22150 N Kennefick Road, Acampo, California 95220
https://peltierwinery.com/
Region: Lodi
Owners: Rodney & Gayla Schatz
About: We’re farmers first. Our family has grown wine grapes in Lodi for four generations, and three of those generations still work the vineyards together today. Rod Schatz started in 1985 with 40 acres of Old Vine Zinfandel. In 2001 he and his wife Gayla opened Peltier Winery, and the estate has since grown to more than 1,000 acres, all certified sustainable under Lodi Rules. We grow 14 estate varietals, but the ones we love sharing most are the ones people haven’t tried yet like Teroldego and Vermentino which have become a core to our lineup. Our winemaking philosophy is simple: grow great fruit, intervene as little as possible, and let the vineyard do the talking. We take our wine seriously, but not ourselves. Come say hi, try something new, and leave with a new favorite grape.
What is your favorite undiscovered grape? Teroldego, hands down. Winemakers often use it to add color and backbone to blends, and we do too. But it’s too good and too distinctive to always play a supporting role, so we give it the spotlight as well. Teroldego is hard to compare to anything else, and no description does it justice. You have to taste it for yourself. Once you do, you’ll wonder why nobody told you about it sooner.
What was your first experience with an undiscovered grape? Vermentino. Years ago, a winemaker friend who knew our proprietors had a soft spot for Italian varietals encouraged them to plant it, so they did. What surprised us most is how much people have loved it ever since. Vermentino is an easy step for fans of familiar whites like Sauvignon Blanc. It has the same bright, refreshing feel, plus a mineral edge that makes it stand out. It’s become one of our core wines, and guests keep coming back for it.
What do you love most about the undiscovered grapes? The moment of discovery. We love watching someone take a sip of a grape they’ve never heard of, and maybe can’t pronounce, and light up. There’s no expectation and no “I already know what I like,” just pure curiosity, and that’s where the fun is. As farmers, we also love the challenge. Every lesser-known variety has its own personality in the vineyard and in the glass, and they keep us learning even after four generations. These grapes remind us that wine should be an adventure.
