The Coldani family has farmed in the San Joaquin Valley for more than 100 years,
focusing primarily on row crops, alfalfa hay and cattle.
In 2007, two years after planting their first olive tree, they formed Calivirgin in Lodi.
Customers were enamored with their extra virgin and natural flavored olive oils,
balsamic and red wine vinegars, and dipping spices.
With the success of Calivirgin, the Coldanis formed Calivines in 2018 to honor their
history of home winemaking dating to their origin in Piedmont, Italy.
The Coldani’s two passions are beautifully presented at Coldani Family Winery and
Olive Mill on Thornton Road just east of Interstate 5 between Eight Mile Road and
Kettleman Lane — a family-friendly must for fans of premium local olive oil and delicious
food and wine.
The Coldanis take immense pride in creating products they fully guarantee when it
comes to flavor, quality and style. They oversee every step from farm to table and use
only fresh, real ingredients — nothing artificial — in their flavored olive oils, and carefully
source vineyards in Lodi and Suisun Valley for their wines.
The tasting room, where Calivirgin and Calivines products are available to taste and
purchase, is accented by a grassy outdoor space with picnic tables, shade umbrellas,
and plenty of room for the kids to frolic. Weekends frequently include live music. The
indoor tasting room is comfortable and spacious. There is a wine bar with tall chairs;
tables and chairs in the main space; and a lounge and private outdoor patio for wine
club members.
Small bites, snacks, other drinks and a variety of tasting experiences are available to
suit your palate and appetite.
During a recent visit to celebrate my wife’s birthday, we enjoyed the Sommelier
Experience: Wine and Olive Oil Pairing ($25/$20 club). Calivines’ sommelier and
manager, Ben, and server, Rachelle, presented Calivines wines with small bites using
Calivirgin products and local ingredients.
The experience included mozzarella pearls marinated in Calivirgin dipping spices and
Calivirgin premium extra virgin olive oil paired with Calivines Sparkling Blanc de Blancs,
Methode Champenoise; rustic bakery cracker topped with Manchego cheese, dried
apricots and a drizzle of Wilderbee hot honey paired with the 2023 Vicino Sauvignon
Blanc; Purple Moon cheddar cheese with Molinari salami paired with the 2022 Vicino
Merlot; and chocolate cheesecake made with Calivirgin Blood Orange Olive Oil topped with candied pecans and a chocolate crumble paired with the 2018 Calivines Reserve
Cabernet Sauvignon.
In addition, we were poured the 2023 Calivines Sparkling Chardonnay and the 2016
Calivines Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, a library wine from Calivines’ first vintage. In
honor of my wife’s birthday, Ben and Rachelle presented a scoop of vanilla ice cream
drizzled with Calivirgin Blood Orange Olive Oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. Everything
was delicious.
As I sat amid a mild food and wine coma, I couldn’t help but smile and shake my head
while thinking how fortunate I am as a wine lover to live in a region where family farmers
put everything they have into their work to make life for others more enjoyable.
There are many more gems in Lodi. Let me know your favorite spots in Lodi and what
makes them special at info@stocktonia.org, and I’ll include your recommendations in
future columns.
If You Go:
- Calivines Winery and Olive Mill
- 13950 Thornton Rd., Lodi, CA
- Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- Phone: (209) 210-3162
- Website: https://www.calivirgin.com/visit-us