Best of San Joaquin 2014 – Wine & Drinks

A tip to the lips of a wonderful libation is just the thing to sweeten a scrumptious San Joaquin afternoon.

BARTENDER

AREZOU SOLEMAN, MARKET TAVERN
236 Lincoln Center, Stockton
(209) 932-8001
markettavernstk.com

Arezou Soleman pours love and passion into everything she does at Market Tavern. From the unique cocktail recipes to the comprehensive beer list, to the inclusion of fresh sea salt at every table, Soleman has an eye for small details. She is an advocate of using fresh products in their innovative drinks at Market Tavern. “Nothing comes from our gun but soda,” she says. She includes freshsqueezed grapefruits, oranges and lemons in cocktails and even handextracted jalapeno-infused agave syrup for the Jalapeno Margarita. “We also take into account what’s seasonal, and I take the time to listen to our customers.

Berry on up to the Bar
WHISKY BARREL SALOON
114 N. Sacramento St.
Lodi, (209) 938-9192

WHISKY BARREL TAVERN
151 W. Alder St., Stockton
www.whiskybarrelsaloon.net

The Huckleberry Martini at Whisky Barrel is a sweet and delicious twist on a martini that virtually deﬁnes the essence of summertime. The unique libation includes Bulleit Rye Whisky, sweet and sour, huckleberry liquor and orange, lovingly shaken to produce a refreshing summer drink. Come discover why huckleberries are prized for the vivid color and sweet juice. Live music and special events are always in vogue at Whisky Barrel. Check the website for a schedule.

WINE TASTING ROOM
HARNEY LANE WINERY
9010 E. Harney Ln
Lodi, (209) 365-1900
harneylane.com

Harney Lane Winery, from intimate food and wine pairing events to the outstanding and knowledgeable staff, anyone visiting the tasting room is guaranteed to enjoy outstanding wines and world class service. This summer, stop in and enjoy the Albarino wine; a Spanish wine that imparts a crisp citrusy ﬂavor or the Lizzie James Old Vine Zinfandel from the 110-yearold vineyard. The Wine Club features release parties and quarterly wines. Wine fans can select their level of involvement in the club and enjoy a 20% discount on all wines. Also, enjoy tapenades, spreads, crackers, salami and cheese, and more on the beautifully manicured grounds.

Sake to Me!
MIKASA ASIAN BISTRO & SUSHI BAR
2610 S. Tracy Blvd.
Tracy, (209) 830-8288
mikasabistro.com

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss at Mikasa Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar, it is the sake sampler. The rice-based spirit is a staple at Mikasa, and if you haven’t discovered sake, here’s your chance! Choose three samples from a selection of 40 sakes. Some varieties are smooth and dry and others are sweet and fruity. Find a tantalizing new libation, and don’t forget to order up some of Mikasa’s famous sushi rolls.

WINE SHOP FOR COOL GIFTS
MILE WINE COMPANY
2113 Paciﬁc Ave.
Stockton, (209) 465-9463
milewinecompany.com

For your next special event, celebration or party, give them something to wine about!Mile Wine Company has something for every wine lover on your list. Sure, you will ﬁnd a great selection of local, Napa and international wines, but look closer for gifts such as do-it-yourself wine blind taste test kits, olive oils, classic Reidel crystal overture glasses, wine racks, gift bags and clever wine holders crafted from vintage license plates. A wide variety of books on everything wine-related will teach, tempt and inspire. If you’re not sure what to give, check in with the sommelier for inspired gift giving advice.

Hey… I’m Walking Here!
Firestone Walker’s 805 Beer
VALLEY BREWING COMPANY
157 W. Adams St., Stockton
(209) 464-2739, valleybrew.com

Sit back, relax and enjoy a light and refreshing Firestone Walker 805 beer. Slightly sweet and with a clean ﬁnish, the brew boasts an all-malt recipe that ﬁts summer perfectly by itself or paired with just about any meal. Just in time for summer, Chef Eric Davis has reimagined the Valley Brewing Company menu with ﬂavorful selections. Also, look for their bi-annual beer pairing dinner that coincides with Beer Week at the end of August.

Wine Social Slushi
CHILL OUT!
Wine Social, 7 N. School St.
Lodi, (209) 224-5740
facebook.com/lodiwinesocial

Remember when you were younger and you’d have an ice cream or shake and then…brain freeze! Take that experience, change it up and enjoy the adult version of brain freeze with the Wine Social Wine Slushi. Available in lime, cosmopolitan and blueberrypomegranate, you can cool off and re-live that pleasant sting of childhood with a twist. Be sure not to miss their small plate selections that are as delicious as they are beautifully presented.

LOCAL WINE EVENT
WINE & CHOCOLATE WEEKEND
FEB. 7-8, 2015
VARIOUS LODI WINERIES
(209) 367-4727
lodiwineandchocolate.com

Wine and chocolate together makes the perfect annual event. Take a winery hopping wine lover’s tour that includes wine and chocolate parings, live music, barrel tastings and cellar tours. With more than 40 wineries participating in the festivities, each stop gives participants the chance to try new wines and perhaps discover some new wineries. The ﬂat fee ticket price is good for both weekend days of the event and can be purchased in advance or at any participating winery. Tickets include a commemorative wine glass, a chocolate treat, wine tasting, and admission to all participating wineries. Designated drivers are complimentary.

Bubbly Breakfast Buzz
AVE ON THE MILE
2333 Paciﬁc Ave.
Stockton, (209) 462-5283
aveonthemile.com

Sunday brunch is a real treat at AVE on the Mile Premier Lounge & Bistro with generous three-course service and bottomless mimosas to keep you happily buzzing along. The bubbly and fruity champagne and orange juice cocktail is always a brunch highlight for the over-21 crowd and a deliciously sophisticated way to start and end a relaxing Sunday. Pair your classy drink with a Dungeness Crab Cake Benedict for a breakfast ﬁt for royalty.

ZINFANDEL
7 DEADLY ZINS, MICHAEL DAVID WINERY
4580 Highway 12
Lodi, (209) 368-7384
michaeldavidwinery.com

With a name like 7 Deadly Zins, you know you’re in for something uniquely delicious. This ﬂagship Zinfandel blends the ﬂavorful grapes of seven different Lodi old vine vineyards into a sinful blend that will tempt and tantalize the taste buds. David and Michael Phillips devised this devilishly clever wine that includes dominant notes of sweet plum and pepper, while the ﬂavors of blueberry, raspberry, cinnamon and black pepper round out the bold and ﬂavorful experience. This decadent wine is a must for any fan of Zinfandel or wine aﬁcionado and is available at the winery or by mail order.

MARTINI
AVE ON THE MILE
2333 Paciﬁc Ave., Stockton
(209) 462-5283, aveonthemile.com

The Ave on the Mile is the place to enjoy quiet ambiance, relax on the patio or on one of the interior coaches and sip to your heart’s content. There is a good reason that The Ave on Mile celebrates Tini Tuesdays (with a $5 featured martini). Don’t miss The Tiffany with passion fruit rum, pineapple juice and whipped cream, all shaken. The Ave has a hint of mandarin vodka, Cointreau and fresh juices. Or, sip The Mile with prestigious Belvedere Vodka and an olive, which symbolizes the Ave on the Mile logo. Don’t miss happy hour 3:33-6:33 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Harness a Hurricane
FRENCH 25
110 N. El Dorado St.
Stockton, (209) 451-0617
french-25.com

Harness a hurricane at French 25 and any day can be just like Mardi Gras. Their proprietary hurricane mix boasts hints of cherry, citrus, passion fruit and pineapple. The “Category One” features Bacardi Light Rum, “Category Three” has Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Amaretto and Myers’s Dark Rum and if you’re brave, the “Category Five” boasts Southern Comfort, Bacardi Light Rum and Myer’s Dark Rum. The “Fleuricane” is made with champagne and Chambord in place of rum.

Spice It Up!
MARKET TAVERN
236 Lincoln Center, Stockton
(209) 932-8001, markettavernstk.com

If it’s time to add a little spice to your life, look no further than the signature Jalapeno Margarita at Market Tavern. Kick it up a notch with hand-squeezed jalapeno-infused agave syrup with Grand Marnier, silver tequila, fresh house-made sweet and sour, fresh lemon and lime juices topped with a fresh jalapeno slice and a smoked sea salt rim. Jalapenos are sourced locally from the Lodi area, and this is one cocktail you won’t soon forget.

PLACE TO MEET FRIENDS AFTER 10 P.M.
THE AVE ON MILE
2333 Paciﬁc Ave.
Stockton, (209) 462-5283
aveonthemile.com

The Ave on the Mile wins this category because of the easy sophistication and chic setting that greets guests in every part of the lounge and bistro. Owner and Stockton native Kevin Hernandez has thought of everything, offering patrons a relaxing, fun and unforgettable experience. From the warm and inviting atmosphere, comfy seating and room to spread out, to the spacious outdoor patio, tantalizing small plates, live entertainment, weekly events and world class customer service, The Ave on the Mile is the “go to” place for friends who want to enjoy each other’s company in a comfortable and classy setting.

WINE & DRINK WINNERS

BEST PLACE TO GRAB A COCKTAIL