Lodi Wine Country travels with friends is pura vida: Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards for Rhône-style wines

Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards is Lodi’s only all white wine winery featuring estate grown Rhône varietals in a sea of Zinfandel grapes. Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA) is most famous for its Zinfandel; however, there are over one hundred grape varieties planted in the Lodi Appellation; so there is something for everyone. Acquiesce is a boutique winery specializing in Rhone-style white and rosé wines.

Let's Acquiesce, Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

Welcome to Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Our Lodi Wine Country Travels Acquiesce

The tasting room is in a  restored 100 year old barn on an 18 acre property surrounded by wine grapes. Susan began planting her estate grapes in 2008 which include Picpoul Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Claire Blanche, Bourboulenc, Viognier and Roussanne.  Acquiesce Winery has garnered numerous Double Gold, Gold and Best of Class awards. YES, Lodi Wine Country travels includes a visit to Acquiesce with friends is pura vida!

Lodi Wine Country's Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards © Spaswinefood

After breakfast at our hotel we headed out for a wine tasting at Acquiesce Winery and Vineyard, Acampo, California.

Acquiesce, Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards, Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

Susan Tipton is the owner and founding winemaker of Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards. These days Christina Lopez is the winemaker and vineyard manager on the Acquiesce team.

We were welcomed with a glass of 2022 Grenache Blanc.

Welcome to Acquiesce, Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

After the welcoming pour of 2022 Grenache Blanc we were off to our table for the wine tasting.

Time to Acquiesce © Spaswinefood

Acquiesce, Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

We loved the Acquiesce wine tasting experience. It was amazing. I would highly recommend booking an appointment for an Acquiesce wine tasting. You will love it!

Loving Acquiesce, Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

Each of the wines we tasted were paired with small bites of food. As we sat around the table we loved getting to know Acquiesce's Rhône-style wines.

Loving Acquiesce © Spaswinefood

Time to Acquiesce © Spaswinefood

Now, let's take a closer look at the wines we tasted.

Loving Acquiesce Wines © Spaswinefood

Besides the 2022 Grenache Blanc the wines included (from left to right):

1. 2023 Ingénue 

2. 2023 Clairette Blanche

3. 2023 Grenache Blanc (yes, I kept the 2022 Grenache Blanc for a side by side tasting of 2022 & 2023)

4. 2022 Sparkling Clairette 

Acquiesce Wine & Food Pairing © Spaswinefood

There were also a few surprise wines at the end of the tasting.

All of us loved the tasting experience at Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards. I would highly recommend it for  for their Rhône-style wines.

Book an Appointment for Tasting Acquiesce Wines  © Spaswinefood

Acquiesce's Tasting Experience © Spaswinefood

Of course during the visit I enjoyed taking in those September vineyard views.

Vineyard at Acquiesce, September 2025 © Spaswinefood

Lodi's Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards for Rhone-style white and rosé wines is a must! Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA) is most famous for its Zinfandel; however, there are over one hundred grape varieties planted in the Lodi Appellation, so there is something for everyone. In case you are wondering, what other wines, than Zinfandel, that you will find in Lodi include: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Petit Sirah, Albariño, Grenache, and more.  Lodi Appellation has seven Sub-Appellations ( Mokelumne River, Clement's Hills, Borden Ranch, Jahant, Sloughhouse, Alt Mesa, and Cosumnes River). For wines made in Rhône style then Acquiesce is a must.

After a most wonderful tasting at Acquiesce off we went for our second winery stop for the day at Michael David Winery. 

Michael David Winery, Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

We ended our second day in Lodi with dinner at Pietro’s Trattoria, one of the most popular spots in Lodi.

Pietro’s Trattoria, Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

More on Lodi Wine Country 

California wine country is home to 139 AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas). Lodi is the largest wine growing region in California (twice the size of Napa Valley!). Lodi is one of the west coast’s most underrated wine regions. Lodi, a source for many grapes added to the blends of Napa and Sonoma wines, is building a reputation as, a must-visit wine region. Given its seven sub-AVA’s, each with unique microclimates and soils, we would get to experience some of Lodi's uniqueness during our wine country adventure.

Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

There is no shortage of possibilities for further Lodi wineries (see link) and activities, just checkout Visit Lodi and Lodi Wine.

Our weekend visit to Lodi Wine Country with friends was priceless! 

Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

For those planning to visit Lodi Wine Country Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards should not be missed.

Lodi Wine Country travels with friends is pura vida! You will fall in love with Lodi’s hospitality, and discover some of its wine gems like, Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards. While my wine country travels takes me to wine regions around the world, it was priceless to have this wine adventure with friends in Lodi. I invite you to join me in my travels in Lodi,  California, and elsewhere in the sharing of these adventures at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood  on  Bluesky  and Facebook. 

CHEERS!!

Sharon

Lodi, California

September 2025

Exploring Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

Lodi Wine Country with Friends © Spaswinefood

During our weekend visit we were able to checkout some of Lodi’s wines. Our first stop was the Lodi Wine Visitor Center.

Lodi Wine Visitors Center © Spaswinefood

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The Wine Visitors Center, 2545 W Turner Rd, Lodi, CA 95242 is a must-visit for wine enthusiasts. It is located on Turner Road, next to Wine & Roses. The center offers a comprehensive introduction to the Lodi Appellation. Visitors can learn about the region's winemaking process and the impact of night breezes from the Sacramento Delta on vine growth. There are over 200 Lodi bottles available, including those from small-batch vintners without their own tasting room. There is no shortage of options to explore from the large collection of Lodi wines. It is also a very inexpensive tasting ($12 for 4), and the wine tasting menu changes weekly. It is nice to hang out there and learn a bit about the different wineries, before heading out to the wineries.

Tasting Lodi Wine Country Wines © Spaswinefood

I would highly recommend a visit to the Wine Visitors Center.

Lodi Wine Country travels with friends is pura vida: Bokisch Vineyards for a taste of Spain

Our Lodi Wine Country adventure took us to Bokisch Vineyards, a family-owned winery specializing in wines produced from Spanish grape varieties. The husband and wife team, Markus and Liz Bokisch, began production in the early 2000’s as tribute to Markus's Spanish heritage. It was their love for Spanish food and wine inspired them to produce domestic Spanish varieties. We were delighted to discover their wines!

Bokisch Vineyards, Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

Bokisch Vineyards is thriving, as Markus and Liz champion Spanish grape varieties, including Graciano, Verdejo, Albariño, and Garnacha. They are pioneers, being among the first to produce a Gran Reserva Tempranillo, and to cultivate and vinify the Catalan varieties Xarel·lo, Macabeo, and Parellada. They released their first Cava, the traditional Catalan sparkling wine, in 2025. During our Bokisch Vineyards visit we did a wine tasting of Spanish varietals, and enjoyed a charcuterie with the wines.

Bokisch Vineyards, September 2025 © Spaswinefood

Bokisch Vineyards Wine Tasting with Cheese & Charcuterie Platter

We choose to explore Bokisch Vineyards Cava and Spanish wines.

Bokisch Vineyards © Spaswinefood

 Bokisch Vineyards farms organically and sustainably in the Clement Hills AVA of Lodi. 

Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

That September afternoon we sat outside in the shade, overlooking the vineyard.

Our wine tasting began with a rose.

Time for Rosé, Bokisch Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Some of the other wines we enjoyed included:

Bokisch Vineyards, Garnacha, Clements Hills, Lodi 2017 

Bokisch Vineyards, Garnacha, Clements Hills, Lodi 2017 © Spaswinefood

Bokisch Vineyards, Monastrell, Sloughhouse, Lodi 2020 

Bokisch Vineyards, Monastrell, Sloughhouse, Lodi 2020 © Spaswinefood

For sure enjoying these wines with friends made it extra special.

Bokisch Vineyards Moments © Spaswinefood

Enjoying the Moments, Bokisch Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Vine-Inspired Moments, Bokisch Vineyards © Spaswinefood

For sure sipping wines around the table with friends made our reunion in Lodi special!

CHEERS! Bokisch Vineyards © Spaswinefood

We were also well treated during our visit.

Excellence Service, Bokisch Vineyards © Spaswinefood

We enjoyed learning about Bokisch wines and appreciated the excellent service. Bokisch Vineyards' goal for its Spanish wines is to reflect the rich winemaking traditions of his (Markus) family's homeland, blending Old World influence with California's unique terroir.

After the wine tasting we checked in at our hotel for the weekend. Next, we were off to dinner at The Gypsy Bistro.

The Gypsy Bistro, Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

The Gypsy Bistro is located in the historic town of Lockeford, California. It is housed inside a former 150,000-gallon concrete wine tank, a remnant of the Old Lockeford Winery. The winery was established in 1946, and served local grape growers until the 1970s.

It was after reading the above description that I made dinner reservations at The Gypsy Bistro. I would highly recommend making a reservation well in advance to avoid disappointment.

The Gypsy Bistro, Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

The Gypsy Bistro, Lodi Wine Country © Spaswinefood

We totally loved our dining experience at The Gypsy Bistro. It was delightful ending to our day in Lodi Wine Country. While Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA) is most famous for its Zinfandel however, there are over one hundred grape varieties planted in the Lodi Appellation, so there is something for everyone. If you have a passion for wines produced from Spanish grape varieties then put Bokisch Vineyards on your list.

Lodi Wine Country travels with friends is pura vida! You will fall in love with Lodi’s hospitality, and discover some of its wine gems. Bokisch Vineyards is the perfect stop for a taste of Spain. While my wine country travels takes me to wine regions around the world, it was priceless to have this wine adventure with friends in Lodi. I invite you to join me in my travels in Lodi, California, and elsewhere in the sharing of these adventures at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood  on  Bluesky  and Facebook. 

CHEERS!!

Sharon

Lodi, California

September 2025

Lodi Wine Country with Friends © Spaswinefood

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For those planning to visit Lodi Wine Country I would highly recommend stopping at the Wine Visitors Center, 2545 W Turner Rd, Lodi, CA 95242. The Lodi Wine Visitor Center is a must-visit for wine enthusiasts. It is located on Turner Road, next to Wine & Roses. The center offers a comprehensive introduction to the Lodi Appellation. Visitors can learn about the region's winemaking process and the impact of night breezes from the Sacramento Delta on vine growth. There are over 200 Lodi bottles available, including those from small-batch vintners without their own tasting room. There is no shortage of options to explore from the large collection of Lodi wines. It is also a very inexpensive tasting ($12 for 4), and the wine tasting menu changes weekly. It is nice to hang out there and learn a bit about the different wineries.

Tasting Lodi Wine Country Wines © Spaswinefood

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End of summer wine explorations on Vancouver Island: 40 Knots, Comox Valley

The end of summer on the idyllic island of Vancouver Island, British Columbia was just perfect for a wine adventure. Over the years, I have visited Vancouver Island a number of times to check out the island's wine vibes. After we explored Vancouver Island wineries near Victoria, we headed to Comox Valley for the Labor Day Weekend. 40 Knots Winery was our Labor Day weekend wine outing. You might ask why continue exploring wineries when I have visited so many already. I not only love a wine adventure to a new winery but also, learning what is special about Comox Valley's 40 Knots Winery.

40 Knots, Comox Valley © Spaswinefood

Welcome to 40 Knots Winery, Comox Valley

40 Knots, one of the larger wineries on Vancouver Island, is located in the Comox Valley near the Salish Sea. The winery was initially owned by a Greek restaurateur, and later a tugboat captain unsuccessfully tried farming before converting the land to vineyards in 2006. The current owners, Brenda and Layne, purchased the property in July 2014, and expanded the vineyard to nearly 20 acres. The winery offers tastings, classes, and more. It is a very welcoming place where you can picnic on the vineyard terrace, patio, or balcony.

The winery’s name, 40 Knots, is an ode to its marine history, and it is also the stall speed of a bush plane. Owner Layne is a pilot and was researching this topic when he happened upon the listing for this winery. The present owners impulsively decided to buy the vineyard, despite having no prior entrepreneurial, or winery experience. Today 40 Knots is a sustainable business, which is committed to limiting waste, using recycle and repurpose bins, and eliminating any  environmental threats or hazards. 

Welcome to 40 Knots Winery © Spaswinefood

Given the success of 40 Knots Winery, they have recently expanded to also producing cider from their on-site apple orchard. 40 Knots also makes a skincare brand called VinoSpa (organic, vegan, cruelty-free, and made with sustainable ingredients) utilizing the signature ingredient, the Pinot Noir grape. This red wine grape contains naturally occurring resveratrol and polyphenols, which are known for its antioxidant properties. 

Wine Time and Explorations at 40 Knots Winery

Whether you’re looking for wine, cider, or a vino-therapy skincare product, 40 Knots is a winery with it all on Vancouver Island.  I came primarily to learn about its wines. They produce sparkling wines, white wines, rosé wines, white and red wines, and sweet wines. We began with a sparkling wines followed by a selection of other wines. Here are some of the wines we tasted:

40 Knots, Soleil Rosé Extra Brut

40 Knots, Soleil Rosé Extra Brut  © Spaswinefood

40 Knots, White Seas White Wine 

40 Knots, White Seas White Wine © Spaswinefood

40 Knots, Gamay 

40 Knots, Gamay © Spaswinefood

40 Knots, Carambolage

40 Knots, Carambolage © Spaswinefood

I was told that you can taste the difference the rich air in the Comox Valley makes in the wine. Based on my limited tasting experience at the winery I do not know if this claim is true. However, it was an enjoyable experience to be introduced to the wines. I was equally excited was to discover some wines that I do not taste often.

After the wine tasting I explored a little. We took a stroll along their interpretive trail.

Interpertive Trail, 40 Knots Winery © Spaswinefood

During our walk we encountered guests enjoying 40 Knots wine throughout this beautiful property. The winery has created perfect wine sipping settings. 

Taking in the Views, 40 Knots Winery © Spaswinefood

Guests Relaxing at 40 Knots Winery © Spaswinefood

Beautiful Spaces, 40 Knots Winery © Spaswinefood

I could not resist checking out the demo vineyard at the front of the property. Their main vineyard is protected by a fence. 

Vineyard, 40 Knots Winery © Spaswinefood

As I walked the property, I learnt a little about its grape growing history. Their 

vineyards include a diverse range of grape varieties, each carefully selected to thrive in our coastal climate. They grow the classic cool-climate varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and unique grapes like Siegerrebe and Schönburger. 

It's all About the Grapes, 40 Knots Winery © Spaswinefood

Home Block Row 4, Schoenberger 2012, 40 Knots Winery © Spaswinefood

Home Block Row 26, Schoenberger 2013, 40 Knots Winery © Spaswinefood

 I managed to spot some Schönburger vines during my walkabout. For example, Home Block Row 4, Schoenberger 2012, and Home Block Row 26, Schoenberger 2013, indicated to me that this grape was planted on the estate in 2012 and 2013. The Schonburger grape, a hybrid grape (crossing of Pirovano 1 and Pinot Noir), originated Germany in 1979. It was created as a disease-resistant and cold-hardy variety. The result was a light red (almost pink), thick-skinned grape with low acidity. It was used to make light wines with floral aromas and a small amount of residual sweetness. While the grape originated in Germany, today it is more widely cultivated in England where it is use to make sparkling and still wines. It is still grown in Rheinhessen Pfalz, and Baden regions, Germany to make light wines with an off-dry style. It is also grown in western Oregon, Washington state, Canada and Tasmania where the wine typically has more body, is supple, and is vinified more often into a white wine than a light red.

I also spotted some Pinot Gris vines.  North Block Row 2 Pinot Gris 2012 again indicted to me it was planted on the estate in 2012. Pinot Gris (aka Pinot Grigio), a pinkish grape mutation of Pinot Noir, is famous for zesty white wines however, it can also create fuller-bodied white wines, and be used for rosé. Northern Italy, Alsace, Oregon, and Germany are where it is widely cultivated.

North Block Row Pinot Gris 2012, 40 Knots Winery © Spaswinefood

Comox Valley Wineries, Vancouver Island 

If you have heard of British Columbia wines, it is likely the Okanagan Valley, the region that put the Canadian province on the map,  It is to British Columbia what Napa Valley is to California, but it is not the only wine region in BC. Today, winelovers can explore the unique terroir and award-winning wines on Vancouver Island. Winemaking began here in the 1920s, with fruit wine made from local berries, a traditional that endures however, not only fruit wine but honey wine (mead), still wine, and sparkling wine. It the1980's a provincial government research project, identified grape varietals that could thrive in this maritime climate (mostly hardy hybrid grapes). Today there are around 30 wineries, from the Comox Valley on the northeast coast down to the southern tip. Most are boutique-sized estates with grapes grown and wine made on site. Most are also family-run enterprises, offering tours and tastings only seasonally (June to September). For further info see Comox Valley wineries and distilliers.

Comox Valley, Vancouver Island © Spaswinefood 

Just in case you may wonder where Vancouver Island wineries fit within Canada’s viticultural picture. In this case Canada has two appellations, namely Ontario and British Columbia. British Columbia's appellation has four "designated viticultural areas" (DVA's). These DVA's include Okanagan Valley, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Similkameen Valley. Both provinces participate in a Vitners Quality Allicance (VQA), an appellation of origin that is modeled after the European system.  In this case a Vancouver Island VQA would certify a wine is from this region and meets the quality standards. 

Comox, Comox Valley © Spaswinefood

Getting to Comox Valley, Vancouver Island

A 90-minute ferry ride from the mainland, or a 50-minute seaplane flight from Seattle, and you’ll find yourself on Vancouver Island. Known for outdoor adventure and whale-watching, the island offers so much to explore. We came for the wines, beginning our journey in the southern part of the island, near the province’s capital city of Victoria, and make our way north to the Comox Valley. It was here we had a most delightful wine adventure at 40 Knots winery.

40 Knots

40 Knots is the perfect place to kick-off a Comox Valley wine adventure! I invite you to join me in my travels in British Columbia and elsewhere in the sharing of these wine adventures at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood on Bluesky  and Facebook. 

CHEERS!!

Sharon

Comox Valley, Vancouver Island

British Columbia

© Spaswinefood

40 Knotts Winery © Spaswinefood

40 Knotts Winery © Spaswinefood

 Salish Sea, Comox © Spaswinefood

 Day's End, Salish Sea, Comox © Spaswinefood

Comox Valley, Vancouver Island © Spaswinefood 

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