Prie Vineyard & Winery — Attraction in Lodi

A Scientist making wine? Is this a non-traditional approach to wine making?

As a local doing work here in Lodi for many years, I get to see many successful businesses and PRIE Winery is one of our successful Winery Gems. The owners, Lisa and John Gash, are the perfect example of the entrepreneurial community spirit I enjoy so much. I have watched them grow for a few years and today had the pleasure of tasting a flight of the 2019 wine offerings.

My takeaway? For the first time I can remember, not a single one of John's wines left that after-taste sharpness on my pallet. All 8 of the tastings, from the "clear as fresh water" 2017 Vermentino (which I bought the most of) to the 2017 Incorrigible (an outstanding blend of estate grapes) to a well crafted 2016 Old Vine Zinfandel (a great and positive surprise to an old Zin guy like me) pay homage to the fantastic supply of wine grapes and talent we have in this area.

The absolute beauty of the Lodi Wine Experience is young winemakers raising the bar of taste, excellence and variety in these smaller boutique wineries. Lisa and John are certainly an important part of this experience. If you have never seen wine-making in action, you need to remember there is "so much hard work" required to make wines this delicious. Johns scientist's description of the wine-making process makes me think his mind must be in every barrel supervising the molecules from start to finish as he works day and night to make Prie Winery even better. And the taste proves it. Magnificent wines designed (lucky for me) for my taste buds.

I say this as I am watching a new vineyard John has planted with a little-known red wine varietal. The view to the East is vast and picturesque. Try the 2017 Mencia for a preview of what is soon coming to Prie Winery. I am excited and think you will be...

Old world style elegant and nuanced wines in Lodi !! I did not know that till I met John and Lisa at Prie this weekend.

They grow/source a number of European grape varietals like Dornfelder (Germany), Teroldego (Italy), Alicante Bouschet (Spain) besides the staples of Lodi area like Syrah, Barbera, Zin. What makes the wines very special is the philosophy of wine making - minimalist. The wines are not bold or jammy. They are subtle, balanced and complex.

John and Lisa are also wonderful and kind human beings who care a lot about the world. I got to know them in a leisurely chat on a warm afternoon. The tasting area is a a calm soothing place, just to have such conversations with friends and family while sipping some vino.

Highly recommend if you love old world...

Discovered these guys at Zinfest this year and they are bottling magic. If you're unfamiliar with them get out there and try their Carignan, made from the grapes of 118 year old vines! Also check out their Old Vine Zinfandel Reserve, barrel aged for 5 months, absolutely delicious! John and Lisa, winemakers/owners, have a bright future ahead of them. While you're there pay special attention to the work that's gone into the details of otherwise simple things like the tasting flight list descriptions, well done John! Looking forward to much more from this winery in the future. Cheers! (special thanks to Phil for...