Create. Reveal. Evolve.

Sip, Swirl and Savor at Lodi’s 9th Annual ZinFest Wine Festival

10 May, 2013

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WHAT: The Lodi wine region is pleased to host its 9th Annual ZinFest Wine Festival at Lodi Lake Park. The event will feature more than 200 handcrafted wines from over 40 Lodi wineries, delicious food from a variety of local restaurants and an eclectic mix of live music entertainment. Tickets are $45 in advance or $55 at the gate and can be purchased online or by calling the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center at (209) 365-0621. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

WHEN: Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 12 – 5 p.m.

WHERE: Lodi Lake Park, 1101 – 1301, W. Turner Road, Lodi, CA 95242

MORE: Guests will enjoy a wide array of Lodi varietals to taste, from Albariño to Zinfandel, regional cuisines from the best of San Joaquin County’s gourmet food purveyors and live music along the Mokelumne River. Local artisan merchants will display their one-of-a-kind merchandise, from local olive oil to reclaimed wine barrel furniture. In addition, guests will learn some new tips from demonstrations at the ZinFest Wine and Cooking Schools. Unique to this event, a custom blended commemorative bottling of Old Vine Zinfandel will be available for purchase as well. In addition, on Sunday, May 19th, guests are invited to embark on a self-guided tour of the Lodi Appellation as participating wineries host special activities and tastings in the intimacy of their cellars. No ticket is required for Sunday's ZinFest Winery Tours and Open Houses.

ABOUT: 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.

CONTACT: For more information, please visit www.zinfest.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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