Main Menu
Quotes
“These twelve wines truly reflect the state of Zinfandel in Lodi today – they are full of deep concentrated berry and dark fruit flavors, balanced, luscious and satisfying. I can’t wait to add them to my wine list.”

– Ellen Landis, sommelier, Landis Shores Inn
“Whether you're seeking an elegant Zin or one that packs a power punch, Zinfandels from Lodi rank among California's best. Not only is there a range of styles to choose from, the price-to-quality ratio of Lodi Zins is unmatched. Uncork and enjoy."

- Leslie Sbrocco
Subscribe
subscribe
The Selection Process

WINE EXPERTS PICK LODI’S “TOP TWELVE” ZINFANDEL WINES

A panel of seven leading wine experts gathered yesterday at the Lodi Wine and Visitor Center to “blind taste” through 52 Lodi Zinfandel wines to select the top twelve. 

After 3 ½ hours of tasting and deliberation the experts selected the following Zinfandel wines: 2004 Campus Oaks Old Vine; 2002 Century Oak Old Vine; 2004 Jessie’s Grove “Westwind”; 2004 Klinker Brick Old Vine; 2004 M2 “Soucie Vineyard”; 2005 Macchia “Mischievous”; 2005 Macchia “Soucie Vineyard”; 2005 Michael David “Earthquake”; 2004 Michael David “Lust”; 2005 Olde Lockeford Old Vine; 2005 St.Amant “Marian’s Vineyard”; and 2004 VanRuiten Family Vineyards Old Vine.

Participating in the selection panel were some of the industry’s most respected palates – well recognized writers, educators and sommeliers. Serving on the panel were: Jim Gordon, Editor, Wines and Vines Magazine; Jon and Eileen Fredrikson, The Gomberg Fredrikson Report; Keith Goldston, MS, Court of Master Sommeliers; Ken and Ellen Landis, chef and sommelier, Landis Shores Inn; and Marion Cassin, wine writer and marketing consultant, Santa Rosa CA. 

The wines will be packaged as a unit and sent to leading wine writers nationwide to educate the media and public about this up and coming wine region. A limited number of cases will be made available for sale to the public through the Lodi Wine and Visitor Center.

Lodi has a long history of growing Zinfandel, with some local vines over 100 years old.  Today over forty percent of California’s Zinfandel comes from Lodi. While much of it is destined for easy quaffing White Zinfandel, the region is gaining a reputation for high quality, full-bodied red wines that are a great accompaniment to food. According to selection panel member Ellen Landis “these twelve wines truly reflect the state of Zinfandel in Lodi today – they are full of deep concentrated berry and dark fruit flavors, balanced, luscious and satisfying. I can’t wait to add them to my wine list.”

Nestled between the San Francisco Bay and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Lodi region enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny days and long, cool evenings.  In recent years grape acreage has grown to nearly 100,000 acres, making the Lodi appellation California’s leading producer of popular varieties such as Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, among others.

More background on Lodi is available online at www.lodiwine.com.  Photos of the region, and the actual tasting, can be obtained by contacting the Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission at 209-367-4727.

Home | Order | Contact Us