Jessie’s Grove Winery – 54
Monday, March 28th, 2005
Yep, I’m finally exploring new frontiers – the wild and wooley land of Lodi which I knew (as many people do) from the Creedance Clearwater Revival lyrics, "…I’m lookin’ for a pot of gold,
Things got bad and things got worse, I guess you know the tune,
Oh Lord, I’m stuck in Lodi again." Well I didn’t get stuck, but I did find many pots of gold. Liquid gold. Wine.
Getting off the freeway, I figured I would head towards the visitor’s center and pick up a map – not really knowing exactly where I was headed. However, on the two-lane road flanked with farm houses and budding vineyards, wineries began to appear and I figured I didn’t need the visitor’s center at all. Throwing caution to the wind, I pulled in to Jessie’s Grove Winery.
At a 116 years old, Jessie’s Grove contains the oldest vines in Lodi. It seems that Jessie’s father, Joseph, arrived in the Lodi area in the 1860s, searching not for vineyard property, but a land "where the oak trees grew the tallest." When Jessie herself inherited the property, she kept 32-acres of oak preserved in memory of her father. The property itself is still very much a ranch-like settlement, with chickens and roosters running around, in front of the tasting room building.
The tasting room is full of charm and history — the entire back wall contains a photo montage of the family’s history. Marie was setting up to pour for the day I arrived and graciously invited me and my friend, Miss Bell, in to taste, even though they didn’t open for an hour. Eager to chat about the summer Blues concerts which take place on the site as well as the quality of the wine, it was quite easy to get entranced at the legacy of the wine and the establisment. Interestingly enough, the wines are all priced in such a way that with tax added in, each bottles rounds up to a even dollar amount.
2003 "Blue Moon," Lodi – A blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier, and Chardonnay produces a clear, straw-colored wine. Bright honeysuckle fruit the clean, peach and apricot flavors. Crisp and clean with a honeyed essence as its spine. $12.07
2002 Chardonnay, Lodi – Buttery and creamy in aroma and flavors, a classic California Chardonnay with tropical fruits and some apple notes. Bright and enticing with even acidity. $17.63
2003 Carignane, Lodi Ancient Vines - A blend of 15% Petite Sirah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and a hint of Syrah accompany this classic Rhone varietal. Thorny brambleberries tease the nose and tingle a bit upon entry that expands to produce a flowerly, raspberry chewiness. A complex, mineral finish in this complex wine. Interesting and a great value for the price. $14.85
2003 "Earth, Zin & Fire," Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi – Hearkening to the concerts held on the grounds, the back label of this bottle is designed to look like a concert ticket and the front label’s postscript is "Front Row Zinfandel." Fruity, fruity aromas of warm figs roasted with holiday baking spices pair with jammy flavors and smoked bacon. This is intensely rich with a heightened, mid-palate that displays a tangy finish. Opulent and rich and another great value wine. $14.85
2001 "Westwind" Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi – Coming from 64-year-old vineyards, this inky, dark purple wine exhibits plummy, anise aromas. Amazingly smooth entry is even and balanced. Marie offers a bite of 70% Scharffen Berger chocolate which, complementing the wine, expands the plummy tones and expanding the spices. A slightly tinny finish does not dimish the quality. $19.49
Jessie’s Grove Winery ~ 1973 W. Turner Road ~ Lodi ~ CA ~ 95242 ~ 209-368-2728