Victoria Goehring headline-24941 2010-04-16T19:22:01Z 2010-04-16T19:22:01Z <p>Over 25 Lodi vintners will be pouring their wines this Friday, April 16, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the 17th annual Lodi School Street Wine Stroll. Wineries will be showcasing their wines in boutiques and shops throughout the historic downtown Lodi. Stroll down School Street and enjoy live music, appetizers, chef demonstrations and of course great wines!</p> <p>Guests from Sacramento can ride Amtrak roundtrip - save the air ride the train! The train departs Sacramento on Friday at 4:55pm and arrives in Lodi at 5:30pm. The event takes place one block from the train station where guests are given a wine glass and map. Amtrak departs Lodi at either Friday evening at 10:39pm or Saturday morning at 11:34am. Many wine tasting bars and retaurants remain open after the event. Hotels are offering special 'economic recovery' packages for the event. Beginning at $130 per night (double occupancy), package includes two Wine Stroll tickets, one night stay, breakfast and transportation to and from hotel (does not include Amtrak ticket). For details visit the website or call the Lodi Chamber at (209) 367-7840 x 100. Amtrak tickets are $18 roundtrip and information is available at (800) 872-7245.</p> <p>A portion of the proceeds benefit Lodi Adopt-A-Child.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Disclosure:&nbsp; The author is a volunteer for the Lodi Chamber of Commerce</em></p> Victoria Goehring 2010-04-16T19:22:01Z Victoria Goehring headline-23520 2010-03-18T22:32:52Z 2010-03-18T22:32:52Z <p>Guests from Sacramento are able to board Amtrak to the School Street Wine Stroll in downtown Lodi on Friday, April 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.&nbsp; Ride the train and save the air!&nbsp; The Lodi Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 17th annual Wine Stroll with over 26 Lodi wineries pouring in unique shops and boutiques throughout the historic downtown area.&nbsp; Enjoy an evening of live music, chef demonstrations, entertainment and wine.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Southbound San Joaquin Amtrak train departs Sacramento on Friday, April 16, at 4:55 pm and arrives in Lodi at 5:33 pm; which is walking distance (one half block) to downtown Lodi and the Wine Stroll. Guests pick-up their wine glasses and enjoy&nbsp;the charm and hospitality of Lodi&nbsp;. The Amtrak train departs the Lodi train station at 10:39 pm and arrives in Sacramento at 11:30 pm. Many wine tasting&nbsp;bars and restaurants remain open following the event. Overnight guests can also take the train back to Sacramento on Saturday, April 17, at 11:34 am. For Amtrak tickets and details call 800-872-7245.</p> <p>New this year will be live chef demonstrations by local celebrity chefs. Among a few will be Michael Warren with Crush Kitchen &amp; Bar, Julio Camberos with Califas Caf&eacute; &amp; Bistro, and Gary DeGrande from DeGrande&rsquo;s Caf&eacute; &amp; Restaurant.</p> <p>Vintners will also be on hand to pour a myriad of varietals and vintages from the Lodi Appellation. The Lodi wine region boasts 75 wineries, 60 varietals and grows 100,000 acres of wine grapes. Wineries will be showcasing not only the well known varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay, but also many unique varietals such as Verdelho, Carignan and Nebbiolo.<br /> &ldquo;The Wine Stroll is an enjoyable event because of the combined ingredients to showcase Lodi &ndash; fine wines, unique shops, wonderful cuisine, the historic charm of downtown Lodi and great people,&rdquo; says Pat Patrick, President and CEO of the Lodi Chamber of Commerce. <br /> &nbsp;</p> <p>Assisting in the &lsquo;economic recovery,&rsquo; Lodi hotels are offering special discounts for overnight visits. The hotel packages begin at $130 which includes: two Wine Stroll tickets, hotel for one night (double occupancy), transportation to and from hotels, and breakfast. Tickets for the Wine Stroll are $30 in advance or $35 at the event. Designated driver tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the event. To purchase tickets or for additional information call the Lodi Chamber at (209) 367-7840 x 100 or visit www.lodichamber.com. <br /> &nbsp;</p> <p>The Lodi Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, 501 (c) (6) organization dedicated to serving its members, influencing public policy and fostering a climate in which business and industry can operate profitably. The chamber works to encourage and promote positive well-balanced economic growth through business development. Profits from the event are shared between the Chamber and Lodi-Adopt-A-Child, a 501(c)( 3) organization that provides back-to-school clothes and Christmas presents for children who otherwise might not be receiving these gifts and necessities.<br /> &nbsp;</p> Victoria Goehring 2010-03-18T22:32:52Z