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Feature Article
Varieties like Tempranillo and Graciano have added some Spanish flair
to the vineyard landscape of Lodi.
Bringing a Spanish flair to Lodi's Clements Hills AVA: An interview with Markus Bokisch
"The public has come to appreciate Lodi’s ability to create truly world-class wines in a plethora of varieties."
by
Dave Chandler
September 13, 2006
Markus and Liz Bokisch share a great deal with the Tempranillo they grow: strength without errantry, elegance without pretense, and a youthful vibrancy that fuels a kind of noble determination. Also like Tempranillo, the Bokisch family is pioneering a new home in the Clements Hills of Lodi Wine Country, a land that is reminiscent of their native Spain.
Markus began his viticultural career with the Joseph Phelps Winery under Bulmaro Montes in Phelps Winery’s Le Mistral program. Charged with conducting rootstock research for phylloxera redevelopment in the early 1990’s, Bokisch’s work led him to discover Lodi and its potential for growing Rhone Varietals such as Cinsault, Carignane, Grenache and Syrah.
Bokisch Vineyards’ latest release Spanish Varietal wines are now available in the Appellation America online wine store.
Buy yours here!
After tasting and touring the major viticultural regions of Europe in ’92-’93, Markus and his wife, Liz, purchased land in the Clements Hills and planted it to Syrah in 1996. At the turn of the millennium, Bokisch planted single-acre ‘mother blocks’ of Tempranillo, Graciano and Albarino, because he was determined to showcase Lodi’s immense potential for yielding high-quality fruit from traditional Spanish varietals.
Today, the Bokisch family farms 1,500 acres of premium wine grapes in Lodi Wine Country and continues to specialize in Spanish and Southern Rhone varietals. Their deep commitment to sustainable viticulture and their talent for growing fruit of a superior quality is manifested in the vintages of Bokisch Winery, which produces 1500 cases annually from fifteen acres of estate-grown vineyard.
Markus began his viticultural career with the Joseph Phelps Winery under Bulmaro Montes in Phelps Winery’s Le Mistral program. Charged with conducting rootstock research for phylloxera redevelopment in the early 1990’s, Bokisch’s work led him to discover Lodi and its potential for growing Rhone Varietals such as Cinsault, Carignane, Grenache and Syrah.
Bokisch Vineyards’ latest release Spanish Varietal wines are now available in the Appellation America online wine store.
Buy yours here!
After tasting and touring the major viticultural regions of Europe in ’92-’93, Markus and his wife, Liz, purchased land in the Clements Hills and planted it to Syrah in 1996. At the turn of the millennium, Bokisch planted single-acre ‘mother blocks’ of Tempranillo, Graciano and Albarino, because he was determined to showcase Lodi’s immense potential for yielding high-quality fruit from traditional Spanish varietals.
Today, the Bokisch family farms 1,500 acres of premium wine grapes in Lodi Wine Country and continues to specialize in Spanish and Southern Rhone varietals. Their deep commitment to sustainable viticulture and their talent for growing fruit of a superior quality is manifested in the vintages of Bokisch Winery, which produces 1500 cases annually from fifteen acres of estate-grown vineyard.
Dave Chandler (DC): What qualities of the soil in the Clements Hills Appellation inspired you to plant here?
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