Van Ruiten Family Winery - Lodi, CA
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member 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
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member blackjack65
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.

Winery Size: Large 10,000 to 99,999 Cases

Attached vineyard?: yes

Tasting Room Available?: yes

Days and hours of operation: Monday - Wednesday 11 - 4; Thursday - Saturday 11- 5; Sunday 12 - 5

Charge for tasting?: 10.00 (listed in local currency)

Tours Available: no

Cost of Tour: 0.00 (listed in local currency)

Phone #: 209-334-5722

Address:
340 W. Hwy 12 Lodi, CA 95242


Winery, Wine Cooperative, or Tasting Center's Website: [Web Link]

Types of wines:
    WHITES
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Pinot Grigio
  • Chardonnay
  • REDS
  • Pinot Noir
  • Zinfandel
  • Carignane
  • Barbera
  • Syrah
  • Merlot
  • Malbec
  • Temperanillo
  • Petite Sirah
Van Ruiten also produces blends that vary from year to year, Rosé and Sparkling Rosé, and a Sparkling Cuvée.


Best Wine Tasted: Sideways Zinfandel

Rate the Best Wine Tasted:

Price per Bottle: 35.00 (listed in local currency)

2nd Best Wine Tasted: Davis Road Red (Blend)

Rate the 2nd Best Wine Tasted:

Price per Bottle #2: 23.00 (listed in local currency)

Winery Club: Yes

Wine Club Description::
Member benefits include:
  • Discount on all bottle wine purchases (varies based on club tier) and 30% off all case purchases, either at our tasting room, by phone, or online/mail orders
  • Three shipments a year with your choice of 4 bottles or 6 bottles of new varietals and vintages, recent award winners, or special limited production wines that will only be sold in our tasting room and to Wine Club Members
  • Members-only invitations to special events at the Van Ruiten Family Winery
  • Notification and offers for limited bottlings or other special releases
  • Complimentary tastings and tours (appointments for large groups and tours required)


Overall Comments::
We have been Wine Club members for 9 years and this is a stop for us whenever we are in the area. The wines are good, the prices (especially with the club discount) are very resaonable, and some of the holiday sales and specials are simply incredible!


Visit Instructions:
All logs must be the result of an actual visit to the winery, wine cooperative, or wine tasting center. Any logs posted otherwise will be deleted. After your tasting list the top 2 wines you liked and rate them on a scale of 1-5 (5 is great) and the price per bottle (see winery listing for an example). Original winery lister is exempt as they listed this information on the original winery listing.
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