Mettler Family winery rolls out welcome mat in Lodi
Yet a tasting room was never a priority until September, when not only did they debut a hospitality area but also a complex of buildings, including winery offices and space for their Arbor Vineyards grape-growing operations.
The designers went high-end for the big, open space, trimmed in lots of dramatic gray quartzite for columns, door framing and a soaring fireplace.
The high ceiling glows with a spectacular antique Moorish-style chandelier from Sacramento's historic Alhambra Theatre, rescued and restored by the Mettlers.
The whole room, in fact, follows the barrel curve, from the tiered, stacked ceilings, to the walls of glass overlooking an expansive lawn and vineyards.
The tasting room, I learned from the host, sits on a newly acquired 25-acre estate, with some dozen grape varieties planted.
The tasting room also offers smaller productions of varietals produced from grapes originally planted at the tasting room estate, including Chardonnay ($22.99, just 150 cases produced), Pinotage ($24.99, 250 cases), and Salice Bianco Muscat Canelli ($18.99, 80 cases).