NEW BOWLING VENUE OPENS IN ‘WINE COUNTRY’

There’s a dirty little secret in the wine industry that many wines labeled “Napa Valley” contain a significant portion of juice from the nearby Lodi growing region — up to 25% is allowed by law — in their blends.

Lodi has been supplying Napa with quality blending wine for generations, and in recent decades has come into its own as a “wine country” destination. But the city that abuts the vineyards has long been sleepy, with little for families and couples to do.

That is changing, however, with the recent opening of Lodi Bowling Lounge and Bar.

Julio Camberos Jr. is the venue’s director of food and beverage and oversaw construction of the 42,650-square-foot facility for the last two years. The project took longer than anticipated due to supply chain issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and some products “quadrupling in price.”

The center’s restaurant seats 250, and there are four private bowling rooms, each of which can accommodate as many as 70 people and features QubicaAMF’s HyberBowling. There’s also an arcade and a billiards room, as well as a DJ booth and a 100-foot-long bar.

Representatives from the Lodi Chamber of Commerce, Lodi Unified School District and other organizations were invited to a soft opening, at which they were treated to lunch and a few games of bowling.

“It’s absolutely gorgeous and stunning,” Lodi City Councilman Cameron Bregman said. “It took a while — way too long, in fact — but the ultimate product is perfection.”

Oh… the wine list? It includes selections from, among other places, Napa Valley and Lodi.