by Lodi | Mar 8, 2021 | Blog
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2021. BY RANDY CAPAROSO. What’s In a (Varietal) Name? The term varietal, as the long-departed wine scribe Robert Lawrence Balzer wrote way back in 1948 in his book California’s Best Wines, is actually “an early California...
by Lodi | Feb 26, 2021 | Blog
MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2021. BY STAN GRANT, VITICULTURIST. Growers of annual crops have it comparatively easy. If things don’t work out well one season, in the next season they have an entirely new set of plants and a new opportunity to optimize production. In contrast,...
by Lodi | Feb 22, 2021 | Blog
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021. BY RANDY CAPAROSO. “This holiday [Presidents’ Day] weekend has been super-busy!” proclaimed Frankie Arburua III, the sole proprietor of Lodi’s F Ewe Sheep Company. Arburua is far from the first sheep rancher in Lodi,...
by Lodi | Feb 15, 2021 | Blog
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021. BY STAN GRANT, VITICULTURIST. In winegrape vineyards, variety is among the most important factors affecting economic success. And, after all the time and effort we dedicate to selecting a clone, rootstock, and...
by Lodi | Feb 8, 2021 | Blog
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021. BY GREEN MEDAL AWARD COMMITTEE. California vineyards and wineries are encouraged to apply for the 2021 California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. Applications are now being accepted at greenmedal.org. The California...
by Lodi | Feb 1, 2021 | Blog
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2021. BY SARE. It can be difficult for farmers and ranchers to navigate the wide range of USDA resources and stay up to date with program changes after each Farm Bill. Thanks to the newly updated Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and...
by Lodi | Jan 25, 2021 | Blog
MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021. BY LISA MELINE, VITICULTURE STUDENT AND LWC VOLUNTEER. The first WINTER WEDNESDAY PRUNING SEMINAR brought to you by the Lodi Winegrape Commission (LWC) was held on the afternoon of December 16th at Ring Ranch in Acampo, California. Hosts Kyle...
by Lodi | Jan 18, 2021 | Blog
MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021. BY EDWARD SOUTHWICK, CDFA. Statewide activities for Pest Detection/Emergency Projects Branch in 2020 included a visual survey of host plants near high-risk target locations as well as air cargo flight inspections. ...
by Lodi | Jan 11, 2021 | Blog
JANUARY 11, 2021. BY LODI WINEGRAPE COMMISSION. Please join the Lodi Winegrape Commission on Tuesday, February 2nd for the 69th Annual Lodi Grape Day celebration! Lodi Grape Day is hosted by University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and The Lodi Chamber...
by Lodi | Jan 4, 2021 | Blog
MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2020. BY STAN GRANT, VITICULTURIST. California was home to some of the earliest New World winegrape growing pioneers. Franciscan missionaries led the way when they planted V. vinifera (Mission) vines around 1770. Today, there are more winegrape...
by Lodi | Dec 28, 2020 | Blog
MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2020. BY LODI WINEGRAPE COMMISSION. Most farmers have a trusty canine companion who joyfully rides in the truck, chases gophers, and helps check the grapes for optimal ripeness. We want to hear your stories about these faithful dogs because,...
by Lodi | Dec 21, 2020 | Blog
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020. BY RANDY CAPAROSO. Here in mid-December, the big news out of Lodi wine country is this: the 2019 Klinker Brick Winery Lodi Grenache Blanc ($15) has been rated among the 2020 Wine Spectator Top 100 Sweepstakes! “Each year since...
by Lodi | Dec 14, 2020 | Blog
MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2020. BY STAN GRANT, VITICULTURIST. Texture is a fundamental and familiar soil property. Among winegrape growers, it is common knowledge that sandy or lighter textured soils hold less water and consequently, dry more rapidly than clayey or...
by Lodi | Dec 11, 2020 | Blog
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020. BY WILL FARR, WESTERN WEATHER GROUP. Prior to the .09” of rain that fell on November 17th and 18th at Stockton Metropolitan Airport, you have to go all the way back to May 30th to find the last recorded measurable rainfall (.02”). That’s...
by Lodi | Dec 7, 2020 | Blog
MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020. BY STUART SPENCER, LODI WINEGRAPE COMMISSION. COVID not only upended our lives but upended the wine and grape market in ways no one expected. Prior to the lockdowns that took effect in March, on-premise sales (restaurants, bars, etc.)...