The official arch entrance to Lodi’s business district was built in the Mission Revival-style in 1907 for the Tokay Grape Carnival. MARCH/APRIL 2017 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 157 In downtown Lodi, we noticed that there were several interesting murals on some of the buildings, and we learned that they had been painted in 2006 by a group of letterheads (sign painters) who called themselves Walldogs. The project was led by a local sign artist named Tony Segale, who recognized that Lodi needed to illustrate its history and add some art to a variety of blank walls throughout the city. Two additional murals were added to the original nine a few years ago. While walking to view the murals, we passed the Jeremy Wine Company that produces micro-lots of unusual wines. After tasting a few of them, we asked if they could be purchased in Florida. Owner Jeremy Trettevik said “no,” as his wife Choral chimed in with “We can ship them to you.” By the time we returned home, our wines had arrived. We are still enjoying them. Since Lodi is wine country, we spent the next few hours going to three very unique wineries. The first was Acquiesce, where owner and winemaker Sue Tipton led us through some of her southern Rhone-inspired whites. Rather than overdesigning her wines, she prefers to let the grapes and the land speak for themselves. Sue makes only whites and ages them without oak to keep them crisp. From here, we went to St. Jorge Winery, the centerpiece of a 15-acre estate that is styled after a Tuscan villa. The owners, Vern and Jenise Vierra, served us paella to go with their Portuguese-style reds and whites that Vern first learned to make alongside his father and grandfather. Jenise is a natural hostess with a flair for design and hospitality. Our final stop for the evening was at Oak Farm Vineyards, owned by the Panella family, who live in a historic 1876 Colonial Revival-style home framed by ancient oak trees. The home is located next to a vintage barn and the new tasting room that is in the heart of the almost 70-acre vineyard. Their uniquely designed tasting room rivals the most luxurious ones in Napa and Sonoma. The Panellas, third-generation Lodi farmers, currently grow three white varieties and eight reds that they are making into fine wines. As a wine destination, Lodi, with its more than 450 labels, is well worth adding to your bucket list. However, Lodi has more than just wine. Its restaurants, boutiques, galleries and unique attractions make Lodi a wonderful alternative to its higher-priced and more-crowded neighboring wine areas. Lodi has definitely undergone a transformation from grape supplier to a fine wine destination with its own enviable white and red wines. 9 EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information, call the Lodi Wine and Visitor Center at (209) 365-1195 or go online to visitlodi.com.
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