Lodi remains home of prized vineyards
Apr. 11—One of the oldest vineyards in Lodi has been given a top honor from the California State Fair.
Marian's Vineyard was named the 2025 Vineyard of the Year by the State Fair Wine Industry Task Force last month.
Planted in 1901, the vineyard consists of 8.3 acres of Zinfandel grapes owned by Mohr-Fry Ranches.
"Obviously it's quite an honor for our family and vineyard to receive the award," CEO Bruce Fry said. "It's really great. The timing is really good, because this recognizes old vine Zinfandels, and with the uncertainty in the wine industry right now, this will show how unique and special many vineyards are."
Marian's Vineyard is part of the Frys' 225-acre farm located west of West Lane between Harney Lane and Armstrong Road.
When the Mohr-Fry family purchased the property in 1965, it was called West Lane Ranch and consisted of Zinfandel, Flame Tokay, Alicante Bouschet and Palomino grapes — the latter of which is used to make Sherry — as well as almond and cherry trees.
The vineyard would eventually be renamed in honor of Fry's grandmother, and today, more than 90% of the acreage still consists of the vines originally planted in 1901.
In the 1990s, St. Amant Winery founder Tim Spencer approached the Mohr-Frys about highlighting some of their old vine Zinfandel.
The family loaned him seven tons, and in 2003, the winery's 2001 Marian's Vineyard varietal was named Best Zinfandel in California at the California State Fair.
Today, Marian's Vineyard Zinfandel is bottled by St. Amant Winery as a "Reserve" wine. Fry said the vineyard's grapes are also purchased by Monte Rio Cellars in Sonoma County.
"(Marian) was a very special lady, and the vineyard is very special," he said. "It keeps on producing fines wines, and for it to survive this long ... it goes along with how the family has been in business for so long. We've got six generations working for the family business. That's pretty unique in California."
Marian's Vineyard is the second Lodi vineyard to be honored by the State Fair. Bechthold Vineyard, the oldest in Lodi that was planted in 1886 and is still harvested today, consists of 25 acres of Cinsaut grapes.
"It's just an honor to be on the list with all the people who have won this award in the past," Fry said, adding the family plans to commemorate Marian's Vineyard locally sometime this year.
Mohr-Fry Ranches will be formally presented with the "Vineyard of the Year" award on Wednesday, April 16 at the California State Fair Wine Judges Dinner at the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg.
To learn more about Mohr-Fry Ranches, visit www.mohrfry.com.
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