I recently had the great pleasure of meeting Joe & Kay Berghold, vibrant individuals who demonstrate the joy obtained by pursuing one’s passion and vision for a project. The Berghold’s have succeeded in combining their lifelong passions of architecture, antiques, art collecting and fine wines by constructing the fabulous Berghold Victorian Winery and Vineyards located in Lodi, California.

This winery features a California Victorian Bracketed Barn that as Joe explained to me, harks back to the later part of the 19th century, when the California wine industry had its first golden age. This structure also offers you the sense of the strong agricultural background of this important Winegrape growing region.

Approaching the winery one of the first visual effects to enjoy is viewing some of the 1,400 rose bushes that grace the property. Also, some 60 mature olive trees add to the old world look and spirit of the property.

The Tasting Room experience begins as you pass through a set of 10-foot high, cherry wood doors that date from 1890. Immediately you feel the history of the Victorian era pieces that abound. Joe acquired his antique education from his Father, Joseph who was an antique dealer specializing in furniture from eastern Pennsylvania. As you peruse the many pieces I suggest you make a point of checking out the many armoires on display. Pay close attention to the adaptation of these armoires to temperature-controlled wine storage units. They are marvelous. (These are available for purchase).

One of Joe’s favorite treasures is the tasting bar, a 26 foot carved mahogany Eastlake bar, which originally adorned a Pennsylvania brothel. Today, the bar serves wine enthusiasts from the world over leaving an indelible memory of their visit. Also in the Tasting Room you will discover other items such as an 1890 chandelier from the Paramount Theater in New York, and a 1918 Charles Steiff concert grand piano, which fills the grand room with sound, whether being played by human hands or by the programmable electronic “brain” that is also connected.

In 1986, the Berghold’s purchased their first vineyard in Lodi. The family took great care to select the proper varietals and synchronized them to the land. Their attention to detail is just a small example of the care taken to achieve maximum flavor concentration in the fruit. In 1999, they began producing wines and slowly building their reputation. The wine experience led to the building of the winery and Tasting Room facility that opened in 2003. The family’s goal is to produce small lots of handcrafted wines that reflect the character of their vineyards. It is important to note that because they are wine growers they do sell their fruit to other wineries but maintain their small lot vineyard parcels for their custom estate wines.

The Berghold’s son, Miles is the Winemaker. Miles armed with a Masters degree from Fresno State and a receptive palate has created a number of stellar wines from varietals like Viognier, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, a Cab-Syrah blend, as well as a late harvest Viognier. Most of the single varietals are 100% and are Estate grown as well. Price point on the aforementioned wines runs from $14.99 to $45.00. Miles latest creations are “Foot Stomp” an Estate Zinfandel created with an elegant style liken to a fine Pinot Noir and a Petite Syrah that finishes with hints of plum & currant.

It is Miles desire to as he said, “express the vineyard as much as possible”. “Each varietal has its own unique properties and you have to handle the fruit with care using a number of different procedures to allow it to develop its best characteristics,” declared Miles.

Berghold wines are made following three basic rules.

1. We are blessed with great fruit, we crop 5 to 5 ½ ton to achieve a high degree of flavor concentration.
2. All of our wines are barrel aged, no micro-oxygenation, and no oak staves, none of the quick inexpensive ways to speed the aging process.
3. Release of the wine is timed to the development of the wine itself.

With all the attention to detail, from the grounds to the facility to the wines themselves, you quickly understand why this truly elegant spot is a must see in the Lodi Appellation. The Berghold family invites everyone to share in this Victorian elegance over a sample of wine and good conversation, and partake in their passions.

Visit Berghold Vineyards & Winery for a wonderful selection of unique gifts and wines. The tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 17343 N. Cherry Road, Lodi. 209.333.9291. Call for directions or visit www.bergholdvineyards.com.

Charge for tasting $5.00 but when you purchase wine the amount will be deducted from your purchase.