Cassandra and Dan Durst have made a hobby and their love of the land, wine-making and welcoming spirit into the region’s newest winery. The Dursts – whose last name is appropriately German for thirst- have created a local oasis that embraces the essence of serenity, one glass at a time. The Dursts have focused on crafting wines that are food friendly. “Guests can save our wine for a special night or have a glass every day,” she adds, “these are wines that can be enjoyed every day.” The winery prides themselves in creating products that are all inclusive, setting them apart from the collection of wineries in the expanding region. The newest Lodi winery will be opening its door at the end of August and will host several special events throughout the harvest season, including a wine club and a chance to stop, stay and enjoy. The couple hopes to provide a different type of wine tasting experience. The winery will include a tasting room complete with wine barrels where guests can see all stages of production and learn about the wine-making process.
The couple uses a blend of Lodi appellations and nearby vineyards to craft wines that taste wonderful to everyone, “nobody is left out. There is something for everyone’s taste,” says Cassandra. The selection at Durst Winery will include a variety of favorites, from Cabernets, to Zinfandels, Pinot Noires, Chardonnays and much more. Their specialty wine will include both a red and a wine, titled Amada Mia – Spanish for ‘my beloved’ – and fittingly labeled after the nickname for the Durst home. “When I first looked at the house, I fell madly in love with it,” she adds, “We love her and life that we created here. The Amada Mia wines offer people a taste of the sweet side, just like the house.” The Durst’s first bought the Mediterranean-style house in 1998, and have since worked to make their dream a reality. The property was once home to one of Lodi’s first prohibition houses, built in 1915, making it a natural step in the direction of becoming the winery it is now. “Our home is a welcoming place and we want to make our winery just as welcoming. Opening our hearts, our home and our wine has been a journey,” hence the winery’s slogan “Life is a journey, enjoy it one sip at a time.”
Step into a local paradise for an inviting experience in the family’s historically rich home. The winery is situated in a luscious landscape, sure to take your breath away, with acres of exotic plants collected from the Durst’s travels abroad, from Spanish poppies to Texas wildflowers and English lavenders. Relish the rustic feel and country living in the winery’s gardens as you enjoy the hummingbirds, finches in the courtyard sanctuary, and the wildlife that live amongst the fruits trees, vegetables and flowers. Guests can enjoy a glass of wine as they walk around the serene property and watch the birds soar. The property is full of life of all different sizes – from the couple’s two black labs to the rabbits and wildlife that roam around. The Dursts also open their winery and home to other people’s pets
“We want to be the place where you can take your family and friends to step out of the hectic and crazy life and into a peaceful and calming environment,” says Cassandra, “The house and land is embracing and so is the wine.” The Durst’s, who both grew up in a farming environment, also pride themselves in living a truly sustainable life. And this sustainable way of life reflects in their business. All food grown on the property is organic, and everything used to build the winery is recycled. “When building the tasting rooms, we took everything that the other tasting rooms didn’t use, and would otherwise end up in a landfill,” adds Cassandra. The Dursts collected wood, tile and other re-usable materials, “we are very environmentally conscious and tuned-into living a sustainable life,” she adds.
Guests can also enjoy plenty of activities such as bocce, croquette, badminton or even a picnic under the shade of giant oak trees. ‘We have created an environment where people can come and stay, and just enjoy,” says Cassandra.
For more information and to keep updated on events, visit:
Durst Winery
10173 E. Acampo Road, Acampo
(209) 601-1413
durstwinery.com
[email protected]