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Lodi: With Sacramento due north at 45 miles, Lodi traditionally is an agricultural area devoted to wine grape growing because its proximity and the cooling effect of the Bay and Delta, due west. Intersected by Hwy 99 and I-5, many who travel north and south on these highways may not be aware of the vastness of the agricultural industry available to the public.

Stockton: Historic inland port of the San Joaquin Valley, settled in 1847 by Captain Weber. Directly east of the Gold Fields of 1849, Stockton was quickly developed as the county seat. Thousands of early argonauts passed to the Gold Country through Stockton. University of the Pacific is located here.

Modesto: Agricultural center and gateway to Yosemite and Gold Country. Rapidly growing as a major center, Modesto is near the Oakdale Hershey's Chocolate Factory & Visitors Center. McHenry Mansion and museum is a turn of the century dwelling fully restored and furnished in the period, built in 1883.

Merced: Gateway to Yosemite National Park and location of California Welcome Center, off Hwy 99. The Courthouse Museum houses 8,500 sq ft. of exhibits depicting life in the Great Central Valley and history of early settlers. Castle Air Museum, located in nearby Atwater, displays vintage aircraft from World War II and planes of recent vintage in original appearance. military equipment, uniforms, medals and other memorabilia can be viewed.

Fresno: Agricultural center and gateway to Sequoia National Park. Nearby Shaver and Huntington Lakes offer camping, fishing, sailing and boating. Equestrian trails and pack trips are available in summer and skiing and snowmobiling in the winter.

Visalia: Tulare County Museum is located in a beautifully landscape setting. Mooney Grove Museum is the most complete in the county with historic items. Chinese Cultural Center is located in Tulare and stands guarded by its two TZU-SHIH lions and features ongoing arts and crafts exhibits as well as unique artifacts of China and 12,000 years of culture.

Bakersfield: Kern county seat and southern gateway to Sequoia National Park. A crossroads and country music haven, Bakersfield's community of musicians spans a history from mid-western farmers who came to the Golden State. during the Depression era. kern County Museum & Pioneer Village documents Bakersfield's development with an impressive collection of over fifty restored buildings, dating from the turn of the century.

The Tehachapi Passes are leads across the Sierra Nevada to the Mohave Desert. This was and remains a path of travel for travelers reaching Los Angeles.

Sacramento State Highway 99 Lodi Wine Tour
Starting with California's settlement at Sutter's Fort in 1843, the Discovery of Gold and Gold Rush, Sacramento has established its name on the world stage hosting major a NBA team, 2004 US Olympic Track & Field Trials and California's State Fair. Take the tour of unique wineries in Lodi's Wine Country, waiting to be discovered, just “south of the border.”

SSSShhhhhh?here's a secret that only several thousand people know, Lodi, yes Lodi, California is keeping a well guarded secret. Hundreds upon hundreds of people are flocking to and making plans to visit Lodi and they are not letting other people know. I think it's becasue the boutique wineries they frequent make small amounts of some world-class wines whose availablility is very limited. Pretty selfish?I'd say.

Well now that the cat is out of the bag and after speaking to several of the selfish ones about it, here's why. the Lodi wine tasting area is a great overniter or a day trip in the middle of what some people call "The Loop." If you're headed south from Sacramento you will in about 30 minutes find yourself surrounded by acres and acres of wine grapes. Grapes as far as the eye can see. It is pretty amazing, as is it's history behind winemaking. I am told that the Lodi appelation grows more wine grapes than Napa or Sonoma combined!

Back to "The Loop." You can literally travel through Sacramento and head south on Highway 99 and find so many wine tasting rooms, golf courses, parks and zoos. My interest of course are the wine tasting rooms and ah yes, restaurants. Don't you think the two are like water and air? I wish we had the time here to go on about the countless tasting rooms and restaurants. But I will give you some highlights of what to expect when you journey into what I like to call Sacramento's backyard.

Taking The Loop
One of the first wineries you will arrive upon is Peirano Estate Vineyards. This Lodi classic offers some spectacular wines at affordable prices and be sure to bring along a picnic. Peirano Estate Vineyards is located in the middle of 300 acres of wine grapes and right outside the tasting room you will find a truly charming picnic area that is so relaxing you'll not want to go anywhere else. This is the good part. They are located right off the freeway! Their address: 21831 North Highway 99, Acampo. www.peirano.com. Look for the guy in the red shorts and straw hat. This ltalented and tireless guy is the owner/winemaker. Stop in and say, "hi" to Lance.

Right down Highway 99, due west, is internationally known Woodbridge Winery. This Robert Mondavi owned winery has tours and tasting. The tours begin at 9:30am and 1:30pm daily and the are informative, fun and recommended for Lodi Wine Country touring. Even the kids might learn a thing or two. The wine tasting room has a great gift shop with everything from savory spreads and jams to a great selection of clothing and the cheese selection is small but local dairy farmers stock it well. Larry Pilamier is the Visitor Center Manager and loves to chat about the contribution of Lodi and how wines should be a part of what he calls "gracious living." I really love the Zen approach to Robert Mondavi's principals to making wine a part of your life.

Just down the road and off of Highway 99, you will be in what used to be called the Watermelon Capital of the World?Lodi, California. Did you know that Lodi had the first A&W Rootbeer stand, ever? This iconic Lodi business came complete with roller skating waitresses in those days. Every Thursday night in the summer they still have a "Cruise Night." You've got to check out the memorabilia cases. You will think you are in the middle of the 50's. Just order up some burgers and "hang" for awhile. They are located at 218 East Lodi Avenue, in Lodi. Contact them for more information at 209/368-8548. And, say "hi" to Fonz if you see him.

If you travel west, on Lodi Avenue, you will come to School Street. Make a right and you will find a truly charming brick-paved, shade tree lined and oh-so-clean street. Shoppers beware. From a cozy bakery to anitque stores to jewelry shops and some amazingly wonderful restaurants could make this a huge part of your day. A few recommendations include School Street Bistro. This has some of the best food I've encountered during my career of dining and wine tasting. Their menu changes seasonally, but from crabcakes to desserts this is a "must go to" restaurant. Trisha Akiyoshi and her son Will Owenby have put their heart and culinary souls into this treasure. You may even spot me there, most any day of the week. School St. Bistro is located at 116 North School Street, in Lodi. For information or reservations call 209/333-3950. You've at least have to try the onion rings for the presentation alone!

Here's a tip on staying overnight in Lodi. They have the always reliable Holiday Inn Express, and located, guess where? That's right. Highway 99. Located at 1140 South Cherokee Lane, in Lodi. Marke arrangements by calling 209/334-6422. Lodi's newest is the Comfort Inn, aso located on 118 North Cherokee Lane, Lodi. Call them at 209/367-4848.

For a very special and romantic way to stay in Lodi is to spend a weekend at the Amorosa Inn Bed & Breakfast. the luxurious accommodations are worth the serentiy and relaxation this beautifully appointed inn offers. The proprietoress, Renae Matson has lovingly restored this country home into a destination point. Even people who live in Lodi will come here to restore themselves! I personally think this is the breakfast I hear so much about. Homemade is a key word here. If Renae isn't preparing the gourmet meals for her guests, her daughter Anne is no stranger to the kitchen. this is a fabulous place and you will enjoy every minute of your stay. This accommodation is yours by calling toll-free 866/368-5658 or visito the website: www.amorosainn.com.

One of Lodi appellation's newest wine tasting rooms has a contemporary feel. This Lockeford location is part the ownership of the internationally acclaimed winemaker, Mitch Cosentino. This is the third facility to produce his award winning wines. The home to Cosentino Signature Wineries has a tasting room in Yountville, Highway 29 in Napa Valley. The second, CE2V label, comes from the Pope Valley, an estate north of Napa. The small town of Lockeford is the home to Costentino's Crystal Valley Cellars label. These are wines that are made exclusively from the areas grapes. However, this tasting room sells vintages from all the Cosentino Signature Wineries. The wines tasted in this tasting room will vary from week to week. But you can be sure that there will always be something exciting to bring you back for more. This is another "must go to" winery, offering over 43 varietals, stop by and say, "Salud!" Even though Crystal Valley Cellars is located on Highway 88, getting to it from Highway 99 is a breeze, call 209/759-3888 for the tasting room, open Thursday through Monday from 10am to 6pm.

Central to a tour of Lockeford is a visit to Lockeford Winery, Winery Plaza, is a combined effort of many local wineries, a Tuscan-styled piazza, open to tasting with food and holds a Summer Evening Concert Series. On August 7, the Lodi Zap Festival and Concert will feature Lodi Zinfandels from the neighborhood, an exclusive "in" to Lodi's local flavors. Then, on Saturday, August 21st, there is their VIP Membership Winemaker's BBQ, with many important labels involved. The "Old Country" charm will be in full attendance during the "Summer Evening in Tuscany" with Reno Di Bono & The Italian Accordion Trio starting at 7pm. Be sure to call for directions and information, 800/939-2566.

We are now at the turnaround part of "The Loop" as you we head back north along Highway 99. I hope you have some great memories from the tour, and bring family and friends back to capture the "newest secrets" that are awaiting visitors to the area. Really, as Sacramento's backyard we've only just begun, as we approach Harvest Season, Wine Crush and Barrel Tasting. My alamac is predicting an early harvest with plenty of interesting experiences ahead in the jewel, and perhaps, not so secret Lodi Wine Country.