Gerardo Espinosa Jr. has an eclectic blend of interests.
He’s an architectural designer, a winegrape grower, a winemaker, an art aficionado, a music lover, a foodie, and an adventure seeker.
Espinosa has brought his various interests together at The Lounge at Lodi Crush on Elm Street in downtown Lodi.
Recently, I spent a lazy Sunday afternoon at The Lounge at Lodi Crush with my wife, Christiane, and our good friends, Sonja and Rick Behler. We enjoyed a flight of mimosas, a delicious array of charcuterie and cheese, and on this day, music by the legendary Marvin Zeller Band. What a great way to spend the day.
The Lounge at Lodi Crush occupies the former Toasted Toad Cellars. Espinosa parlayed his architectural acumen to reimagine the space and created a warm, inviting tasting room appointed by local art, comfortable sofas, and plush pillows.
Not only is the décor reason to spend time at The Lounge at Lodi Crush, but the wine is a draw, too. And isn’t wine what we’re talking about here?
Espinosa has two businesses operating under the same roof. The Lounge at Lodi Crush is the tasting room open to the public Thursday through Sunday. Lodi Crush is Espinosa’s custom crush facility tucked behind the tasting room. Espinosa crafts wine on the premises for his label, Anaya Vineyards, and several other wineries from California.
Anaya Vineyards and wines from Espinosa’s clients are available at The Lounge at Lodi Crush by the glass, flight or bottle. The opportunity to experience multiple wineries – of which all are boutique and family-owned – makes the Lounge at Lodi Crush one of the more unique tasting rooms among the some 65 in the Lodi appellation.
Espinosa has a rich background in Lodi wine. His grandfather, Victor Anaya, emigrated from Mexico in the 1940s and with his family worked in the fields of California. Mr. Anaya purchased property in the Clements Hills area of the Lodi appellation and planted petite sirah and cabernet sauvignon. The grapes were sold to large, premium wineries. Espinosa immersed himself in the study of enology and the winemaking business. In 2009, he took the family tradition to another level when he launched his own wine brand, Viňedos Aurora, which means “vineyard that receives the first light of day.” In 2015, Espinosa and Mark Nurredine of Bull Outdoor Products in Lodi opened Lodi Crush, a custom winemaking facility on Pine Street in Lodi.
Lodi Crush grew and Espinosa eventually left WMB Architects in Stockton to focus full-time on every aspect of the winemaking and hospitality businesses. In 2021, Espinosa opened Lodi Crush and The Lounge at Lodi Crush.
Anaya Vineyards’ lineup covers the wine drinking spectrum from full-bodied cabernet sauvignon, nebbiolo, petite sirah, and tempranillo to light and airy pinot grigio and juicy albarino.
Chris Rivera, formerly with Klinker Brick Winery in Lodi, has his burgeoning Seis Soles wines available at The Lounge at Lodi Crush. Wine from Campos Family Vineyards, Jenner Family Estates, and Kursed Wines are also poured.
Melissa Grizzle, owner of Midtown Creperie inside Ibiza Restaurant on the Miracle Mile in Stockton, does a fantastic job with the food at The Lounge at Lodi Crush. The charcuterie and cheese board was delicious.
The Lounge at Lodi Crush is a great way to experience a gifted individual’s multiple passions.
Bob Highfill has earned the Certified Specialist of Wine certificate from the Society of Wine Educators and the Level 3 certificate from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), and he will take you on a journey to meet the growers and winemakers who make Lodi such a special place. Please share your article suggestions and your tales from Lodi wine country at info@stocktonia.org.
The Lounge at Lodi Crush
Location: 21 East Elm St., Lodi
Hours: Thursday and Sunday noon-5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday noon-8 p.m.
Information: 209-400-6112; theloungelodi.com