Lodi Wine Festival looks to uncork another vintage experience
Mar. 20—It looks to be another vintage year for the Lodi Wine Festival, which will be held at the Lodi Grape Festival grounds for a third year on Saturday, April 6 from 2 to 5 p.m.
"Last year was great," Grape Festival manager Mark Armstrong said. "We've got a good formula going for it. We had about 2,000 people come out last year. Everyone just really loves it."
Formerly known as the Lodi Wine Show, the event has been known as the Wine Festival since 2021.
The event will showcase as many as 40 wineries, along with a variety of food, artisan crafts and music.
Armstrong said the event hasn't changed from previous years.
"We change wineries, we change music, we change the food, but the format's the same," he said. "It doesn't look much different, but it's always different."
Wine lovers will have the choice of purchasing VIP tasting or Grand Tasting tickets, both of which include tastings from the 40 wineries on hand, a commemorative wine glass, live music, a goody bag with snacks and access to artisan vendor booths.
However, the VIP tasting gives guests entry from 1 to 2 p.m. — an hour before doors open for the general, Grand Tasting — and access to a VIP lounge that offers special wines and food. A limited number of guests will be admitted for the VIP Tasting.
Admission for the VIP tasting is $70 in advance and $80 at the door. Prices for the grand tasting are $50 in advance and $60 at the door.
Mike McKay of McKay Cellars will host a flight tasting during the VIP Lounge, and Cousins Maine Lobster will have its food truck on-hand.
Music will be performed by Valley Roots, a Stockton-based fan favorite playing hits from the blues funk and soul genres, and Stogies Cigar Lounge will have a mobile lounge set up as well.
While Michael David and LangeTwins are always a draw at the festival, other wineries offering up their wares include E2 Family Winery, Heritage Oak Winery, GoodMills Family Winery, Jeremy Wine Co. and Twisted Barrel Winery, to name a few.
Former Lodi City Councilman Mark Chandler's new venture, Burlington Chandler Wine, will also be on-hand.
Other amenities available during the festival include "Play and Stay" RV parking and the Ultimate Wine Collection, the latter of which is filled with more than 100 bottles of wine for $20 donated by participating wineries and the Lodi Grape Festival Board of Directors.
"Play and Stay" lets guests park their RVs on the festival grounds for the night, and provides water and electric hook-ups for $30.
Tickets for both must be purchased separately, and reservations for the "Play and Stay" must be made in advance.
Designated driver tickets are $30 for VIP Lounge guests and $20 for Grand Tasting guests.
Tickets are available online at www.grapefestival.com.
"It's a wonderful chance for people to come out at an affordable price and taste wine," Armstrong said. "And it's a great way for people to promote Lodi wines, especially to guests who are new to Lodi. When they leave, they can spread the word about how great our wines are here."
