| Lodi: Renaissance and Revitalization |
| Written by Eric Brown | ||||
| Saturday, 21 June 2008 01:24 | ||||
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July 19, 2007
This small town, once known for growing watermelon and Tokay grapes, is on the fast track to generating a vibrant downtown and establishing its own cultural renaissance. Unique wine tasting rooms, innovative architecture, and hip restaurants blend with quaint, rustic qualities in Lodi’s downtown – working together to transform Lodi’s image as a small town into a weekend getaway destination. Enter Vanessa Foreman, manager of the Cellar Door, Lodi’s newest tasting gallery. This multi-brand concept features three of the region’s best-known wineries: Jessie’s Grove Winery, Michael David Winery, and Van Ruiten Family Winery. Cellar Door is the first of its kind in downtown Lodi, pouring selections from three different wineries and promoting an entirely different experience than typical tasting rooms offer. “We’re hoping to be a destination point before and after dinner,” Foreman said. “You can enjoy tasting, purchase a glass or a bottle of wine, and relax and enjoy yourself.” The décor includes tables, chairs, and sofas allowing customers to take their time sipping local wines. “We want the tasting room visitor to savor the experience,” said Foreman. In the near future the tasting room will also offer different cheeses and small plates to pair with their wine selections. Unlike traditional tasting rooms, this one remains open into the evening hours, not shutting its doors until 9 pm Thursday through Saturday. The Cellar Door is both spacious and comfortable. According to Foreman, builders tried to capitalize on the traditional brick in the building, giving the room an “old Lodi” look while integrating modern architectural elements. “We’re seeing new approaches to business and tourism emerge in Lodi. It has been rewarding to watch Lodi transform into a delightful place to visit,” said Nancy Beckman, Executive Director of the Lodi Conference and Visitor’s Bureau. Just down the street from the Cellar Door is Grands Amis Winery, which opened the first downtown tasting room last year. Another winery plans to open a tasting room downtown later this year. Foreman thinks the businesses will complement each other and encourage customers to visit the other tasting rooms in the area. “Lodi has always been charming and quaint, but it’s maturing,” Foreman said. “It’s keeping its country charm, while embracing new ideas and setting itself apart as a wine country destination.” Lodi may be on the verge of becoming an art destination, too. In addition to a fine art gallery and several public art pieces, the city is the site for nine outstanding murals, painted last May in the course of four days. Tony Segale, a Lodi native and gold leaf sign painter, organized the mural project. The murals were painted by a mural designing group known as the Walldogs, a vintage term used for ad painters in the 1920s. Lodi is home to the only Walldog project west of the Rocky Mountains. The murals portray local flavor and Lodi history.
“We were looking for eight or nine walls that were highly visible and close to downtown,” said Segale. At the center of all nine murals is the corner of Pine and Sacramento streets, also the site of Lodi’s first business. According to Segale, this is the spot from which Lodi grew. From that corner, visitors and residents can meander through downtown and see all of the murals on one short walk. Each mural depicts a historically significant Lodi event or image. One hundred different artists from across the nation, worked on the murals. “The murals give people something to look at and learn from. They really tell Lodi’s story,” he said. The project was funded through private donations, and Segale recalls the community wide effort. Local businesses and residents donated money, time, food, and watched eagerly as the murals went up in May 2006. Segale plans to make the Walldog murals an ongoing project and would like to add one to two murals per year. “The murals create an ambiance. Wine tasting with a little art around town,” he said. The murals have taken on a life of their own, however, said Segale. With their success, the Lodi Arts and Public Places Funds may be willing to provide funding for additional mural projects. Expect more murals to color the walls of Lodi with the dynamic vision of Segale and the enthusiasm of Lodi residents to support him. “I never thought murals would draw people in, but people read about them and want to come to Lodi just to see them,” said Segale. “Then they come here and discover what else Lodi has to offer.” And Lodi does offer more than art and wine, according to Jacqui Bazzaroni, Executive Project Manager of the Old Arch Brewing Company. This locally owned restaurant offers a modern yet warm atmosphere where visitors can relax after a day of walking downtown. However, Old Arch Brewery offers more than beer and pub grub. While they do brew some of their own beer, the old arch seeks to surpass the typical brewery experience. Visitors to the restaurant will find the menu topped with items such as braised Kobe beef short ribs served Osso Bucco style, garlic and rosemary roasted quail and hazel nut crusted sea bass. “We serve contemporary American cuisine and use locally-grown organic products when we can,” said Brazonni. “These projects and businesses really embody all that the new image of Lodi has to offer,” Beckman said of the downtown renaissance. “They are leaders in the revival of downtown Lodi. There’s a lot of enthusiasm in the air and I look forward to visitors coming to Lodi and falling in love with our downtown.” Wineries are thriving, new restaurants are opening, and the idea of Lodi as a cultural destination is becoming a reality. Lodi Quick Facts:
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