TOP

Letters from Lodi

An insightful and objective look at viticulture and winemaking from the Lodi
Appellation and the growers and vintners behind these crafts. Told from the
perspective of multi-award winning wine journalist, Randy Caparoso.

Randy Caparoso
 
January 25, 2025 | Randy Caparoso

Lodi's 2025 Wine & Chocolate Weekend is the opportunity for adventurous wine lovers to experience the region's sumptuous wines in leisurely settings

During a recent Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend, Klinker Bricker owner Steve Felten—almost unbelievably, a fifth generation grape grower (his family farming in Lodi since the 1890s)—personally serving wines and chocolates to an enthusiastic wine lover.

A sensory celebration

Look out, it's that time of year again! The 2025 Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend takes place Saturday/Sunday, February 15-16.

This yearly celebration is by far Lodi wine country's most popular event. Why? Because it gives wine lovers the opportunity to taste a wide range of bottlings grown in a historic region known for its luscious, round yet multifaceted wines, many of them very much "new" in the sense of being innovative or cutting-edge. 

For connoisseurs of the grape who are in it for the pure love of wine, every Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend is an adventure!

Lodi's famous ancient vine Zinfandel—still producing special, sumptuous wines—during winter months.

For all the best reasons

The yearly Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend has been going strong since 1997. Probably because it has been organized by the Lodi grape growers themselves; many of them representing multi-generational families who have been farming in the region for over 50 or even 100 years. 

Proceeds from the yearly event have been going into continuing programs focused on marketing, education, research, and the region's industry leading sustainable viticulture (re Lodi Wine Growers' LODI RULES). The more than 100,000 wine lovers turning out for this regional February fête have helped generate over $2 million to support programs directly benefitting the local grape growing and winemaking community.

When you taste Lodi's sumptuous wines during the yearly Wine & Chocolate Weekend, you also taste history.

The lowdown on the 2025 events:

February 15, 2025 – Saturday Winery Tours

Wine & Chocolate Saturdays see the signature passport style, self-guided event, 11:00 AM-4:00 PM. Yes, there will be lots and lots of chocolates to taste; but even better, the amazing range of sumptuous Lodi grown wines produced by more than 30 participating wineries. 

$75/person, buy tickets here. Must be 21+, and no ticket is required for designated drivers. Find the list of all the adventurous participating wineries to choose from here.

The Lodi Wine & Chocolate Saturdays are a great time for friends and lovers alike.

February 16, 2025 – Sunday Winemakers Toast

Wine & Chocolate Sundays are a fine and leisurely affair taking place at Lodi's luxurious, boutique style Wine & Roses Hotel, 11:00 AM-1:30 PM. The owners or winemakers of over 20 of Lodi's finest brands will be pouring their crystal clear whites, invigoratingly dry rosés and exquisite sparkling wines alongside brunch-themed culinary bites prepared in contemporary farm-to-table fashion by the resort's acclaimed chefs. 

$95/person, buy tickets here (required for all attendees, including designated drivers). Must be 21+. Find the list of outstanding participating wineries here.

Savoring fresh and palate tingling Lodi sparkling rosé during a Sunday Wine & Chocolate festivity at the luxurious Wine & Roses Hotel.

And more photographic memories of past Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekends...

True love makes the world, and Lodi's Wine & Chocolate Weekends, go round.

Learning as much about chocolates as wines at Lodi's m2 Winery.

This "Wine Drinking Team" got their "Freakshow" going during a Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend.

Bro-times, good times, during Lodi's Wine & Chocolate Saturdays.

Memorable moment at Macchia Winery during a Lodi Wine & Chocolate Saturday.

Enjoying Lodi's Wine & Chocolate Weekend with style at Heritage Oak Winery.

Many of Lodi's wineries treat Lodi Wine & Chocolate enthusiasts with live music that make you want to dance.

Nothing like tasting wines directly from the barrel during Lodi's Wine & Chocolate Weekend.

Tasting newly fermented wines from the tank during a Lodi Wine & Chocolate Saturday.

Enjoyiing wine and gourmet brunch during a Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend Sunday.

Tasting seriously great ancient vine Zinfandel at Lodi's St. Amant Winery.

Tasting and hanging out during a Lodi Wine & Chocolate Saturday.

Seriously good times during Lodi's Wine & Chocolate Weekend.

Love is always in the air during Lodi's Wine & Chocolate Weekends.

Passionate lips and wines during Lodi's Wine & Chocolate Weekend.

Absolutely nothing like a Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend.

Comments

Contact

Lodi Wine Visitor Center
2545 West Turner Road Lodi, CA 95242
209.365.0621
Open: Daily 10:00am-5:00pm

Lodi Winegrape Commission
2545 West Turner Road, Lodi, CA 95242
209.367.4727
Open: Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm

Have a question? Complete our contact form.