Their mission is to accent Lodi’s heritage plantings – many of them dating back to the late 1800s – through sensible viticulture and minimalist winemaking practices. Native yeast fermentation and the lack of new oak in the aging process help put the focus on Zinfandel’s terroir - on the taste of vineyards rather than varietal character or brand. Read more about them here.
Lodi Native recently held a virtual tasting event on Twitter, which you can research at the hashtag #LodiLive or watch in recorded fashion. Here is one of the wines discussed.
St. Amant Winery 2012 Marian’s Vineyard Zinfandel - Winemaker, Stuart Spencer (St. Amant Winery) - Growers, Jerry and Bruce Fry (Mohr-Fry Ranches)
Ticking 14.5% abv, this is a relative lightweight in Lodi Zin Land. St. Amant's Marian's vineyard entry is tinted ruby red and smells of violets and spices. Perfume comes to mind. On the palate, blackberry flavors get a minty treatment and the spice keeps its hand in play. It would pair well with pork chops, but I had it with a piece of chocolate and it rocked.
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