Let’s meet for a couple of cold ones.
We used to say that. But now days we’ll hit one of the nearby wineries.
Not too long ago, I was introduced to Klinker Brick Winery in Lodi from an unlikely source – an old high school friend, Edmond.
He had just retired and heard that I dabbled in wines (of course, he heard correctly).
Located at 15887 Alpine Rd., Klinker Brick is a family-owned winery located in Lodi. The name itself comes from the distinctive bricks used to construct the winery’s first building, which was made by hand in the late 19th century.
Klinker Brick produces a range of premium wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel.
Edmond, who is now my wine buddy – of course, he’s a Klinker Brick Winery club member – turned me on to Old Ghost, which is Klinker Brick’s signature Zinfandel.
Old Ghost earned high ratings.
Wine Enthusiast gave it a rating of 93 points during the past year while the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2024 awarded it with a “Gold.”
Klinker Brick describes Old Ghost as a wine “bursting with acidity and concentrated notes of bright berries and dark chocolate” with “layers of complexity (leading) to a core of medium tannins with a long, richly textured finish.”
While this Old Vine Zin pairs well with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and charcuterie, we’ve found a Classic Popeye Chicken sandwich also does the job. Klinker Brick does offer a variety of cheese, salami, and crackers for purchase. I’m satisfied with the fast-food chicken sandwich to go with my glass of vino.
Lodi is known as home to California’s oldest Zinfandel vines and is regarded as the state’s – and perhaps the world’s – Zin capital.
Credit that for the suitable climate and soil characteristic of the area.
“Sandy loam soils coupled with the hot, cold exchange that graces Lodi from day to night creates a utopic environment to cultivate warm-weather varietals,” said Klinker Brick Winery on its official website (klinkerbrickwinery.com).
Lodi was a grape-growing community from the early 1900s to the late 1980s. Today, it’s a thriving wine-producing region consisting of dozens of wineries.
Steve and Lori Felten, fifth generation grape growers in the region, are owners and operators of Klinker Brick Winery. They’re continuing the tradition of cultivating the “old vine” Zinfandel vineyards that their ancestors planted about a century ago.
The family has roots in Germany, Russia and the Dakotas prior to settling in Lodi. It’s here that they started growing watermelons.
As the years went by, they recognized that the soil and climate were ideal for growing grapes, planting varieties that included Zinfandel, Tokay, Carignane, and Alicante.
Today, the Felten family own and manage 24 individual blocks of “Old Vine” Zin that range in age from 40 to 122 years old.
Meanwhile, my friends and I haven’t limited our local wine excursions to just one place.
Most outings have included stopovers at Jeremy’s – I’ve been a club member there for nearly 10 years – or Bokisch, Oak Farm, Van Ruiten, Michael David, and Stonum, just to name a few.
As for Klinker Brick, the tasting room is charming and staff is friendly.
On spring days, there are two outdoor areas to enjoy the view of the vineyard or the old vine fountain while sharing a glass or bottle. No one under 21 is allowed in the winery but pets are OK.
And don’t forget to pay your respects to ‘Juice,’ the taxidermy mounted on the tasting room wall.
Next to it reads the following: “I’m a longhorn bull. I was raised by loving owners from a young calf until I passed from the old age of 36.
“I’m here for a short time. So, let’s take some pictures and enjoy some library wines together.”
Raise your glass. Here’s to ‘Juice.’
