Sourcing Lodi grapes

[jpcart]

I've found local message boards for Sonoma and Napa where growers can post available fruit. Have searched around and haven't found anything for Lodi yet -- which is odd when Lodi dumped massive amounts of fruit last year! Anyone know of any boards or forums to connect with Lodi growers? I would think some beautiful old vine fruit is going to be out there looking for a home in a few months. Thanks.

 

[Hazelemere]

contact Mettler Vineyard in Lodi

 

[anthocyanin]

You could periodically check https://www.winebusiness.com/classifieds/grapesbulkwine or similar industry listings. They are primarily intended for wineries, but you can always contact a vineyard and ask if they are open to selling small quantities to home winemakers. The worst they can do is say no

Last year I used Craigslist to find a local vineyard for Pinot Noir grapes where the ad was specifically geared to home winemakers, but this year I contacted a vineyard from an Oregon-specific wine classified list, that is a much closer 20 minute drive away from me, and they were willing to set aside my requested quantities of ~100lb each of Pinot Noir and Riesling.

 

[RylanJacobs]

The regulations are very high in California. If you're purchasing fruit from a commercial vineyard, you may need to get a license in order to do so.

 

[ovjock]

Amador county has a great site for getting grapes. It's just up the hill from Lodi. Let me know if you want the link.