ROOTED IN LODI
Lodi Appellation Inclusion Collective (LAIC)
The Lodi Appellation Inclusion Collective is a group of progressive Lodi wineries and professionals with a mission of increasing diversity in our region and the industry at large.
About The Experience
Back in August of 2020, Rodney & Sue Tipton of Acquiesce Winery (World-renowned White Wines) reached out in search of creating new inclusive spaces in the wine industry. Over the course of a few months, LAIC was born featuring 10 winery businesses in Lodi committed to change. They did the work educating themselves and building relationships in the community. Lodi, the largest wine grape growing region in the US, and home to Lodi Rules (sustainable winegrowing certification), may be the nicest collective of folks you can meet. We built a program to expose scholars of The Roots Fund to all aspects of winery business. Focusing on a variety of grapes, growing techniques, crush methods, wine blending, tasting rooms, marketing, finance, history, and the power of community. Lodi, known for its history of farming and Zinfandel is the home to over 100 grape varieties. If you ask around, Lodi has some of the best winemakers, reflecting the new and old world. Nestled in the open fields along the Delta The Roots Fund found some partners, who have created a family around wine.
TRF thanks you for an amazing enrichment trip.
With Gratitude,
TRF Board
(*Pictures by Scholars, Randy Caparoso of Lodiwine.com)
LEARNING FROM LAIC
Enrichment programs include building a program specific to your region. These trips include travel, housing, transportation, and an itinerary of knowledge in wine. Our program is successful when multiple wine businesses band together to raise funds and create a trip to make a long-lasting impression. Your commitment includes adding mentors, posting jobs, and pledging a long-term financial commitment. Keeping in mind, we have scholars that are new to wine, and those that are more experienced. If your ready to do the work, reach out to us.
VISIT
Head to Lodi for more than a day trip. Check out the collection for the best experiences. Shout out to Klinker Brick, Acquiesce Winery, Bottle Brands, Heritage Oak, Lucas Winery, Bokisch Vineyards, Micheal David Winery, KG Vineyard Management, Prie Winery, and Jeremy Wine Company. You can find links to their sites on our partner’s page.
LODI GRAPE COMMISSION
In the Lodi, California AVA – where nearly 1/5th of California winegrapes are grown – there exists a forward-thinking, visionary group of farmers who tax themselves to fund the Lodi Winegrape Commission. The growers of this Commission created LODI RULES out of a desire to farm in a way that meets the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to create their own livelihoods. The LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Program is the culmination of decades of viticulture research and input from farmers, scientists, and environmentalists – and it continues to evolve and improve.