natives and meet some of the winemakers behind the project. Lodi AVA Segment (11:45am - 12:15pm) ·       Randy Caparoso – The SOMM Journal & LodiWine.com contributor ·       Tim Holdener Lodi Native Project & Macchia Wines ·       Layne Montgomery – Lodi Native Project & m2 Wines The Saturday workshops will focus on Zinfandel from the perspective of sommeliers: with an emphasis on terroir. In addition to the Lodi Native workshop, Caparoso will moderate four sommelier/winemaker workshops focused on some of California’s undervalued and/or overlooked Zinfandel regions. Trade and media entrance is complimentary - first come, first seated. More information can be found on the Zinfandel Experience website.   Trade tasting is for qualified trade or media only. Qualifications for trade: You must be a representative of a licensed on-or off-premise wine buyer/seller.  This includes Distributors & Licensed Brokers, Restaurants and Retailers.   For event media inquiries and registration please contact Patricia Schneider - patricia@elementalmeme.com   About Lodi Wine Country   Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the Lodi wine region features 100,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings. 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, which implements green-farming practices. For more information about the Lodi wine region, please visit www.lodiwine.com.   For additional information regarding the Lodi Winegrape Commission, please contact Executive Director, Camron King, at 209|327-4727 or camron@lodiwine.com.   About the Lodi Native Project   The Lodi Native mission is to demonstrate to more sophisticated consumers, media (print and blogosphere) and gatekeepers (such as specialty retailers and sommeliers/restaurateurs) that distinguished, distinctly identifiable vineyards exist in Lodi, similar to other great wine regions of the world. To encourage preservation and appreciation of old vine plantings – well as of Lodi’s long tradition of grower/custodians – by focusing more attention on vineyard sites, vis-à-vis real and tangible sensory expressions in each bottling. To build professional camaraderie, a culture of information sharing, and new challenges for Lodi’s Zinfandel specialists. Click here for winemaking protocols.   For media inquiries regarding the Lodi Native project, the Lodi region and interviews, please contact Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.   About ZAP   About Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) Zinfandel Advocates & Producers is a 501(c) (3) non-profit, educational organization dedicated to advancing public knowledge of and appreciation for American Zinfandel and its unique place in our culture and history. Winegrowers, winemakers and wine enthusiasts comprise the membership. The common focus is the preservation and recognition of Zinfandel as America’s grape. The Zinfandel Experience is the largest single varietal tasting of its kind, now celebrating its 24th year.   ZAP Media Contact: Paticia Schneider 415-717-7595 or patricia@elementalmeme.com       # # #    
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The Ultimate Pre-Valentine’s Weekend Escape

13 January, 2015

      The Ultimate Pre-Valentine’s Weekend Escape Lodi’s 18th Annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend, February 7th & 8th, 2015 featuring BRIX Chocolate   Lodi, CA – Few culinary delights inspire romance quite like wine and chocolate and no wine region marries the two together better than Lodi! Northern California’s favorite pre-Valentine’s Day celebration marks its 18th year when Lodi’s annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend returns next month. Winery tastings and events are scheduled for Saturday, February 7th and Sunday, February 8th, from 11am to 4pm each day. The ultimate romantic California getaway, treat someone special to Lodi Wine Country and fall in love with the diversity of handcrafted wines from the Lodi region alongside decadent chocolate treats by BRIX Chocolate.   BRIX Chocolate (www.brixchocolate.com) returns as the high-end confectioner and official chocolate sponsor of this year’s celebration, generously donating the commemorative chocolate treats that all event attendees will receive. BRIX is the first line of chocolates specifically blended to compliment wine, based on the varietal. At the root of BRIX is single-origin Ghanaian chocolate (known for its red fruit tones) mixed with the highest quality confectionery chocolate. The result is a blend so pure in flavor that it actually enhances those nuances found in great wines, without confusing the palate.   In addition to exceptional wines and select chocolate, event attendees to Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend will have the exclusive opportunity to visit over 50 participating wineries over the course of two days and engage in various activities such as wine and chocolate tastings, barrel sampling, live music and winery tours. Over 100 prizes will be awarded to lucky wine and chocolate lovers, including one Lodi Wine Country Getaway, earned by the attendee who finds the “Golden Ticket” hidden within the wrapper of their chocolate treat included with entry.   “Lodi’s Wine & Chocolate Weekend is the quintessential occasion for anyone interested in one of the greatest gustatory pleasures: the pairing of wine and chocolate,” said Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “Not only does this event offer exceptional wines, but one can experience the passion, heritage and variety of the Lodi wine region.”   Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.lodiwineandchocolate.com or by calling the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at 209|365.0621.  Advance tickets cost $55 per person and $65 per person on the day(s) of the event.  Tickets include a wine glass, a chocolate treat from BRIX Chocolate, wine tasting and admission to all participating wineries. Tickets are valid for both Saturday and Sunday and there is no charge for designated drivers. ALL attendees must be 21 and over to attend.   About Lodi Wine Country Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, 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, which implements green-farming practices.   For more information about the Lodi wine region, please visit www.lodiwine.com. For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. For additional information regarding the Lodi Winegrape Commission, please contact Executive Director, Camron King, at 209|327-4727 or camron@lodiwine.com.   # # # 
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Lodi, California’s 18th Annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend

6 January, 2015

***MEDIA ALERT***MEDIA ALERT***MEDIA ALERT***         Lodi, California’s 18th Annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend February 7th & 8th, 2015   WHO: Presented by LoCA – The Wines of Lodi, California. Over 50 boutique Lodi wineries specializing in quality, handcrafted wines.  WHAT: This year marks the 18th occasion of one of Northern California’s favorite Valentine’s Weekend celebrations: Lodi’s annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend. Bring someone special to Lodi Wine Country and fall in love with the diversity of handcrafted wines from the Lodi winegrowing region along with sweet & savory chocolate treats at more than 50 Lodi wineries. Advance tickets cost $55 per person and $65 per person the day of the event. Tickets include an event wine glass, a chocolate treat from event sponsor Brix Chocolate, an event map and guide, wine tasting and admission to all participating wineries. Don’t forget to check your chocolate treat for a “Golden Ticket” and a chance to win a Lodi Wine Country Getaway or one of over 100 additional prizes!   Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the winery’s hosted activities including wine and chocolate sampling, live music, barrel tastings and cellar tours.  Tickets are valid for both Saturday and Sunday. There is no charge for designated drivers. All guests (including designated drivers) must be 21 years of age or older. All tickets are non-refundable. Guests should be aware that there is a new policy regarding large groups and full-sized buses. For more details on this policy, guests may visit the event website. WHEN: Festivities are scheduled for Saturday, February 7th and Sunday, February 8th, from 11am to 4pm each day.  WHERE: At participating wineries throughout the entire Lodi Wine Region. For additional details on locations, please visit lodiwineandchocolate.com.  MORE: The Lodi Wine Region, which has been a major winegrape growing region since the 1850’s and today is farmed by over 750 growers, is home to more than 80 boutique wineries. Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the Lodi wine region features over 100,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.  With 100 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 dozens of others. In addition, Lodi is the leading wine region in sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules™, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program, which implements green-farming practices.  For more information about the Lodi wine region, visit www.lodiwine.com CONTACT: For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com # # #      
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“World Wine Guys” Announce Latest Book Launch

11 September, 2014

              “World Wine Guys” Announce Latest Book Launch Celebration of Wines of California: The Comprehensive Guide by Mike DeSimone & Jeff Jenssen to feature The Wines of Lodi, CA at Ordinaire Wine Bar   San Francisco, CA - Award-winning journalists and best-selling authors Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen will be launching their new book, Wines of California, at Ordinaire Wine Bar in Oakland on Saturday, September 20th.   Join the celebration along with vintners from LoCA - The Wines of Lodi, CA - a region featured in the book for both its historic importance to California wine as well as its burgeoning reputation for highly-sought, boutique labels and winegrape varieties that adhere to the highest standards in both quality and sustainability. About Wines of California   (Sterling Epicure, release date September 2, 2014)   Training their eyes beyond Napa and Sonoma, "World Wine Guys" Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen have created the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of the state's myriad wine-growing regions. This 600-page tome offers an unparalleled look into California winemaking, history, and geography from Mendocino to Ramona Valley and all points in between, including detailed listings of outstanding producers.   Enjoy winery profiles with tasting notes, winemaker interviews, and recipes, with photos and wine labels throughout. Among 29 winemaker profiles are interviews with Peter Mondavi Sr, Heidi Barrett, and Jean-Charles Boisset. Dishes with wine pairings include recipes from wine country notables such as Michael Chiarello, Tyler Florence, and Joel Gott. The foreword is by Michael Mondavi and the preface is by Kevin Zraly—two of the most important names in wine today.   Advance praise for Wines of California includes quotes from Kathie Lee Gifford, Jennifer Simonetti Bryan MW, and others. Here’s what Virginie Boone, California Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine had to say: "In answer to those who would question California's wine soul, Wines of California joyously explores and celebrates the state's wide-reaching and diverse range of world-class wines and the people who make them. It'll inspire you to hit the California highway, corkscrew and Riedel’s in hand."   About the authors Aside from being the entertaining and lifestyle editors at Wine Enthusiast, DeSimone and Jenssen are award-winning journalists, authors and the proud recipients of the
prestigious Golden Pen Award for food, wine, and travel journalism.   The pair received the title "World Wine Guys" after visiting most of the world’s wine regions throughout six continents.   Their experiences prompted them to write the best-selling book Wines from the Southern Hemisphere: The Complete Guide, which won the Gourmand International Award for Best Wine Book 2012 in the US.   Along with regularly hosted wine tastings and educational seminars around the world, they have been featured guests on a number of national TV talk shows, and are regular travel and wine contributors for The Huffington Post.   The authors will be in Oakland celebrating the launch of their book at Ordinaire Wine Bar, which has quickly emerged as one of the most buzzed about wine bar destinations in the Bay Area since its opening last year. A fitting venue to celebrate Lodi and Wines of California, Ordinaire offers primarily small-production California wines, many of them made with natural techniques, and sports eight wines on tap for sampling.    The event will take place Saturday, September 20th at 5pm (4pm for a special media preview) at Ordinaire Wine Bar: 3354 Grand Ave Oakland, CA 94610.   For media inquiries, reservations and interviews, please contact Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com.     ###      
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Lodi Celebrates 2014 Harvest with Sip Savor Lodi, September 26-28th!

25 August, 2014

      Lodi Celebrates 2014 Harvest with Sip Savor Lodi, September 26-28th! Premier three-day festival to include an al fresco harvest dinner in downtown Lodi, cellar tours and a grand tasting showcasing 40+ Lodi wineries   Lodi, CA– Join the Wines of Lodi, CA and Lodi Appellation’s vintners for Sip Savor Lodi – a wine country harvest celebration! Festivities kick off the evening of Friday, September 26th with a picturesque, al fresco Harvest Dinner on Pine Street in downtown Lodi, featuring farm-to-table highlights from the region’s agricultural bounty paired with Lodi’s most unique and delicious wines. Pine Street (one block between Sacramento and School Streets) will be closed to traffic for the event, allowing for an unparalleled harvest setting underneath the historic, Mission Revival Lodi Arch – a California Registered Landmark.   On Saturday, visitors can enjoy wine and barrel tastings, live music, delicious food and more as they tour the Lodi region during special Cellar Tours at participating wineries. The weekend celebration culminates on Sunday with the Grand Tasting, where educational seminars and award-winning wines from 40+ Lodi wineries will be featured alongside flavorful local bites and live music at the beautiful Wine & Roses Hotel.   “Sip Savor Lodi is a new and exciting way for locals and visitors alike to celebrate the winegrape and agricultural bounty grown in the Lodi region,” says Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “Not only can attendees look forward to experiencing a variety of exceptional Lodi wines throughout the weekend but can expect to learn more about our heritage and our region’s unique terroir and climate by participating in fun, educational activities hosted by our passionate winemakers and growers.”   A truly comprehensive Lodi weekend experience, the complete event schedule is as follows:   Harvest Dinner • Downtown Lodi FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 • 6 PM - 9 PM Take your seat at our dinner table, set with style on downtown Lodi’s Pine Street! Celebrate the agricultural bounty grown in the Lodi region as you enjoy exquisite, freshly prepared cuisine by Elaine Bell Catering served al fresco alongside the region's finest wines.   Tickets are $125 per person and $1,000 for a reserved table of eight. Attendance is limited. Tickets are non-refundable. Must be 21 years of age to attend. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at (209) 365-0621. Cellar Tours • Participating Lodi Wineries SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2014TIMES VARY BY WINERY Celebrate harvest with our passionate vintners in the intimacy of their cellars while enjoying wine and barrel tastings, live music, delicious eats, educational activities and more as you tour the Lodi region at your leisure. Experience firsthand the diversity, quality and hospitality that make Lodi the newest fine wine region in California. No ticket required. Some charges may apply. Must be 21 years of age to attend. For a complete list of participating wineries, please visit www.sipsavorlodi.com. Grand Tasting • Wine & Roses Hotel, Restaurant, Spa SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2014 • 1 PM - 4 PM Sip award-winning, handcrafted wines from 40+ Lodi wineries as you stroll the beautiful grounds of Wine & Roses Hotel. Savor tasty bites from the region’s finest food purveyors, relax to the sounds of live music at our open air garden lounge, or learn something new at the Sip & Savor Wine Seminars. Browse local olive oils, cheeses and sweet treats from regional vendors and take home your favorite wines from the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center.   Tickets for Sunday’s Grand Tasting are $55 per person in advance and $65 per person the day of the event. Designated driver tickets for Sunday’s Grand Tasting are available for $25 per person in advance or the day of the event. Tickets are non-refundable. Must be 21 years of age to attend. Tickets can be purchased at www.sipsavorlodi.com or by calling the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at (209) 365-0621.   Tickets for all events can be purchased at www.sipsavorlodi.com or by calling the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at (209)365.0621. No ticket is required for Saturday’s Cellar Tours. Must be 21 years of age to attend events.   About Lodi Wine Country   Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, 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, which implements green-farming practices. For more information about the Lodi wine region, please visit www.lodiwine.com. For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Alexandra Fondren at Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. For additional information regarding the Lodi Winegrape Commission, please contact Executive Director, Camron King, at 209|327-4727 or camron@lodiwine.com.   ###        
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