This will be the last in the series of articles on the First Sip event held in Lodi, California November 14-15, 2009. This was a fun event with some very hospitable hosts, the wineries of the Lodi Wine Appellation. I of course could not go to all 40 participating wineries for this event. The nine that I did visit represented the vast range of wineries in the area that, if they continue to perfect their wines, will change the face (and taste) of Lodi wines for years to come. Zinfandel is still the flagship for this Appellation and it makes a wonderful, diverse, and tasty wine, the best anywhere. However, Lodi is moving beyond just Zin, with some wineries working very hard to perfect other varieties. Some have been successful in creating other wines for which Lodi will be known. It will just take a while to leave behind Lodi’s past wine image and will take extensive marketing and self awareness to work. I personally think they will be successful in their efforts.
Now for the last day and final two wineries we visited.
Jessie’s Grove Winery
This family came to Lodi, under Joseph Spenker, in the mid 1800′s and settled down on a 320 acre ranch producing wheat. Joseph diversified the ranch in the late 1800′s by adding more acreage for a vineyard that is producing much of the grapes used today. The property was left to Jessie Spenker. She was a forward thinking woman in that she was an environmentalist that set aside 32 acres for this purpose. This area is now known as Jessie’s Grove, the namesake of the winery. In the summer months, the Grove plays hosts to concerts with the annual Rhythm and Blues live series.
There is a museum on the premises of the original barns, equipment, and tools (I took some photos below). Visitors can bring a picnic, buy some wine, and relax on a nice day in the Grove among the trees, museum, chickens, and horses. This winery produces some very nice wines to boot and tasted a few while listening to a band they had for First Sip guests.
Wines Tasted
2006 Westwind Old Vine Zinfandel. This wine comes from the oldest vines ranging from 65-120 years old. It was smooth and had classic Zin flavors of berry, a bit of caramel, and pepper. I liked it very much and was very good with a soup they were serving guests (see below). Unlike some of the other Zins tasted during this event, I think this one is ready to drink now with very little tannin, in my opinion. It helped that this was an ’06 as some of the other wineries had their ’07s making this one more aged. Per the person pouring the wine, this goes for $32.00 a bottle. This wine would go well with any smoke flavored dish and grilled meats, perhaps even grilled chicken, pork, or salmon.
2005 Petite Sirah. This wine was also aged more than others tasted during the event, which is why these wines are less tannic and have a deeper taste, so it is very difficult to compare a younger wine to an older one. Having said that, it was a good wine. I usually do not go for Petite Sirahs much, but this I could enjoy with most meat, even ham. It would go well with chocolate desserts as there was a hint of chocolate going down. This sells for $32.00 per bottle.
Earth, Zin, and Fire. You guessed it another Zin. This was an “everyday” Zin, went down nicely and would be good with anything you are having any night of the week if you like reds. It would go well with pizza, chinese food, pasta, sandwiches, could even work with Mexican food if daring, you name it. This wine is priced at $15.99.
Foodie Notes
They had assorted breads, olive oil tasting, and soup. About that soup — it was one of the best Butternut Squash soups I ever had. That is saying a lot too. It was very flavorful and deep textured. I wish they had the recipe. They should bottle this up and sell it at their winery, I would keep them in business. Guess I was into soup that weekend as I went head over heels for the Rustic Tuscan Soup at d’Art winery too. They had a recipe online at least, not that I will ever fix it mind you. Guess I do not get homemade soup often, you think? The picture I took of this soup below does not do it justice, but you can at least see its rich color.
Jessie’s Grove Winery, 1973 W. Turner Road, Lodi, CA 95242. Phone: 209-368-0880. The winery is opened daily and they do charge $5.00 for tasting, you should call ahead for any specials or events. For more information and history, please click this link to their website: Jessie’s Grove Winery.
PHOTO JOURNAL OF JESSIE’S GROVE WINERY
Berghold Vineyards and Winery
The winery is owned by Joseph and Kay Berghold. Their son, Miles is the winemaker. Since 1986, the family has been growing and selling their Lodi wine grapes to other wineries, including several in Napa. Like so many grape growers in the area, they decided to become winemakers in 1999. They have over 85 acres of Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier, and of course Zinfandel grapes to make varietals and blends.
As it was approaching 3:30 pm and the First Sip events were to end at 4:00 pm, I almost did not make it to this winery — I am so glad that did not happen.
Off the Main Salon in the Barrel Room Tasting Room is a 26 foot Louis XIV Solid Oak Bar
The winery was very busy and people were not leaving, I soon found out why. The winery’s building and grounds were impeccable and could tell that a lot of money was spent on design and architectural details. Placement of over sixty antique piano legs as cabriole corbels grace the the building’s roof line along with three cupolas whereby the middle one is lit at night like a beacon through a beautiful chandelier. Roses were abundant, I was told that more than 1,000 rose bushes lined the grounds. Plenty of olive trees too and for a purpose, as they plan to diversify into olive oil soon. The Bergholds are collectors of Victorian era antiques. As you walk through the ten foot hand carved antique cherry doors, a wonderful surprise awaited us – a Victorian Christmas! The decorations were like a fairy tale and although it is a winery, any child (perhaps the child in all of us) would feel like they were in a wonderland. The place was filled with decorations and gifts, most hand made or collector pieces. They have two ornate tasting rooms. One with a Louis XIV Oak Bar that is in the Barrel Room and the other in the main tasting room that houses a Victorian Eastlake carved mahogany bar and an early 1900 Stieff concert grand piano. The Bergholds also have a collection of one of a kind humidors and wine storage cabinets that were made with antique wooden doors bought from antique collections throughout the country, these are gorgeous and intricate pieces of fine craftsmanship and custom engineering. Please see Photo Journal below for pictures.
The Bergholds had a variety of wines out for tasting, all of them were unique and fine wines. The Bergholds would also like to make Bordeaux type wines and would not be surprised that they will have a very nice Meritage under their label. They also make a port and a late harvest viognier under their “Stogie Club” label.
Wines Tasted
2007 Viognier. This was a nice wine. This is a limited supply wine and filled the mouth with fruit and spices. It also had a buttery taste and as you can tell from my earlier articles, I do prefer this in Chardonnay and in Viognier wines. This would go well with pork, chicken, salads, light pasta dishes, veal, and would also go well with most cheese plates. It is selling for $18.99 or $16.14 for wine club.
2006 Foot Stomp Zinfandel. This did not have an old vine taste as it was not, but it was a smooth tasting wine, that the Berghold’s call a “liquid berry pie” and I think they are right. This was one of the sweeter Zins that I tasted, but enjoyed it. It is selling for $21.99 or $18.99 for wine club. For this particular Berghold wine, the pricing by the competition for Old Vine Zin is a bit better. However, this was a unique tasting wine.
2005 Merlot. This was a wonderful wine. It should age well over the next 5-7 years, so this one is a keeper for those that can hold themselves back from opening wine for that long. If you cannot wait, then this is still very good right now with lighter fare. If aged a bit, this would be perfect for lamb, roasts with a wine based gravy and other dishes that you prefer a wine that will not over power the food you are having. This actually reminds me of a french wine and will be more than happy to pour this wine for my guests. This goes for $21.99 or $18.69 for wine club.
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. This was delightful now, but will be excellent aged for at least six years for the true body and flavor to come out. This is a Cab that deserves to be in wine cellar of any wine enthusiast. The ’05 sells for $21.99 or $18.69 for wine club.
2003 Cabernet Franc/Syrah. This was a nice blend, I personally do not favor Cabernet Franc, but this blend with the Syrah was a delicate balance that had an uncanny ability to be both sweet and dry at the same time. What I mean by that is it did not have an overwhelming sweetness upon first sip (no pun intended), it was smooth and slightly spicy; however it went down on the sweet side in a pleasing way. I would pair this with some appetizers, with grilled meats, or anything else per your taste. For some reason while I tasted this wine, I was thinking of chocolate covered strawberries — will need to personally try that and see if it works! This wine sells for $18.99 or $16.14 wine club.
Note that we also tasted a Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah blend that was very close to a Bordeaux in complexity. Did not get the year, but will come back for that one.
All in all I was very impressed with this winery and will only get better with age.
Joseph Berghold, Owner
Joseph Berghold took time out from First Sip and spent some time with us discussing his love of wine and antiques. He was very helpful for this article. I find him a visionary too, he knows what the past reputation is of the Lodi/Woodbridge Appellation and he wants to change that, especially as he has quality wines and can make a difference. He along with several other visionary winery owners from the Lodi Appellation that feel the same way and offer quality wines, will be a subject that I will cover in a future article. I plan on going back next year and interview owners and winemakers that I feel are producing or will produce quality wine and can take Lodi’s most famous crop and compete with the best of them.
Berghold Vineyard and Winery, 17343 N. Cherry Road, Lodi California, 209-333-9291. They have tastings and tours by appointment for $5.00 per person that is taken off any bottle purchase. Their website for further information is: Berghold Vineyards.
PHOTO JOURNAL OF BERGHOLD VINEYARD AND WINERY
Hope you enjoyed this series on wineries that I visited for First Sip and that I provided you with some information for your trip to Lodi Wine Country. Hope you try some of the wines yourself. If you do, send me some of your comments.
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