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.

 

[firemanthornman]

Another source of info for lodi grapes is the local craiglist and the Sacramento Home winemakers page. What are you specifically looking for? I live close by the region and buy grapes from that area. I can keep my eyes open for you. BTW you don't need a special permit in CA to buy grapes. Also, Amador is a great region as mentioned above.

 

[GSMChris]

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.

No such license is required. I have bought grapes in both Paso Robles and Carmel Valley from commercial growers without any issues. I do find that growers are generally more receptive when you shop for larger quantities - e.g. a macro bin (which is 1000 pounds plus or minus).

 

[winemaker81]

No such license is required. I have bought grapes in both Paso Robles and Carmel Valley from commercial growers without any issues. I do find that growers are generally more receptive when you shop for larger quantities - e.g. a macro bin (which is 1000 pounds plus or minus).

That's true in the east as well. When I lived in Upstate NY, I purchased from 2 Finger Lakes vineyards that would sell in small quantities, and I knew 2 winery owners who would sell excess juice in 50 gallon barrels.

After moving to NC in the 90's I found a couple of small growers in western NC, but didn't like the quality of the grapes, so I used each only once.

Since 2019 I've been part of a group buy that purchases a collective multi-ton collection of grapes from Lodi (through Musto and Gino Pinto), and last year @VinesnBines sold me small 6+ lugs of her southwestern VA grapes.

Finding home winemaker-sized batches of grapes for sale can be tough. I count my good fortune.

The Durham NC-based group I belong to buys 3+ tons of grapes each fall, which gets us a better price on shipping. Ya'll on the west coast should count YOUR fortune that you're not paying for shipping across the country!

We have folks driving 3+ hours to get to Durham to pick up their grapes. It's worth looking for local winemakers to get macro-bin loads.