Fun photo album of this past weekend's 2023 Lodi Wine Experience

Lodi wine lovers at the 2023 Lodi Wine Experience in Lodi Lake Park.

The Lodi Wine Experience has come and gone, this past May 19-20, 2023. This, of course, was the yearly event formerly known as Lodi ZinFest, which went on hiatus after 2019 due to public health concerns.

The 2023 celebration at Lodi Lake Park began this past Friday night with a Signature Dinner: a joyful gathering of 500 vintners and wine lovers under two large tents under the stars, sipping the region's finest wines with farm-to-table cuisine. The weather and temperatures were perfect, and everyone danced the night away to the irresistible rhythms of live music.

The Heritage Oak Winery table at the 2023 Lodi Wine Experience Signature Dinner.

The following Saturday was a Grand Tasting under a bright yet soothing, Delta breeze cushioned sun. 44 wineries poured their Lodi-grown wines, while more curious Lodi wine lovers gathered under a Wine Seminar tent to absorb in-depth presentations on old vine viticulture, the enormous range of grapes going into contemporary dry rosés, and the differences between Zinfandels grown on Lodi's east and west sides.

Sorry to miss it? Not to worry, we will be back next year! Meanwhile, a few images give you a flavor of all the fun and edification enjoyed by all of us over the weekend...

Lodi District Grape Growers Association's longtime Executive Director Amy Blagg.

Corti Brothers' iconic Darrell Corti with Tegan Passlacqua of Turley Wine Cellars and Sandilands.

Marchelle's Maura and Greg La Follette (far left and far right) with Acquiesce Winery's Sue and Rod Tipton.

Local journalist and culinary bon vivant Suzanne Ledbetter of Vino Farms' Ledbetter family.

Harney Lane Winery Kyle and Jorja Lerner.

Harney Lane Winery gang.

Philadelphia's "Global Wine Chef" Tony Lawrence.

Maley Bros.'s Todd and Tricia Maley.

Tricia Maley with Klinker Brick Winery's Farrah Felten Jolley.