There’s never any question how important grapes are to the Lodi region economy, history and culture. It’s everywhere. Clusters or vines festoon public landmarks and permanent displays, including the emblem on the sides of City of Lodi police cars. The Lodi High School football team is called the Flames—after Flame Tokay, once the region’s most widely planted grape—and their crosstown rival is Tokay High School.
Last week Lodi Bowling, located alongside Lodi’s historic railroad tracks at W. Lockeford and N. Sacramento streets, held its soft opening, and is now revving up for full-fledged business. Its full name is Lodi Bowling, Lounge & Bar, as in full bar and menus, ranging from appetizers, fresh salads, hand kneaded pizzas, complete-plate entrées and made-to-order desserts.
For the bowling crowd, of course, tap and bottled beers are a must; but since this is Lodi, so is a selection of Lodi-grown wines by the glass or bottle.
For Julio Camberos—Lodi Bowling GM and Director of Food and Beverage—wine is not an afterthought in the overall conception of the business. It’s also a matter of offering a best possible experience, even if it is mostly about bowling, appropriate to the community itself.
For example, take the Lodi Bowling wine list, which is short and fully integrated into the food menu. The Lodi Bowling wines were not selected to feature the usual suspects from Lodi and elsewhere in California. They are also