(Published in March 2002 issue of Vine Times.) 

A look inside . . .
Vino Piazza, the Winery Plaza

 

Story & photos by Karyn M. Litchfield.

It won"t be long before Lodi area"s new winery plaza opens its doors permanently to wine aficionados and natural history enthusiasts. 

With more than 12 boutique wineries, a full-service deli, and a collection of world-class fossil and mineral specimens on display, entire families will be able to enjoy themselves in this one-of-a-kind facility.

Construction and renovation continue on the 56-year-old winery that faded away in the late 70s.  Now, after many years of neglect and abuse, the winery"s remaining 60,000-gallon concrete wine tanks are being converted to small wineries, each with their own tasting room.

Pictured right is a glimpse into the Courtyard where you can see Grands Amis" (Good Friends) winery, which is one of Vino Piazza"s newest bonded wineries. With a dash of French influence and close proximity to the deli, it will be hard to miss this charming corner unit.  And when you taste their 2000 Zinfandel, you"ll likely be back!

A stop at the Olde Lockeford Winery is highly recommended for those interested in quality wines at outstanding value. The tasting room, open noon to 5 pm daily, offers a fantastic display of fossils and minerals from around the world including a pair of turtles of 2 million years, and a meteorite that weighs over 75lbs. Wine enthusiasts and rock-hounds alike will enjoy a visit to the "Scale House", which was beautifully remodeled in 1998.

Another must-see is the "Boiler Room", now the bonded premise of Vino con Brio, or "Wine with Spirit". The original boiler, previously used to heat the water for use by the old distillery is now being converted into a tasting room. That"s right, you"ll sample a variety of fine Lodi wines right in the belly of the old boiler!

You"ll feel like you stepped into another era when you enter the tasting room of Cantiga Wineworks. With medieval tapestries and cathedral lighting, the mystical feeling you"ll get will be complimented by the various selections of Monterey and El Dorado area wines.

Also part of the eclectic group of wineries are Bokisch Winery, Borra-Nicholas Wines, Crystal Valley Cellars, dkcellars, Joseph Narcizo Wines, J. Paul Rosilez Winery, Kreig"s Kellar, Mosher Creek Winery, Peters Family Winery, Tahoe Ridge, Terra Bella (soon to be renamed), Watts Family Estate Wines, and last, but certainly not least, Wiens Cellars. Between them, they produce more that 75 unique and quality wines.

Vino Piazza is located at 12470 Locke Road in Lockeford, just 5 miles east of Lodi, and only moments off Highway 88. While the official opening is to be announced, information regarding the project can be obtained by visiting www.vinopiazza.com, or calling (800) 939-2566.