Bellisima wines in Lodi, California

Finding himself with a little free time Koala decided to call in on and have a taste with a winery that had connected with WineWalkabout a few weeks earlier.

The winery and tasting room are located on the the Historic property of The Dodge Estate built in 1866. The Sorelle Winery (Sorelle meaning sisters) is built in the style of this historic house, and makes for a beautiful relaxing setting, with a 'soul' comforting link to the the past. The gardens on the property are immaculately groomed, and only add to the class of the setting. The tasting room has a patio outside, with a lovely water feature and of course those wonderful gardens. It would be just wonderful to sit and enjoy an afternoon with friends and what better way to enjoy that setting than some lovely wine.

Sisters Kim and Melissa Scott and their family open the doors in late 2010. Sorelle, in Italian, translates into sisters. Why the Italian name? Their mother was Italian , and this is also the prompt to focus on Italian varietals.
How appropriate, with the boys off to Italy on an #ItalianAdventure in a few weeks that three lovely Italian style wines were to be offered. Tara greeted Koala and set up the first taste which was a very nice Barbera. Being such a new winery big expectations of the wines Koala did not have. As he took his first taste, you know that noise they make on TV when they back something up. You know that RrrrRrrup, well that noise happened.

The Barbera was delightful. A medium bodied wine with lovely fruit qualities with red cherry as the most prominent fruit note. With some toasty vanilla detected, bright acidity and nice delicate tannins on the finnish. An excellent wine and the take home bottle of the day. Koala rates it a 7 and at **** a great price as well. Next up the 2010 Sangiovese and the Primitivo. Two more wonderful expressions if these varieties. Very impressive wines that are a sheer delight to drink at very good prices.

Also on offer were a Sparking Almond and a mulled wine. Neither of these were tasted, as some driving was necessary.

A welcoming tasting room with a great patio, in a beautiful setting on an awesome property, with some great expressions of these Italian wines at very good prices.
Koala 'Recommends' you go by and check em out and experience their fabulous facility and wine. Don't forget to tell em we sent you!

Happy Taste Adventures,

Cheers,

Kiwi & Koala

Harney Lane, Lodi Ca.

One of the best ways to find a great place to taste wine is to find out where the staff of one winery go to taste at another and buy their wine. While in the Lodi area of California tasting, well wine, what else, I asked one tasting room attendant about where she would go for a good drop if it wasn't where she worked and she recommended Harney Lane.

Never one to hesitate to check out a new tasting room I was off like a bucket of prawns in the sun. Arriving at Harney Lane I  noticed how new the facility looked. Come to discover the tasting room is only a few years old. A nice roomy well laid out tasting room with a nice outside area with a fire pit. The selection of wines to taste are good and definitely worth a stop.

The heritage of Harney Lane goes back to the turn of the century when vines were planted in 1907 along Harney Lane. They have been at this for five generations crafting the vineyards and methods over time to produce some lovely wines. This is validated by loyal following and numerous awards for all their wines.

One of my favorites and the bottle purchase of the visit was the Tempranillo and in writing this discovered it is also well regarded. I give them a 'Recommend' you go have a taste. 

Tempranillo  2007 

GOLD 2010 Grand Harvest Wine Competition

GOLD, Best of Class, 2010 Consumer Wine Awards

So if you find yourself in the Lodi are go on by and check em out and tell em we sent you!

Happy tastin Adventures

WineWalkabout

Kiwi and Koala

Tasting Macchia, Lodi Ca.

While in the Lodi area for business Koala was arm wrestled by his friend / business associate into going wine tasting. You must realize what force must have been used to make this happen. Yeah yeah he mentioned it in passing so off we went! The winery selected by Koala’s friend was Macchia. They are a family owned Winery located at 7099 E. Peltier Road Acampo, Ca 95220 in a neat older feeling building surrounded by trees and gardens.

As we entered we were very warmly greeted by Tonya. As it turns out she knew Koala’s friend quite well and was not specifically addressing all of the warmth at Koala with this welcome (misinterpreted flattery, put ego away). Tonya was friendly and knowledgeable (family member) about all of the wines, the work behind them all and some insights that come from someone on the inside.

Unlike a lot of the area wineries Macchia makes Sangiovese, Barbera, and Nebbiolo as well as the more normal varieties for this area. Taking nothing away from their Zinfandels Koala’s take home for the day was a very nice Barbera. It was very difficult to stay with the one bottle rule. Macchia has a very nice lineup of wines for your drinking pleasure. This is not just Koala’s opinion either as they have received quite a few awards for their wines. Koala suggests that you stop on by and check out what they have to offer, you won’t be disappointed. The tasting room is open Thursday - Monday, from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Tell em Kiwi and Koala sent you!

Happy Tasting Adventures,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala

Cycles Gladiator, Lodi California

 

While on a business trip to the Sacramento area, Koala decided to take a small detour and do a little tasting in the Lodi area. Being short on time he decided to tweet of the adventure and see what happened. A couple of suggestions came in and one of those was Cycles Gladiator. Koala looked up the address and off he went. The location was easy to find and conveniently close to the highway.

 

Driving through the double wide chain link gates Koala saw the cute little tasting room near the back of the lot along side of the production area. With a nice sitting area out front on the deck, it is immediately welcoming. Once inside the tasting room, it’s up to the bar for a series of very drinkable wines.

The facility has been recently remodeled and is a great place to taste good wine and browse their selection of cycling related apparel and gifts. You can also enjoy a picnic in their large picnic area that has two bocce courts for your entertainment. It's a nice spot for a romantic date day or for a larger group to enjoy a gorgeous day in the Lodi Wine Country. There were a couple of wines that Koala wanted but stuck to the one bottle rule and chose the Boneshaker. This is a good example of a full bodied Zin with great aromas and big fruit but does have a nice balance of aroma, fruit and finnish. Koala’s score a solid 6 and****. A very nice tasting experience and if you are in the Lodi area one you should go check out.
Go on do it and tell em Kiwi and Koala sent you.

Tell em Kiwi and Koala sent you!

 

Happy Travel Adventures,

Cheers,

WineWalkabout

Kiwi & Koala