By Nora Heston Tarte
One of the finest places to enjoy the outdoors this summer is at Oak Farm Vineyards, a vineyard and tasting room located on the original DeVries Estate in Lodi where 400+ year old oak trees, extensive lawns, and large patios are punctuated by historical buildings. A 2014-built tasting room—a focal point of the estate—beckons for guests to come and indulge.
Outside, Oak Farm winemakers take advantage of the unique soil and climate conditions in the Lodi AVA to produce handcrafted, small-lot, and single-vineyard varietals. Cabernet sauvignon, malbec, petite sirah, petite bourdeaux, sangiovese, barbera, and zinfandel are all grown on-site, as are white varietals, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, and the Portuguese grape verdelho. Paying special attention to where a grape grows best, the label sources fruit from other locales to create the rest of their line-up. Inside, staff pours a unique assortment of Northern Mediterranean wines, including two newly released 2016 New World International Wine Competition gold-award winners: the 2015 Sauvignon Blanc and Albarino.
In addition to the main tasting room, which offers breathtaking views of the estate’s vineyards, there are two private tasting rooms available. The first features granite countertops, a gas fireplace, rustic boardroom tables, and televisions. The latter, which used to serve as the estate’s main tasting room, has a private wine bar and personal courtyard.
Whether you’re sipping in style under gorgeous shade trees, or sidled up to the bar enjoying a flight, the atmosphere at Oak Farm is always both fun and exciting. Perfect for a casual weekend afternoon, or a wedding extravaganza fit for San Joaquin’s finest.
What to Taste:
The newly released 2015 Sauvignon Blanc is a pure vino made from sustainably grown Mohr Fry grapes. In addition to a refreshing honeydew taste and soft citrus finish, hints of lemon grass, grapefruit, and fresh pear create a clean, inviting, and vibrant wine with subtle grassy notes.
Take a tour:
Private tours grant visitors highlights of the property’s rich 150-year history. While you enjoy a personal host and full wine tasting flight, stroll past the family home, cemetery, barn, and outbuildings, and get a lesson in Lodi wine history. To book, email [email protected].
Join the Club:
Dubbed “Circle of Friends,” Oak Farm’s wine club offers it’s biggest fans deep discounts, complimentary tastings, exclusive invites, and access to limited edition wines. Not to mention, members get recipes from the kitchen for perfect culinary parings as well as quarterly selections of Oak Farm wines. For more information, OakFarmVineyards.com/Wine-Club
Cheers:
Oak Farm Vineyards
23627 N. DeVries Rd.
Lodi, (209) 365-6565
OakFarmVineyards.com