The new Cycles Gladiator Winery and Visitor Center is located in one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in Lodi, California, a nod to the colorful history of both the region and the Cycles Gladiator story.
In Lodi, early settlers were planting the region’s first grapevines; while in Europe, the modern bicycle was considered a technological marvel and the new symbol of independence. Cycles Gladiator was the name of a popular French bicycle company and its beautiful advertising posters captured the feeling of freedom one discovered while cycling. When Hahn Family Wines decided to launch a brand of classic wines that pay homage to Lodi’s early days, the spirit and famed artwork of Cycles Gladiator was a perfect fit. It captured the uninhibited beauty of Lodi’s vineyards and was chosen to grace its bottles, now available in all 50 states and around the world.
Cycles Gladiator wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel, with fruit that is sustainably grown under the Lodi Rules certification. It has won numerous awards, and the label (banned in the state of Alabama as “pornographic”) was recognized with an American Graphic Design Award in 2006. The Alabama controversy has served to further strengthen Cycles Gladiator’s image as an expression of freedom and personal discovery. To commemorate the ban, the winery created a special Lodi-appellated Red Wine blend using the old label for the Visitor Center. The winery has also generously supported many cycling-related causes including LiveStrong, Tour of California, MS150, and Tour de Georgia.
The new Cycles Gladiator Winery and Visitor Center is located just minutes off Highway 99 in the heart of Lodi wine country. The newly remodeled facility offers a full line of cycling apparel and gifts, a large lush picnic area with two bocce courts, and of course the exciting portfolio of Cycles Gladiator wines. It’s a great place for wine tourists traveling on two wheels (or four) to stop, enjoy the wines, and toast the spirit they represent.
WHAT TO BUY
’10 Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon – $12
Cherry, plum, cola, cedar
’10 Petite Sirah – $12
Exotic spice, white pepper, toasted oak, caramel, dense fruit
’09 Lodi Zinfandel – $12
Ripe black cherries, chocolate caramel, boysenberries
CONTACT
209-263-3131
info@cyclesgladiator.com
cyclesgladiator.com
TASTING
Visitor Center Open Daily 10–5
3750 E Woodbridge Rd.
Acampo, CA 95220
SPECIAL NOTES
Private tastings and tours by appointment, wine club events and discounts, weddings, receptions and events, picnic grounds, bocce courts, winemaker on site.
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
