<table><tr><td valign="top" width="35%">Just a quick note before I hop on a plane to Dallas. Despite the rain yesterday, we ventured over to the Vino Piazza in Lockeford, CA to attend a release party put on by Boitano Family Wines. Lockeford, by the way, is right next to Lodi.
Vino Piazza is always fun. The Old Lockeford Winery has moved along with its archeological museum into larger digs which is kind of neat. And, of course, there are about 12 wineries pouring there.
As to the release party itself, well it was just a lot of fun. Bob Boitano, that's the fellow at the bottom with the wine thief and the barrel, brought about 17 different wines to taste. Outstanding was his '05 "49'er Blend" which is 49% Petite Sirah and 51% Barbera. This was still in the barrel and I will probably buy some futures of this one. My old standby the Santano Beaujolais-style Sangiovese was as good as ever and I was introduced to what Bob has named "Good Ol' Red," another blend.
What's distinctive about Bob's wines is that they are honest, never very oaky, and always seem to betray their Lodi and Amador origins in a wonderful way. (I think his prices are creapin' up, but ...)
Well, they are still going full steam ahead today, 11/12, from noon until 5:00 p.m. There's food and a live band, too. The weather's supposed to be nice. I'd certainly like to drop on in again, but I have to drag my carcass to the airport.
I apologize up front for poor editing due to lack of time.
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