Vino Con Brio at Amorosa Vineyards
7889 E. Harney Lane
Lodi, CA 95240
(209) 368-5658
anne@vinoconbrio.com
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Friday through Sunday from 12 to 5 PM
Tasting fee $3
10% case discount
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Tours:
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Tours by Appointment
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Price Range:
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$13 to $30 per bottle
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Established:
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1999
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Vineyards:
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400 acres
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Production:
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5000 cases
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Description
As you turn into the road lined with Italian Cypress trees toward Vino Con Brio and its Amorosa Vineyard, an island of trees conceals the winery outbuildings, lush gardens, spacious patios, the four-room Bed and Breakfast Inn and the cozy tasting room. “Wine with Passion” is the theme here, making the family-run operation inviting and relaxed.
The red-tin-roofed tasting room looks out over a broad patio where wine and food events, weddings and community meetings are regularly held. There are a few boutique items for sale in their small gift shop. Outside is a covered space with heaters for chilly afternoons. Check out the ancient grape vines just off the patio entrance, or take a walk around the property to the duck pond beneath the expanse of shade trees.
The winery and business office of Vino Con Brio are located in Lodi on nearby Turner Road. The tasting facility showcases the winery’s Pinot Grigio, Petite Sirah, Passione Rose, a sparkling wine and a late-harvest Viognier.
The 21-acre Amorosa Vineyard surrounds the site and is planted to 10 varietals (Muscat Canelli, Viognier, Pinot Grigio, Roussanne, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc and a little Pinotage), allowing for a number of interesting red and white blends to sample. Unique to the area - and California is general - is Pinotage, a South African grape variety that makes wonderfully spiced, full-bodied red wine. (Vino Con Brio is the largest grower of this variety outside of South Africa.) With their old-vine Zinfandel grapes they also produce some rich and zesty Zinfandels.
Wines and Awards
Six medals for VCB!
Vino Con Brio takes home 6 medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition - 2 golds, 2 silvers and 2 bronzes.
VCB in Anthony Dias Blue's New Wine Book
The listing in Anthony Dias Blue's Pocket Guide to Wine 2007 highlights Vino Con Brio's "smoky" Syrah as a "standout."
Wine of the Week
Lodi News-Sentinel chose Vino Con Brio's 2005 Pinot Grigio as wine of the week in the January 6, 2007 edition of the paper. The article includes a delicious recipe to compliment the wine.
Passion Spells Success
For Vino Con Brio Winery, success isn't bottled, poured in a glass or sold by the case. A boutique Lodi winery whose name meanse "Wine with Passion" is particularly adamant that they will serve nothing less than a wine created with immense passion. Anne Matson, Director of Sales & Marketing for Vino Con Brio, gives an insightful interview about the workings of the family-run winery and Amorosa Inn & Gardens. The article, written by Les Mahler & Jim Hansen was published in the Winter 2006-2007 issue of D'vine Wine and Visitors Guide.
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