Van Ruiten Family Winery - Lodi, CA
Posted by: 
CAVinoGal
N 38° 06.898 W 121° 19.210
10S E 647259 N 4219903
The Van Ruiten Family has been growing grapes in the Lodi area for more than 50 years. Two generations of the Van Ruiten family now work together tending the vineyards, and managing the winery and tasting room.
Waymark Code: WM12W0Q
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 07/22/2020
Views: 2
The Van Ruiten story began with an American dream; hard work in the face of adversity and a drive to make something special.
Shortly after World War II, John Van Ruiten Sr. arrived in the United States and settled in the rich farmlands of the Lodi area. As a young Dutch immigrant, he had a dream of growing quality grapes and producing truly outstanding wines. His desire to have his own land was realized in the early 1950’s when, prodded by a friend and local banker, John bought on a handshake the Happy Holmes Dairy.
He then made a sharp-eyed purchase of an old Zinfandel vineyard. With large amounts of sweat equity, he planted additional Zinfandel vines and began growing wine grapes in the Lodi Appellation. For 50 years, the grapes grown in the Van Ruiten vineyards were harvested and shipped to other wineries every summer. John’s first fields of Zinfandel vines remain part of the estate to this day.
In 1999 the first varieties of the Van Ruiten label wines went into production. The Van Ruitens source their fruit from approximately 800 acres, and hand pick their grapes each year at harvest time with only their best fruit destined for the bottle. Among the most memorable and lasting first wines was a Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend that remains one of the family's most popular today, along with the famous Old Vine Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio.
In 2000, less than a year after kicking off its first season of winemaking, the Van Ruiten family opened a state-of-the-art winery among their vineyards along Highway 12. The following year saw an addition of a tasting room, which allowed thirsty travelers to sample the winery’s growing list of award winning wines.
Three generations of the Van Ruiten family have worked together tending the vineyards, managing the winery and bringing the finest wines to market. The Van Ruitens believe in hard work and an uncompromising commitment to excellent wines with their winemaker John Giannini.
During the current COVID-19 situation, wine tasting is limited to Monday - Saturday, with pre-selected flights for $10 or $15. Seating is outdoors on the patio, and reservations are required.
Sunday will be bottle service only during our Music on the Patio series. Reservations can be made for the two showings offered: 12:30 - 2:30pm or 3:00 - 5:00pm.