The Ultimate Weekend of Indulgence: Lodi’s 16th Annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend, February 9th & 10th, 2013 featuring Brix Chocolate

Lodi, CA – This year marks the sixteenth occasion of one of Northern California’s favorite Valentine’s Weekend celebrations: Lodi Wines' annual Wine & Chocolate Weekend. Festivities are scheduled for Saturday, February 9th and Sunday, February 10th, from 11am to 4pm each day. Bring someone special to Lodi Wine Country and fall in love with the diversity of handcrafted wines from the Lodi winegrowing region paired with decadent chocolate treats by Brix Chocolate.
 
High-end confectioner, Brix Chocolate (www.brixchocolate.com), is the official chocolate sponsor of this year’s celebration, generously donating the commemorative chocolate treats that event attendees will be receiving. Brix Chocolate has the distinguished privilege of serving as the first chocolate sponsor of Lodi’s Wine & Chocolate Weekend in 16 years.  Brix is the first line of chocolates that are specifically blended to compliment wine, based on the varietal. The primary ingredient of each Brix Chocolate is single origin Ghanaian chocolate, known for its red fruit tones, mixed with the highest quality confectionery chocolate. The result is a blend so pure in flavor that it actually enhances the nuances found in great wines, without confounding the palate.
 
In addition to exceptional wines and chocolate, event attendees to the Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend will have the opportunity to visit over 45 participating wineries over the course of two days and engage in various activities such as wine and chocolate pairings, barrel tastings, live music and winery tours. Over 100 prizes will be awarded to lucky wine and chocolate lovers, including a Lodi Wine Country Getaway and the “Golden Ticket”, which will be hidden in a commemorative chocolate bag.
 
“Lodi’s Wine & Chocolate Weekend is the quintessential occasion for anyone interested in one of the greatest gustatory pleasures: the pairing of wine and chocolate,” said Camron King, Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “Not only does this event offer exceptional wines, but one can experience the passion, heritage and variety of the Lodi wine region.”
 
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.lodiwineandchocolate.com or by calling the Lodi Wine and Visitors Center at 209.365.0621.  Advance tickets cost $45 per person and $55 per person during the event.  Tickets include a commemorative wine glass, a chocolate gift, wine tasting and admission to all participating wineries. Tickets are valid for both Saturday and Sunday and there is no charge for designated drivers.
 
About Lodi Wine Country
Located south of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada, the Lodi wine region features 100,000 acres of vineyards that thrive in the classic Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool evenings.

With more than 60 varieties currently being cultivated, Lodi offers a diverse portfolio of wines. While long known as a superior producer of Zinfandel, including an estimated 2,000 acres of pre-Prohibition own rooted vines, the area also produces award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Chardonnay. More recently, Lodi has begun producing varietals such as Albariño, Tempranillo, Graciano and Vermentino, among many others.

Lodi has been a major winegrape growing region since the 1850’s, and today is farmed by over 750 growers. The region also serves as home to more than 80 boutique wineries specializing in small-lot, handmade wines that have garnered major awards at domestic and international wine competitions.  In addition, Lodi is one of the leading wine regions in sustainable viticulture. The Lodi Winegrape Commission created Lodi Rules, California’s first third-party-certified sustainable winegrowing program, which implements green-farming practices.

For more information about the Lodi wine region, visit www.lodiwine.com.

For media inquiries and interviews, please contact Skye Morgan of Charles Communications Associates at 415|701-9463 or press@charlescomm.com. For additional event information, please contact Jenny Heitman of the Lodi Winegrape Commission at 209|367-0737 or jenny@lodiwine.com.