Maybe Napa isn’t your speed. Maybe you want a cheaper, more laid back tasting experience. Or maybe you’re visiting friends in Manteca and decide to take a day to drink some wine and hang out. Whatever your reason, Lodi is well worth a visit and makes for a great time.
Wineries to Visit
- d’Art Wines: d’Art had our favorite wine in the Lodi area. Everything was delicious, and the service was great too. They even gave us some free tasters and chocolate to enjoy with our drinks! We enjoyed our experience so much that we decided to join their wine club. The atmosphere is nothing to write home about, as it has an unfinished warehouse feel, but the wine and service more than made up for any aesthetic shortcomings.
- Klinker Brick Winery: Maybe our favorite experience overall in Lodi was at Klinker. The wine is delicious, the winery itself is really nice, and the service is once again great. You’ll be very tempted to buy a bottle to take home.
- Oak Farm Vineyards: While we didn’t enjoy Oak Farm’s wine quite as much as we did d’Art’s or Klinker’s, it had a beautiful tasting area. We really enjoyed getting to relax on the shaded patio, stare out at the vineyards, and enjoy a glass. They also have a bocce ball court, which is always a plus!
- Viaggio Estate and Winery: The wine here was just alright. We would have been okay skipping Viaggio and trying a different winery, but it did admittedly have a great atmosphere. Their grounds are huge and perfect for events, and they also had some great live music while we were there. Unlike other wineries, they also have a hot food menu. It’s nothing special, but it gets the job done if you’re hungry.
Other Tips & Tricks
- Where to Stay: The Fairfield Inn & Suites in Lodi is a nice, newer hotel with a great central location. While you can’t really walk anywhere, it is a good jumping off point for your drinking adventures.
- Where to Eat: If you still have room in your stomach after all the meat and cheese boards at the wineries, we recommend visiting El Pazcifico Mexican Grill & Cantina. The food was delicious, and the portion sizes were great. We really enjoyed the fajita and enchilada selections. The restaurant is also in central Lodi and easy to access from the wineries you’ll be visiting.
- Getting Around: Drink responsibly and take rideshares or designate a driver. While some tours are available to take you from place to place, things are close enough that you won’t break the bank with an Uber or Lyft.
Happy traveling!
Kitrina & Jordan
