Forego the steep fees and overcrowded tasting rooms of Napa Valley for an undersung escape to lovely little Lodi.
Nestled in the Central Valley between San Francisco and the Sierra Nevada, Lodi is Wine Country without the ego—a place of old vines and world-class olive oil, open skies, and small- town charm powered by family-run businesses. The freshly rebranded boutique resort Appellation Lodi embraces the region’s historical and modern agricultural abundance.
Just a two-hour drive from San Francisco, the town is a striking summer contrast to the fog and bustle of the Bay Area. Here’s how to get the most out of your visit.
Where to Stay: Appellation Lodi: Wine & Roses Resort and Spa
The patio at Appellation Lodi: Wine & Roses Resort and Spa
(Courtesy of Appellation)
Wine and Roses—a beloved boutique hotel serving the community of Lodi for over a century—was relaunched in late June via a partnership between longtime owners Russ and Kathryn Munson and Appellation Hotels, a brand founded by chef Charlie Palmer and hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberge. It’s the first realization of Appellation’s vision to create a fleet of immersive, community-rooted experiences centered around food, craft, and connection. A second hotel is slated to open in Healdsburg this fall.
The seven-acre property has added culinary gardens, hands-on programming, and signature food and wine options celebrating Lodi’s local makers. The inn’s 66 rooms have all been renovated—including historic inn rooms, tranquil spa rooms, private garden rooms (each with a terrace or patio), and spacious suites (some with fireplaces)—and offer modern decor and airy spaces with light oak furnishings and handcrafted textures.
// 2505 W. Turner Rd., appellationhotels.com
Where to Eat in Lodi
(Courtesy of Appellation Hotels)
Maison Lodi
As part of Appellation’s renovation, Palmer opened two new signature restaurants. The first, Maison Lodi, is a French-inspired bakery and market housed in a contemporary farmhouse shared with the Lodi Wine Visitor Center. The restaurant offers dine-in and take-away options and features hearty breads, delicate pastries, rotisserie-roasted chickens, and artisan sandwiches. It’s the perfect place to savor coffee and a croissant, grab a summer salad, or sip on an aperitif when you return from your daytime adventures. Get a tri-tip sandwich to take back to your room or a pre-packed charcuterie board to enjoy in the gardens. You’ll also find provisions to take home, including estate preserves, tinned and smoked fish, pickled vegetables, and private-label olive oil. // 2505 W. Turner Rd., maisonlodi.com
Americana House
Palmer’s second dining concept, Americana House, is a full-service bar and restaurant with locally sourced seasonal cuisine and craft cocktails like mango-carrot margaritas and apricot whiskey sours. Housed in the historic center of the Towne family estate, the restaurant nods to its deep-seated roots while still making room for the spirit of modern American cooking. The menu showcases Lodi’s seasonal abundance with thoughtfully crafted dishes, including housemade pasta and sustainable seafood. A stone fruit salad laced with rosemary honey captures the essence of summer, while the steak au poivre and frites gives some sophistication to traditional meat and potatoes. The wine list centers on Lodi’s best and also includes selections from across California and around the world. // 2505 W. Turner Rd., Lodi, americanahouselodi.com
The Dancing Fox Winery & Brewery
Downtown, stop in at The Dancing Fox, a family-run winery, bakery, and brewery tucked into a charming historic brick building. Here, estate-grown wines and small-batch beers are served alongside burgers, salads, and wood-fired pizzas. Artisan bread is baked daily in a Spanish-style oven. Grab a patio table in the warm summer sun, and sample an authentic taste of Lodi’s hospitality. // 203 School St., dancingfoxlodi.com
What to Do in Lodi
Lodi Wine & Visitor Center does tastings of more than 200 styles.
(Courtesy of @lodi_wine)
Lodi Wine Visitor Center
If you’re looking to do some wine tasting, make your first stop at the Lodi Wine Visitor Center. Established in 2000 and run by the Lodi Winegrape Commission, they carry more than 200 styles made from locally grown grapes. Though best known for its old-vine zinfandel, the area has more than 125 varietals grown on more than 100,000 acres of land—more than Napa and Sonoma combined. Check out the onsite demonstration vineyard, get a rundown of Lodi’s wine legacy, or taste a selection of offerings. You can also get guidance on which of the 85 boutique tasting rooms to visit. // 2545 West Turner Rd., lodiwine.com
Calivines Mill
In addition to an abundance of wine, Lodi also produces world-class olive oil. Part of Calivirgin and Coldani Olive Ranch, Calivines Mill is an integrated agritourism destination. Nestled in 120 acres of olive orchards and vineyards, the 4,000-square-foot facility showcases cold-pressed olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and small-batch wines. Guests can do seated tastings of estate-grown products like Koroneiki and Arbequina olive oil varietals infused with flavors like basil, blood orange, white truffle, and rosemary. Should you come around mealtime, Calivines offers a selection of small bites including charcuterie, mezze, and calzones to complement your experience. Their casual, family- and pet-friendly patio also has outdoor games and live music on weekends. // 13950 N. Thornton Rd., calivirgin.com
Wine & Roses Spa
Set in lush gardens with trickling streams and hot and cold pools, Appellation’s award-winning Wine & Roses Spa is a hidden gem designed to nourish, calm, and restore. Treatments include vinotherapy, massages, facials, body wraps, and polishes—many with herbal infusions and luxurious add-ons like CBD oil and hot stones. With other amenities including a steam room, meditation garden, plunge pool, and tranquility room to enjoy before or after services, you could easily relax here for half a day or more. // 2505 W. Turner Rd., appellationhotels.com
Where to Get Outside Near Lodi
Kayaking at Lodi Lake
(Courtesy of @visitlodi)
Lodi Lake
If you need a retreat from the summer sun, launch a paddleboard, canoe, kayak, or innertube into the calm waters of Lodi Lake. Located less than a mile from Appellation Lodi, the lake provides ample space for picnicking, lounging, and water sports—with plenty of trees for shade. You’ll also find trails for walking, running, and bike riding, including a nature loop with thoughtful signs describing the local ecosphere. // 1101 W. Turner Rd., lodi.gov
Cosumnes River Preserve
Roughly 15 miles outside Lodi, the Cosumnes River Preserve attracts thousands of migratory birds each year. Sandhill cranes and herons are among the 250 species that can be spotted across the preserve’s wetlands, forests, and agricultural buffer zones. Cosumnes provides a number of brochures to help guide your bird-watching or animal-photographing endeavors on the preserve’s scenic, well-maintained walking trails. // 13501 Franklin Blvd. (Walnut Grove), cosumnes.org
