This is based on wine provided by the winery or organization acting on their behalf.

2009 LangeTwins Zinfandel Centennial

2011 Harney Lane Zinfandel Old Vine Lizzy James Vineyard

2012 St. Amant Winery Zinfandel Old Vines Marian’s Vineyard Lodi

2011 Klinker Brick Bricks & Mortar

2010 Mettler Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown

What you call Crazy,

We call Passion

About the tasting

Giving Thanks – A Salute to Lodi’s Multi-generational Families

This very special virtual tasting was a prelude to Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays. During this time of year, we reflect on what we’re thankful for, like family and traditions. We’d like you to celebrate with us as we taste wines produced from families that have been in the tradition of winemaking and winegrape growing for multiple generations (some for over a century!) and discuss the rich history of the Lodi wine region.

Highlighting families that have been in the Lodi wine industry for generations, Stuart Spencer – Program Director for the Lodi Winegrape Commission and second generation Winemaker for St. Amant Winery – hosted this tasting along with Randy Lange, fifth generation winegrape grower and Director of Winery Operations at LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards, and Farrah Felten, sixth generation winegrape grower as well as Tasting Room Manager and Wine Club Director at Klinker Brick Winery.

Lodi Information

Lodi is just east of San Francisco and has provided grapes for producers all over the world since the 1800’s. The Lodi area has provided grapes for producers all over the world for decades, and many families in Lodi have been growing grapes for six and seven generations. Today, there are approximately 85 wineries and tasting rooms, over 750 growers and more than 100,000 acres planted to vineyards. The wines we tasted commemorate the heritage of Lodi and are not only exquisite, but tell a narrative.

It is a well-known fact that Lodi is predominantly a red wine region, proudly holding the self-proclaimed title of “Zinfandel Capital of the World”. What is lesser known is that Lodi’s unique Mediterranean climate allows for over 75 different varietals to thrive.

Tons of great and useful information is available on the Wines of Lodi, LOCA website. I highly encourage you to read about the area by clicking here. You can also follow Lodi on Twitter at @Lodi_Wine.

Lodi Green Program

The Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing is California’s first 3rd party-certified sustainable winegrowing program. Originally launched in 2005, over the past two years the program went through and extensive review to update and make standards more rigorous.

The Lodi Rules takes a comprehensive approach to farming that goes beyond just pest management to promote practices that enhance biodiversity, water and air quality, soil health, and employee and community well-being. This allows us to produce higher quality wines more reflective of the places and people that grow them. It gives you the opportunity to promote responsible farming by enjoying the great wines from these vineyards.

When you drink a certified sustainably grown Lodi wine, you are supporting a farmer, a vintner, and a community that embraces its responsibility to take care of the environment.

Visit the Lodi Certified Green site for more information on the region’s sustainable winegrowing.

About Charles Communications Associates

CCA is an independent creative marketing firm that employs traditional public relations and new media strategies to assist companies, organizations and non-profits in the creation, development and marketing of interesting and compelling brands. Recognized as one of the most effective PR firms in the wine industry, we have an exceptional track record of promoting products in the gourmet, natural and organic food and beverage categories, from wine and tea to top shelf spirits and luxury goods. We consider ourselves fortunate to work with clients who share our philosophy of social responsibility in work and everyday life.

For more information, visit the CCA website.

The Line Up

These wines were provided by the wineries and Charles Communications for the tasting:

2009 LangeTwins Zinfandel Centennial – SRP $60

Produced from a vineyard planted in 1903, the Centennial Zinfandel is elegant with layers of rich brambleberry and intense blackberry with well-integrated oak notes and spice. The Lange Family has been sustainably growing winegrapes in the Lodi Appellation for five generations. To learn more about LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards, please visit their site by clicking here.

My Tasting Note

The wine has 15.2% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

The wine is a medium ruby red color. The very appealing nose has brambly berries, black peppercorns, vanilla, coconut, spicy oak, warm baking spices and some earthiness. The wine is fairly full bodied, with soft to moderate tannins and has good acidity. On the palate peppery berries, spicy oak, and cherries hit up front with a touch of earth in the background. This has decent length with some coconut joining berries and oak. (89 pts)

2009 LangeTwins Zinfandel Centennial

2011 Harney Lane Zinfandel Old Vine Lizzy James Vineyard – SRP $35

Produced from a vineyard named after Kathy Mettler’s grandchildren, Kirsten Elizabeth and Ian James, this 100% Zinfandel offers lush aromas of raspberry jam, anise and fig compote. Since 1907, the Mettler Family has been farming vineyards on Harney Lane and surrounding areas. To learn more about Harney Lane Winery, please visit their website by clicking here.

My Tasting Note

The wine has 15.9% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

The wine is a saturated ruby red color. The inviting nose has briary berries, scorched earth, raspberries, dried herbs and warm baking spices. The wine has a full body, moderate tannins and decent acidity. The palate has jammy berries, pepper, spice, some earthiness. The finish has nice length with some dark chocolate coming in with dried herbs and earth. (89 pts)

2011 Harney Lane Zinfandel Old Vine Lizzy James Vineyard

2012 St. Amant Winery Zinfandel Old Vines Marian’s Vineyard Lodi – SRP $24

The product of an 8.3-acre block planted on the Mohr-Fry Ranch in 1901, Marian’s Vineyard Zinfandel exhibits ripe berry aromas. A concentrated mid-palate delivers a broad range of rich fruit flavors. The owner of a Stockton Medical Laboratory for nearly 20 years before making a life-changing decision to become a winemaker, Tim Spencer opened St. Amant Winery (named after his wife, Barbara’s, maiden name) in 1990. To learn more about St. Amant Winery, please visit their website.

My Tasting Note

The wine has 15.1% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

The wine is a medium ruby red color. The enticing nose has berries, smoke, tobacco, dried herbs, underbrush and black pepper. This has medium to full body, moderate tannins and decent acidity. The palate is highlighted with jammy, peppery berries and smoke. The finish has very nice length. (88 pts)

2012 St. Amant Winery Zinfandel Old Vines Marian’s Vineyard Lodi

2011 Klinker Brick Bricks & Mortar – SRP $30

Comprised of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petite Sirah and 10% Old Vine Zinfandel, this delicious wine presents aromas of currant and plum, coupled with garden notes of mint and thyme. Steve and Lori Felten – fifth generation winegrape growers in the Lodi region – along with daughter, Farrah, continue the tradition of cultivating Old Vine Zinfandel vineyards that their ancestors planted in the early 1900’s. To learn more about Klinker Brick Winery, please visit the winery’s website.

My Tasting Note

The wine has 15.0% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

The wine is a medium to dark ruby color. The elegant nose has cassis, plum, mint, wild flowers and a hint of leafy herbs. This has medium body, soft to moderate tannins and good acidity. This is rich and elegant on the palate with nice mix of fruit and savory with a pleasing herbal note coming in late. The finish has very good length and is nicely balanced. (90 pts)

2011 Klinker Brick Bricks & Mortar

2010 Mettler Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown – SRP $25

Aged 22 months in French Oak, the Mettler Cabernet exhibits aromas of black cherry, rose petal and tobacco with a suggestion of mineral. The Mettler Family has been growing premium winegrapes in the Lodi region for six generations, their roots in the wine industry dating back to the early 1800’s. The Mettler Family’s inaugural wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon, was released in 2001. To learn more about Mettler Family Vineyards, please visit their website.

This wine is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petite Sirah and 1% Petit Verdot.

My Tasting Note

The wine has 14.9% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with a natural cork.

The wine is a medium to deep ruby color. The intriguing nose has mint, cassis, warm baking spices, minerals and dried flowers. The wine has medium body, soft to moderate tannins and good acidity. There is nice cassis on the palate with mint, minerals and a touch of spicy oak. The finish is fairly long with cassis and mint leading the way. (89 pts)

2010 Mettler Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown

The video of our Live Chat is available, at least for now, by clicking here. The entire tasting lasted a bit over an hour. This is filled with a LOT of great background and information on the region, people, and the wines.

Connect with me

You can follow me on Twitter for more wine info, potential food pairings, and an occasional recipe or two. Be warned, I’m also a sports fan and there are occasional Pittsburgh Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates tweets. I attended the University of South Carolina, so during football season, there will also be some Gamecock posts.

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Cheers!

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Here is a link to a YouTube video of me getting “coal” from Santa for being named the “Nicest Person in Social Media” in 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOvQTeGR3-c

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Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines. I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar. I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com. Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear. There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase. I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but my local store is usually VERY competitive. I generally get case discounts, and since I work there part time, I get a 5% discount. Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges. None of the prices include the sales tax.

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.