The calendar has turned to a new year, and though winter is in full swing, it won’t be long before spring arrives and with it, a spirit of renewal.
One highlight to the wine event calendar, one that signals the spirit of spring, is the Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend, which this year celebrates its 28th incarnation with two fun-filled days on Feb. 15-16.
Wine & Chocolate Weekend, presented by the Lodi Winegrape Commission, is an annual spectacle that exposes locals and visitors from near and afar to one of the most diverse and authentic wine regions in the country.
The weekend is comprised of two distinctly different experiences.
- On Saturday, Feb. 15, more than 30 local wineries will participate in the passport event, in which guests receive a custom 15-ounce stemless wine glass, chocolate treat from partner CocoTutti, and admission to all participating wineries who will offer unique tasting experiences. Guests will have an opportunity to taste the many varieties produced in the Lodi wine region and meet those who grow and make them. Each winery will offer its unique personality to the event.
- On Sunday, Feb. 16, the Winemakers Toast at the beautiful Wine & Roses Resort and Spa is the ultimate food and wine pairing extravaganza. Some two dozen Lodi wineries will offer a variety of their wines to enjoy with delicious small bites crafted by Wine & Roses’ culinary masters. Wine & Roses’ chefs thoughtfully highlight seasonal produce and locally grown food to pair specifically with Lodi’s delicious white, rose, red, and sparkling wines. Guests also will receive a 19.5-ounce long stem wine glass.
On a personal note, if you don’t mind indulging me: my love affair with Lodi wine came more than 20 years ago when I attended Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend. I was blown away by the quality of the wines and amazed to meet several growers, winemakers, and winery proprietors. I was embarrassed I didn’t realize sooner that one of the greatest wine regions in the world was in my backyard. The number of tasting rooms in the region has changed from a handful in the late 1990s to close to 85 today. But what hasn’t changed is the down-to-earth, approachable, non-pretentious vibe in Lodi, and the genuine love Lodi’s growers and winemakers have for the region, which they are proud and anxious to share with everyone.
Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend is a great gateway to Lodi, but it is not an open invitation to drink to excess. If you imbibe, enjoy responsibly; bring a designated driver (no ticket required for DDs on Saturday; tickets are required for all attendees of the Winemakers Toast, even DDs); drink plenty of water; and pace yourself. Lodi will be open long after Wine & Chocolate Weekend. You don’t have to visit them all at once.
Tickets for Saturday’s passport event (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) are $75 each, and $95 each for the Winemakers Toast (11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.).
Lodi Wine & Chocolate has welcomed more than 100,000 guests and generated more than $2 million to support programs directly benefiting the region’s winemaking community in the areas of marketing, research, education and sustainable agriculture.
For tickets and more information, including frequently asked questions and the lists of participating wineries, go to lodiwineandchocolate.com.
Photos courtesy of the Lodi Winegrape Commission.