While many people believe Lodi is new to the wine scene in California, vineyards have flourished in this region of northern San Joaquin County since the 19th century. A prime example of this is Lodi’s Peirano Estate Vineyards, where one family has nurtured vines on a 300-acre estate since 1895, and over the last 13 years, has produced wines under their own label to both critical and commercial success. While the work may be hard, the result is wine that Lance Randolph, 4th generation grower and winemaker, is proud to bear the family name and share with the country.

It all starts with a dream…

Young Giacomo Peirano originally was tempted by the stories of gold and silver in the hills of a far off land called California. Along with two cousins, Giacomo traveled from his native Italy to San Francisco, then to the Gold Country (near what is now Angels Camp), and the three set up camp.

After many hardships and disappointment when spring finally came, one of the cousins stayed in the Angels Camp area, to farm, the other went to the Stockton area, to farm, and young Giacomo went to the Lodi area to, you guessed it, farm. Saving enough money, he was able to bring his bride, Maria, from Italy, and in 1895, the couple bought a large piece of land north of Lodi near the village of Acampo. On this farm they grew all sorts of vegetables orchard crops, but the real prize was the large amount of vineyard land.

This was a large boom time in the grape and wine industry in California, and Giacomo knew that the rich, well-drained soil and climate, with its warm days and cooling breezes in the evening, could yield grapes of unrivaled character. Over the years, the grapes from this vineyard were sought out by the most respected names in the wine industry. It is now one of Giacomo’s great-grandsons, Lance Randolph (Peirano is Lance’s mother’s maiden name) that guides the vineyard. Lance also knew that the grapes from this land were exceptional, so in 1992, began making wine commercially under the Peirano Estate label.

Using his background in business (he has both a BA and MBA); he started modestly the first year, with 541 cases of what has become known as THE Lodi grape – Zinfandel. He figured that if a Zinfandel with Lodi on the label, no matter how good, didn’t sell well, he would have enough to drink and enjoy with family and friends for several years. Fortunately for all of us, the Zinfandel was a hit, with both wine judges and consumers, and production expanded. In just a few years, production was several thousand cases of this wonderful Zinfandel.

Variety is the spice of life, and Lance knew he had some other gems in his vineyard just waiting to be made. In 1995, he added Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon; in 1997, Shiraz, and a second Zin, this one from his younger block of vines, which yields a fruitier, lighter wine; and in 1998, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier. Also in 1998, the old family farmhouse was renovated into a Tasting Room and Gift Shop, as well as a Picnic Grove in the acre or so around the house. This bucolic setting soon became popular as a ‘must see’ attraction in the region.

The wines also gained wider recognition. From just being available in local shops and restaurants, Peirano Estate wines started being distributed in other parts of the nation. First in Illinois and Maryland, these wines, with great fruit flavors, balanced structure and reasonable price, began being sought after by distributors in other states. Today, Peirano Estate wines are in over 20 states, while production has increased in both volume and variety.

In addition to some of the previously mentioned varietals, they now also produce Petite Sirah and Barbera, as well as two blends (one white, one red), each called ‘The Other’, Muscat Canelli, and a white Cabernet called Autumn’s Blush, which have all turned out to be big hits across the nation. In addition, all of their wines are multiple award winners, earning high marks at such prestigious competitions such as the California State Fair, Dallas Morning News Wine Competition, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and Orange County Fair, just to name a few.

Wine writers have also taken notice. For example in 2005, Peirano Estate wines were seen in publications like the New York Times, Dallas Morning News, Wall Street Journal, and Wine Enthusiast, Quarterly Review of Wines and The Wine News magazines. With this kind of consistent praise, it is easy to see why Peirano Estate wines are in such demand.

With hard work and knowledge passed down from one generation to the next, Peirano Estate continues to share their estate-grown wines, at reasonable prices, with an ever-growing audience.

Peirano Estate Winery is located at 21831 N. Highway 99 just north of Lodi, between Peltier Rd. and Acampo Rd. Tasting Hours are Wed. thru Sun. 11-5. For additional information go to peirano.com or call at (209)-369-9463.