Latest news with #Mohr-FryRanches
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Just like the grapes, Lodi wineries are being crushed by several variables, including the current political climate
( LODI- Wineries are the economic engine of Lodi. And just like the grapes, the California wine industry has been crushed by cheap overseas imports and fewer consumers. '[Wineries] are choosing to remove some of their vineyards now, pulling them out and looking at alternative crops to put in, and in some cases, they don't have the resources to do that,' Stuart Spencer, Executive Director of the Lodi Wine Grape Commission, said. Mohr-Fry Ranches is one of the many grape growers in Lodi that have had to remove some of their vines. Officials identify fatal Sacramento hit-and-run victim The family-owned business has grown grapes for over 170 years. Jerry Fry is the President and tells FOX40 they've lost tens of thousands of dollars as a result of these recent challenges. 'The grower, in general, is a price taker and so we're dependent on consumption and everything else,' Fry said. This is also affecting the greater community. 'When the agricultural economy struggles, the whole economy struggles here– the irrigation companies, the fertilizer companies, the farm workers,' Spencer said. Unlike champagne, California wineries have also been falling flat due to a common concern at the top of everyone's minds: tariffs and trade wars. 'Wine is often a pawn in these larger trade wars,' Spencer said. Canada is California's top wine importer, and the devastation from Canada's boycott of American wine and 25% import tax is just the beginning. New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised never to bow down to Trump, and Stuart says California wineries have now reached another big fork in the road. '[Lodi wineries] need to make decisions based on what they know right now,' Carney said. 'And you know, there are a number of properties up for sale, and there are people exiting the wine business.' So will these tariffs protect domestic producers? Both Spencer and Fry say it's too early to tell. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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
