Lodi

regarding monthly events & regular get-togethers

Our Lodi KOV Wine Club events were the regular monthly focus of our group. The July event was held at Berghold Winery and we were happy to be indoors as it was a scorching hot day. The Berghold tasting room is a sight to behold; full of antiques and displays col‑ lected by Master Knight Joe Berghold over the years. Winemaker Miles Berghold led us through a detailed tasting of their estate wines including several stellar red blends. Between the wonderful wine and the beautiful surroundings, it was a fun afternoon.

August found us at Klinker Brick Winery. Owner Steve Felten regaled the crowd with tales of the history of the winery and the various ups and downs of the wine business. Daughter Farrah (namesake for their Farrah Syrah – try some if you can find it) did her best to keep Steve in control, but that is a challenging assignment. We learned a lot about KB’s national and international distribution and about the challenges of selling wine to the world. Klinker Brick has had much recent success in that regard, including placing in the Wine Spectator Top 100 with their Grenache Blanc.

In September we landed at Woodbridge Uncorked, a local wine and beer establishment that features wines from Lodi KOV member Dr. Jim Grady of Grady Fam‑ ily Vineyards. Grady produces numerous wines, pri‑ marily red, but is distinguished locally by their produc‑ tion of Pinot Noir. Needless to say, Pinot is not a typical Lodi varietal and few growers/winemakers in this area have the nerve to deal with the “heartbreak grape”. Dr. Grady is one of the few, and his wines are not to be missed if you get the chance to try them. This was a really fun and educational session in a unique setting.

After skipping October due to harvest complications, we visited Cheese Central in downtown Lodi in November. Proprietor Cindy Della Monica led us through a fascinating tasting of various cheeses and cured meats, paired with Lodi wines provided by the Chapter. The main takeaway was that the world of cheese is as varied, complex and potentially confusing as the world of wine. Production techniques, milk sources and other regional differences result in a wide range of styles and flavors for cheeses that may have similar basic themes. Or, to put it another way, cheddar styles can be as varied as chardonnay styles!

December is the holiday season and Master Command‑ er Gordon MacKay continued the tradition established by Master Commander Emeritus Ken Levy of hosting the Commander’s Christmas Party. Gordon and Annette welcomed members from the Lodi and Chan‑ cellery Chapters to their home just outside of Lodi. This is always a “bring wine and food to share” event, which ensures that there will be a great variety of Lodi wines and a superb spread of food. The weather cooperated and it really was a wonderful way to end our year of KOV events!

It should also be mentioned that the Lodi Chapter has been busy planning and preparing to host the National Annual Meeting and Delegates Gathering in April. The weekend will kick off with several events in Lodi on Thursday and Friday, then move up to Murphys in the Sierra Foothills for Friday night, Saturday and Sunday events at Ironstone Winery. The renaissance themed Assemblage and dinner to recognize new Supreme Lady Gail Kautz will be an event not to be missed. We hope to see you there!

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Get it????... Shrimp on the Barbi

Cheese Central - Hungry group of cheese tasters

Uncorked Bar with Grady Wines Cheese Central - Cindy explaining cheese of cheese tasters

Berghold Bar and Wines

Farrah Felten-Jolley of Klinker Brick Winery

Steve Felten of Klinker Brick Winery

Article by Gordon MacKay, Master Commander

By Master Commander Gordon MacKay, Lodi Chapter

This is a tale of a little Christmas KOV miracle... ok, it’s not exactly Dickens, but bear with me.

It all started just prior to Christmas, as my better half Annette, son/ski enthusiast Lincoln and I headed up to North Lake Tahoe for a quiet “ski Christmas”. Safely en‑ sconced in our lodgings in Crystal Bay (just over the state line into Nevada), we were prepared with extensive food and wine provisions.

Then came “the storm”. There had been quite a lot of snow in the days leading up to Christmas and then it really started to come down on Christmas Day. A white Christmas indeed! So much snow that I‑80, Highway 50, and various other roads out of the area were closed. All of them. We were marooned.

Now this was not so bad, but at some point we would be required to vacate our cabin and where would we go with all the roads back to Lodi closed? People were sleeping in their vehicles as there were no local accommodations available, if you can believe it. That did not sound the least bit appealing.

The solution to this dilemma highlights the benefits of being part of the KOV brotherhood. As you know, there is a Lake Tahoe Chapter of KOV. I contacted the Lake Tahoe Chapter Commander, Ernie Grossman, who lives in nearby Truckee to tell him our tale of woe and he and his lovely wife Margaret Lewicki immediately offered to put us up until the roads back down the hill opened. We were saved! As soon as the roads to Truckee were open, we were out of the cabin and on our way.

This turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip! We spent a lovely day with Ernie and Margaret, had a succulent rib roast dinner along with some great wines, and enjoyed the splendor of their beautiful home. The next day I‑80 opened and we were able to safely return to Lodi. The entire experience was a great reminder to contact and visit local KOV members when travelling. We all love food, wine and hospitality. Whether giving or receiving, it’s a joy to hang out with KOV people. Snowstorm Illuminated by Snowplow Light