LODI —The Bokisch Vineyards team’s passion for making great wines was recognized at the 2015 California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition.
The Bokisch 2012 Graciano won the Best of California award in the Other Red category. The Bokisch 2014 Verdejo won the Best of Class of Region in the Other White category.
The California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, which began in 1855, is one of the most esteemed competitions in the United States. It is the oldest in the state of California and evaluates only California wines, rare to wine competitions. It divides California into 11 historical wine regions and recognizes the best wines of each. It is the only competition to designate best varietals and styles in California.
Bokisch Vineyards also received awards for their 2012 Tempranillo and 2014 Albariño.
Tasting notes
uGraciano — Dark as night with deep purple-red hues, this Graciano is tremendous. Graciano is thought to be the oldest variety commercially grown in Spain today. Its origins predate the arrival of the Romans, when Iberian tribes pressed and fermented their lovely Graciano juice in the old terraced hillside vineyards of the Rioja Alavesa. Complex aromas of dark chocolate, carob, ripe figs and blueberry pie entice the nose with a delicate ending of violet notes. It has soft silky smooth tannins and is full bodied in the mouth with a powerful long finish.
uVerdejo — This Verdejo is light straw in color with complex aromas of butterscotch, spring almonds, candied orange peel and hints of banana and spring almonds. It is medium bodied with bright acidity and a long finish. Gorgeous flavors of tangerine, white peaches and green apricots pair beautifully with crab, ceviche and tropical fruit salad.
You can taste the wines at the Cellar Door, 21 N. School Street, Lodi, in the restauarnt’s tatsing room that is open Tiuesday through Thruday from 1 to 9 p.,m., Friday 1 to 11 p.m., Saturday 1 to 9 p;.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Other area wines can also be tasted at the Cellar Door.
The winert will beb opening theor own tatsingr oom thios fall at 18921 Atkins Road in Lodi.
Markus and Liz Bokisch have a love of Spain due to Markus’s family heritage. Markus spent many a childhood summer watching his water glass go from a light shade of pink to eventually a dark red as the ratio of wine to water matched his age. After graduating from UC Davis, Markus cut his teeth in the wine industry at Joseph Phelps Vineyards as their viticulturist from 1989 to 1992. It wasn’t long before the lure of Spain enticed the newlyweds to move to Catalonia where they gained their inspiration for growing and producing Spanish varietal wines in California.
Soon after their return to the Napa Valley, they purchased their first piece of vineyard land in the Clements Hills of Lodi in 1995. Why Lodi? Markus had become familiar with Lodi during his years at Joseph Phelps when he was scouting old vine Rhone varietals such as Carignane, Mourvedre and Grenache.
In 1998 they moved to Lodi and in 1999 they planted their first Spanish Varietal block of Albarino, Tempranillo and Graciano. They have continued experimenting with new Iberian varieties and their portfolio of wines now also includes Garnacha Blanca, Garnacha Tinta and Monastrell. Their winery has a total case production of 2,000. They have started a unique wine club called “Salut!” focusing on tasting Spanish foods paired with their Spanish wines. Markus and Liz are dedicated to sustainable farming and also manage 1,000 acres of winegrapes which are 100% Certified Green as part of the Lodi Rules Program for Sustainable Winegrowing.
For more information visit www.bokischvineyards.com
