This was definitely a crowd pleaser and everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time. People were sharing their favorite concoctions with those sitting near them. Next to me was a young lady by the name of Dayna Hamilton who seemed to prefer a little more of a blend of three of the wines where I was more of a purist, preferring the Petite Sirah with just a bit of the oak aged Zinfandel. It was quite an enjoyable way to spend a half hour or so.
Then it was on to the real party; at the far end of the grounds was the main stage where a band was playing. By this time in the afternoon it was really starting to rock and after a day of tasting wine, eating, and in general just having a great time, a large crowd of people had made their way over to the dance area and were cutting loose. It was a pretty diverse range of people from various age groups, all seeming to enjoy the day and the music.
As much as we would have liked to have stayed the two more hours until closing, it was time to leave. Interestingly, at 5:00 in the evening there were almost as many people coming to the Fest as were leaving, leading me to believe the party was just beginning.
Even though the crowds during the day were fairly large, we never waited in a line more than a few minutes and the people were friendly. This was a group out to have a good time and no one seemed to take themselves too seriously. I especially would recommend this to anyone with a passion for that great California grape, Zinfandel, and with a desire to understand how the Lodi version is different from any from any of the other Zinfandel wine regions.
There certainly were examples of the best to be found in the Lodi area served by the people who know it best.
So if you are looking for a wine festival that is just about good wines, good food and a good time with people who know how to throw a party, this may be the one for you to attend next year. You won't be disappointed!
