Flavors of the vine
While the winery venture may be new, the Natsis family has a long tradition of hospitality as well as serving quality to the public. Long time owners of restaurants in San Jose, as well as the popular Omega Restaurant in Lodi, the family first made wine commercially in 2002. The Tasting Room opened in April of 2004, and already Omega has become a popular stop for locals and tourists alike. Having wine at the Natsis family table, as well as in their restaurants, is a natural part of dining. The wines the Natsis family produces at Omega show a wide range of flavors from the grapes. Whether white or red, the family never forgets the basic principle that wine is meant to be enjoyed with a good meal along with friends and family. Just as in great cooking, quality winemaking requires balance between the flavors in the grape and the judicious amount of guidance from the winemaking team. The wines draw on grapes from the family’s 85-acre estate for Omega’s Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot, as well as a full-bodied red blend, while selecting high quality Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc from Mendocino and Clarksburg, respectively. Father Frank and son George, along with consulting winemaker Aaron Mosely, gently guide the fruit along its transformation into well balanced, mouth-filling wines that truly reflect an expression of a time and place where the grapes came from. Most importantly, they manage to do all this for $8-12 a bottle (depending on the wine) – a very reasonable price for wines of this quality and enjoyment.

Come on in and join us
The wines at Omega are the main reason to visit, but the hospitality the Natsis family provides is the reason to stay a while, and come back often. As George explained to me, they are creating an experience just as if you were visiting family – warm, inviting, and relaxing. They want people to feel right at home. By producing wines that have an appeal to a wide range of palates offers more people the chance to enjoy themselves. To me, it is like going home, knowing that the fridge and pantry always has some wonderful surprises as well as old favorites just waiting for me. Besides the current offerings, they will be adding other wines, such as Zinfandel, Petite Syrah and Shiraz, in the months and years to come. The family’s background in the restaurant business also lends for some wonderful food and wine pairings. The web site features family recipes, paired with some of Omega’s wonderful wines, so anyone can create a great family gathering experience.
While production currently is around 2,000 cases, the Natsis family would like to increase production slowly, while still meeting growing demand for their wines. Working together as a family is important for them, as is sharing the family’s love of people and treating them like one of their own in the Tasting Room. Future plans also include a picnic area, which will only enhance the familial feeling one gets when visiting. So, if you are looking for one of the growing number of “must visit” wineries in Lodi, make sure to stop at Omega Vineyards & Winery, where you will soon become one of the family.

Omega Vineyards & Winery is located at 13731 North Highway 88, just north of Harney Lane, east of the city of Lodi, and is open Thursday – Sunday from 10am to 6pm. You can contact Frank, George or Jim Natsis at the family winery at 209-367-1910, or through their website at www.omegavineyardsandwinery.com.