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Book Appellation Lodi: Hotel website // Expedia // Booking.com This is a little embarrassing to admit, but I first heard of Lodi during a recent hard hat tour of Appellation Healdsburg—a new culinary-focused hotel by Charlie Palmer and his team slated to open later this year. “We have another property opening in Lodi too,” they said, as we walked around the half-finished property in Sonoma. “Lodi?” I thought. “Where’s that?” Turns out, not far from San Francisco. And although it’s less famous than neighboring Sonoma and Napa, Lodi produces more grapes than both regions combined. A lot of it is for massive wineries like Robert Mondavi and Woodbridge, but there are smaller boutique wineries that welcome visitors as well. During our stay, we stopped by Jessie’s Grove (obviously, I had to), which had lovely outdoor space but just-okay wines; Stonum Vineyards, a family- and all-ladies-run winery that nailed it on both vibes and wine (that cheese pairing!); and Bokisch Vineyards, a laid-back tasting room specializing in Spanish varietals. We didn’t have a chance to try any local restaurants, but Guantonio’s Wood Fired came highly recommended by several locals. But the real reason to turn this into a weekend getaway right now? Appellation Lodi, which opened earlier this summer in the former Wine & Roses property, blending the brand’s food-forward philosophy with a relaxed wine country vibe. Highlights for me and Jon were the beautiful gardens, the relaxing spa, fresh garden-inspired cocktails at Americana House, and the sandwiches at Maison Lodi—all served on housemade bread. Order the tri-tip. You won’t regret it.
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