Beyond the Wine

TWO OF LODI’S FINEST OFFER TASTY BITES ALONGSIDE AWARD-WINNING VINO

 BY SUZANNE LEDBETTER

If you live near Lodi Wine Country, you have undoubtedly spent an hour, or afternoon, at one of the region’s 85 plus wineries. With everything from albariño and cabernet to grenache and zinfandel, the Lodi appellation has a sip for every wine lover. And a few local gems are elevating their game, offering curated bites or hearty offerings for tourists and locals to complement their tasting.

Acquiesce Winery And Vineyards

At Acquiesce Winery, guests have the opportunity to taste at Lodi’s only all-white wine winery specializing in Rhone varieties like grenache blanc, rousanne, viognier, and picpoul blanc. The winery boasts a bounty of best of class awards, and it’s easy to see why. But what truly differentiates Acquiesce from dozens of other local wineries, is their expertly curated bites in tandem with their award-winning wines.

Titled the Elevated Tasting Experience, guests sip and swirl a flight of four wines alongside four beautifully crafted bites complementing their wine counterparts. The accompanying food is like a work of art, adorned with garnishes of fresh herbs and local jams, enriching every sip. A favorite pairing is the 2019 bourboulenc with Devil’s Ruffle, a deviled egg yolk with mayo, mustard, and turmeric. The best part? The experience is only $20 and is free to wine club members. 22353 Tretheway Rd., Acampo

Calivines Winery And Olive Mill

The tasting room at Calivirgin is routinely bustling with happy customers content shopping and sipping with friends. But did you know there is an eclectic and satisfying sampling of food offered alongside their wine tasting experience? With a menu that changes to reflect the seasons, the Calivirgin team has concocted some of the tastiest dishes to try while sipping. Take, for example, the signature pesto popcorn crafted from gourmet basil and garlic olive oils. Seasoned with a dash of coarsely ground sea salt, it’s the perfect accompaniment to the light and crisp sauvignon blanc. We also highly recommend sampling their Taste of Calivirgin, highlighting award-winning garlic olive oil, rosemary olive oil, and Olio Nuevo with custom dipping spices. Served with balsamic vinegar and soft, pillowy puffs of bread, we think it’s a fitting combination of light bites to share. Looking for something heartier, opt for their charcuterie board, seasonal bruschetta, calzone, or delicious hummus plate. 13950 Thornton Rd., Lodi

EATS