September 2020 Vol. IV, No. 3 An Exclusive Newsletter for The Vintners Club Members Lodi Vintners Notes

What’s Inside From the Winemaker You Should Have Been There! Member Spotlight Featured Recipe from Our Staff The Rippey Reserve Room The Vintners Club Exclusives Upcoming Events Current Wines

From the Winemaker

Covid-19 has changed our lives, including the industry. For those of you who have experienced symptoms or know someone who has, the virus is all too real. Our Tasting Room is open for tastings on the deck or around the fountain. Our team has worked hard to ensure your safety and enjoyment. August provided us with record setting hot days! This year, like last year, has been a less challenging growing season. Once again, we have a traditional start to the harvest with our first arriving mid- August. This year’s harvest is yielding smaller, more flavorful grapes with juice that is deep in color and a promise of great wines. Not all varietals are picked at the same time. Grapes for sparkling wines are the first to be picked, usually in early August, marking the start of "crush." Next, most of the white grapes make their way from the vineyard to the crush pad. Harvest continues through late October – sometimes early November – for red varietals, as they take a bit longer to reach full maturation. Harvesting of grapes begins later than most other varietals and typically lasts the longest. This year the vines at Lodi Vintners are heavy with fruit that is naturally flavorful. The juice from these grapes holds the promise of memorable, award winning wines. Cheers! 2020 Zinfandel grapes Tyson Rippey on the grounds of Lodi Vintners You Should Have Been There! Covid-19 guidelines have restricted us from holding major events. Your health and safety is our priority. Notification of future events will be posted on Facebook, our webiste, and our Constant Contact emails.

Member Spotlight:

Our spotlight is on all Vintners Club members and their families who are Covid-19 essential workers. Every time you go to work you place at risk your own health and safety to provide needed services for our communities. Thank you and your families for doing what you do.

Featured Wines

2017 Napa Valley Reign Rosé 2018 Napa Valley Reign 2017 Lodi Petite Sirah

Blend: 100% Blend: 100% Merlot Blend: 100% Petite Sirah Appellation: Napa Appellation: Napa Appellation: Lodi Brix: 24.6 Brix: 26.5 Brix: 23.6 Alcohol: 15.1% Alcohol: 15.5% Alcohol: 14.5% pH: 3.65 pH: 3.62 pH: 3.63 Lot: 100 cases Lot: 180 cases Lot: 143 cases Notes: This wine has an Notes: Back by popular Notes: To the eye this wine attractive, soft blush color and demand! Rich and juicy on has noticeable separation of is beautifully bright. On the the palate, the wine’s purple with nice legs. Your nose, there are delicate notes concentrated dark cherry nose is greeted with light of strawberry and rhubarb. and blackcurrant flavors smoke that continues with the The expression of the Carneros are supported by fine first taste at the front and top Appellation is revealed on the tannins and balanced of the mouth. The wine is light palate by its impressive acidity. This leads to a long, on the sides and finish. A true freshness bringing slight minerality and ripe fruitful finish showcasing toasty oak Petite Sirah, it’s a small grape fruit. tones. that make a big wine. Retail Price: $24 Wine Club: $19.20 Retail Price: $45 Wine Club: $36 Retail Price: $25 Wine Club: $20

Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloins with Reign Merlot Reign Merlot and pork tenderloin are a natural food pairing. The added flavor of cooked balsamic vinegar and garlic makes this a perfect September meal. Add your favorite side dish to complete your feast! Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Total Time: 50 minutes Yield: 10 servings Recipe adapted from Rachel Ray. Ingredients • 4 ½ pounds pork tenderloin (2packages with 2 tenderloins per package) • 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (we like using Rippey balsamic vinegar) • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil • 8 cloves garlic, cracked • Salt and pepper to taste • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped Instructions • Preheat oven to 500° (this is not a typo). • Trim silver skin or connective tissue off tenderloins with a very sharp thin knife • Place tenderloins on a rimmed baking pan or cookie sheet. • Coat tenderloins with a few tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, rubbing vinegar into meat. • Drizzle tenderloins with extra-virgin olive oil, just enough to coat. • Cut small slits into meat and disperse chunks of cracked garlic cloves into meat. • Combine coarse salt and pepper with rosemary and thyme and rub meat with blend. • Roast in hot oven for 20 minutes. Remember, the oven is at 500° • Let meat rest, transfer to a carving board, slice and serve with Reign Merlot • Side dish suggestions: roasted new potatoes with lemon and bay leaves, mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, macaroni and cheese, a fresh salad, or polenta.

The Rippey Reserve Room Due to Covid-19 guidelines, we are currently not able to use the Rippey Reserve Room. Once restrictions are lifted, the room is available for birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions, or just relaxing with a glass of wine. This room has a large, spacious table that comfortably sits 10 people, ideal for food and wine pairings. Consider booking a Private Tasting in our Rippey Reserve Room as a special treat for yourself and a few friends. Call us at (209) 368-2019 to make a reservation.

The Vintners Club Exclusives This month members of The Vintners Club have a fantastic $0.05 sale. Buy one bottle of Reign Rosé and purchase a second bottle for $0.05. Yes, only 5 cents will get you a second bottle of delicious Reign Rosé. And no, the bottle in your shipment does not count as your first purchase.

Upcoming Events Check the Lodi Vintners Website and Facebook Page for Upcoming Events.

Current Wine Releases REIGN

Lodi Vintners is the oldest bonded winery in the Lodi AVA.

Rippey Family Vineyards Appellation Retail Wine Club Your Order Brut: Méthode Champenoise NV $25.00 $20.00 100% blanc de blanc 2014 Napa Valley $35.00 $28.00 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $65.00 $52.00 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Lodi $30.00 $24.00 2018 Clarksburg $18.00 $14.40 2017 Petite Sirah Lodi $25.00 $20.00 2017 Petite Sirah Napa Valley $30.00 $24.00 2017 / Blend Lodi $20.00 $16.00 2018 Lodi $20.00 $16.00 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley SOLD OUT NV The Crossing Napa Valley $30.00 $24.00 2017 Zinfandel Lodi $20.00 $16.00

SIP 2018 Rosé California $15.00 $12.00 2018 Moscato California $15.00 $12.00

Reign Wine Company 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir Napa Valley $24.00 $19.20 2018 Merlot Napa Valley $45.00 $36.00

Concrete Wine Company 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Lodi $20.00 $16.00 2015 Reserve Zinfandel Lodi $45.00 $36.00 2015 V2.0 Zinfandel Lodi $20.00 $16.00 Visit us at 3750 East Woodbridge Road, Acampo, CA 95220 WWW.LODIVINTNERS.COM ❖ (209) 368-2019 Reservations Required $10 for a Tasting Flight of 5 wines. Charcuterie boxes are available.