I had a great time at the 2011 Lodi Wine Stroll on 4/15! The write-up on VinVillage is perfectly accurate and was exactly as I found this function to be. Read it here:  http://vinvillage.com/event/lodi-school-street-wine-stroll-2011

This was my first time attending and I thought it was organized really well.  There were more attendees than I had imagined, and it would appear that this is a popular spring event in Lodi. I would also say the event is fairly casual, and the general atmosphere was relaxed but spirited. The other “strollers” were genial, and that made it easier to maneuver through some of the more crowded spaces. You must bring your patience with you, too, as there were lengthy lines at some of the shops. We actually ran out of time and didn't make it to all of the tastings, but that was alright because I was already familiar with those we chose to bypass.

The hosting shops were spread among about eight city blocks, so make sure you don’t make the mistake of wearing uncomfortable shoes to walk in - you will have to walk a bit if you plan on tasting several of the wine offerings.  The weather was nice, so that was a plus for the evening, too.

I found that the participating merchants put a great deal of effort into the accompanying hors d’oeuvres they offered.  They weren’t necessarily “parings” with the wines that were served, but rather a show of graciousness and festivity.  Everything I had was tasty and satisfying.

Of the shops I visited, the owners did extend discounts on some selected items, so if you like a little shopping with your wine, this may be a good one for you, too.

Overall, I would recommend attending the Lodi Wine Stroll in the future. Downtown Lodi has a small-town, charming feel, the other attendees and hosting merchants were friendly, and the wines I tasted were wonderful.

Thanks again to VinVillage and Rob for the contest and discounted tickets!