Wineries re-opening their doors in the greater Modesto region; large events planned
It is hard to believe it has been two years since winery visits and tastings came to a grinding halt.
Much has happened in the wine industry since then. The pandemic changed how wineries interacted with customers and forced them to rethink their means of getting wines into the hands of consumers.
If you were a small property without a presence in supermarkets or wine shops, it was an especially scary time. Fortunately, all indications are that our wine consumption did not go into hiatus during the shutdown. This was the saving grace for medium to large producers who saw restaurant and tasting room sales all but disappear.
Whether it was expanding club benefits, conducting zoom tastings, or creating innovative shipping methods, smaller wineries could not sit on the sidelines and wait for the whole thing to pass.
Two years later, winery tastings are emerging from their slumber. Last summer we saw wineries gradually reopening with varying restrictions in place. Most requirements included limiting the number of guests, specified distance between tasters, an uptick in sanitation and how wines were served.
One of the most notable changes, and one that may become the norm, is the advance reservation requirement imposed by many tasting rooms. Recent wine country visits show wineries find value in requiring reservations. Gone are the party-type crowds at the wine tasting bars. Smaller numbers via a reservation requirement have resulted in a more personal experience for visitors, more club sign ups and bottle sales by the guests. I hear from several customers that they enjoy a more personal experience, and the one-on-one treatment can result in tasting a wider selection of wines. And yes, the price to taste wines has gone up, especially in tourist crazy Napa Valley. But we have terrific wineries with modest tasting fees to enjoy in nearby Lodi and up the road in the Sierra Foothills.
The other uptick in wine tasting is the return of signature wine events in our area. Yes, there might still be some restrictions in place, but it should result in a more personal tasting experience. Here are some coming in the next few weeks. Make your reservations soon. And keep on sipping!
Behind the Cellar Door, March 26-27: Over 40 participating wineries in Amador County will offer special tastings, educational seminars, tasty small bites, music, vineyard tours and barrel sampling. Guests can pre-reserve spots at four different wineries on either day. Take advantage of Andis Winery doing a wine aroma session, Bella Grace Winery conducting a lesson on wine and food flavors and Terre Rouge Wines offering a blind tasting where you guess the varietal and vintage.
For more information and reservations go to www.amadorwine.com and click on “Behind the Cellar Door” under events. Do it soon, as ticket sales end this Monday.
Lodi Wine Festival, April 2: Enjoy wine tasting from more than 40 wineries under one roof. Grand tasting admission includes a wine tasting and a commemorative wine glass. The event takes place from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, located in the Ole Mettler Grape Pavilion at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E. Lockeford St.
For more info go to www.visitstockton.com and click on Lodi Wine Festival.
Calaveras County Spring Wine Weekend, April 23-24: Enjoy two days of spring weekend fun in Calaveras Wine Country.
One- and two-day tickets include a commemorative wineglass, a wristband for special tasting flights at 27 participating tasting rooms and a weekend guide with maps. Advance ticketing is required as this event will sell out. Catch the spring bloom and early bud break in the vineyards. Ticket holders will enjoy vineyard exploration, live music and unique tasting experiences. Show your wristband at local museums and adventure companies to receive special offers sponsored by the Calaveras Visitors Bureau. This fundraising event supports the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance nonprofit organization. Go to www.calaveraswines.org for more details and reservations.
Tom Bender is a wine instructor at Columbia College and wine steward for O’Brien’s Market in Modesto.