LODI MASTERCLASS COMPETITION WINNERS:
1ST PLACE – MARK GUILLAUDEU
2ND PLACE – ROBIN BLACK
3RD PLACE – CHERON COWAN
4TH PLACE – ALEC MERKT-CAPRILE
5TH PLACE – MELISSA GRAEFF
6TH PLACE – IVONNE NILL
7TH PLACE – ANTHONY FERRARI
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lodi Winegrape Commission Partners with SommFoundation for Masterclass and Scholarship Competition
The Lodi Winegrape Commission will provide a virtual masterclass on the historical winegrowing region of Lodi, California. Participants of the virtual masterclass will have the opportunity to compete for scholarship funds, access to SommFoundation’s SommGeo, and a trip to Lodi in 2021.
Led by award-winning author and speaker, Elaine Chukan Brown, the virtual masterclasses will take place on October 14th and 15th, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM PDT each day. Focusing on innovation and diversity, the masterclass will dive deep into Lodi’s terroir, viticulture and winemaking practices, and the cultural history of its people. Throughout the masterclass, Brown will be joined by various Lodi growers and winemakers who will provide firsthand accounts of their experience in the vineyards and cellars. Among others, guest speakers will include winegrowers Markus Bokisch (Bokisch Ranches Inc. and Bokisch Vineyards), Susan Tipton (Acquiesce Winery), Jeff Perlegos (Stampede Vineyard, Clements Hills AVA) and Jay Fletcher, MS, (SommFoundation Cellar Master).
Registration is open to all wine industry trade members. Following the completion of both masterclasses, registered attendees will be granted a one-time access to an online 20-minute timed test through Friday, October 16th, 11:59pm PDT. The test will cover information from the masterclasses including, but not limited to, Lodi’s wines, history, and terroir. The test will be scored by the most correct answers given in the shortest amount of time. The top three scorers will receive the following general education scholarships, as well as one year’s access to SommFoundation’s SommGeo:
First place: $1,500 plus guaranteed attendance to the 2021 SommFoundation Harvest Enrichment Trip to Lodi, CA
Second place: $1,000
Third place: $500
Winners will be announced live by representatives of both SommFoundation and the Lodi Winegrape Commission on SommFoundation Instagram (@SommFoundation) at a time and date to be determined.
To register for the Lodi Wine masterclass click here.
About the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA)
A historic winegrowing region since the 1850s, Lodi is perfectly situated 40 miles south of Sacramento and 90 miles east of San Francisco. Lodi’s Mediterranean climate and distinct soils allow its growers to cultivate 125 winegrape varieties, making Lodi the most diverse winegrowing region in the United States. The region also serves as home to 85 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.
Lodi is naturally a leader in sustainable viticulture. Created by California farmers and accredited by world-renowned scientists, LODI RULES is America’s original sustainable winegrowing program. Held to a high standard of scientific rigor and excellence, the program emphasizes environmentally and socially responsible practices, while keeping economic feasibility in mind for long-term business success. Today, there are more than 51,000 acres certified throughout California and Israel. For more information about the Lodi AVA or LODI RULES, visit lodiwine.com and lodirules.org.