About Forlorn Hope
Forlorn Hope is a dedicated estate winery in the warm, Central Valley Lodi appellation east of San Francisco, producing wines that reflect the character of deep sandy loam soils over hardpan and the Delta breeze cooling influence. Forlorn Hope takes its name from the forlorn hope — the military term for the desperate vanguard unit sent first into a . The estate's commitment to quality viticulture and site-specific winemaking has earned Forlorn Hope a respected place among the region's most consistent and genuinely food-friendly producers.
The Lodi growing environment shapes everything Forlorn Hope produces. Deep sandy loam soils over hardpan and the delta breeze cooling influence define the estate's vineyard character, contributing the structure, natural acidity, and terroir specificity that distinguish the finest wines from this appellation. Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Old Vine varieties form the backbone of the portfolio, with each variety expressing a distinct facet of the estate's unique growing conditions. Winemaking at Forlorn Hope prioritizes transparency and balance over extraction, allowing the appellation's natural character to lead rather than winemaker intervention.
Visitors to Forlorn Hope can expect a genuine and unhurried tasting experience that reflects the estate's commitment to quality and hospitality. The tasting room provides an authentic introduction to the estate wines and the Lodi appellation. Whether visiting for a focused flight or a deeper exploration of the estate's vineyard programs, Forlorn Hope offers the kind of direct producer experience that wine tourism in California wine country is built on — knowledgeable, welcoming, and genuinely connected to the land and the wines it produces.
✓
Forlorn Hope takesForlorn Hope takes its name from the forlorn hope — the military term for the desperate vanguard unit sent first into a breach or assault, the soldiers with the lowest survival probability but the highest potential for breakthrough.
✓
Applied to wine,Applied to wine, the forlorn hope declares the estate's commitment to varieties and approaches that most wine buyers haven't explored: Verdelho, Trousseau Gris, Sylvaner, and other varieties that commercial wine culture has abandoned.
✓
Matthew Rorick's radicalMatthew Rorick's radical varietal choices and natural wine approach make Forlorn Hope one of California's most distinctive micro-producers.
"The 2007 California Forlorn-Hope-military-vanguard-naming Verdelho and Trousseau Gris unusual-variety natural wine bouti"
Visit Pending
Score Breakdown
Ratings will appear after verified reviews
Wine Quality
Not yet rated
Tasting Experience
Not yet rated
Value for Money
Not yet rated
Family Friendly
Not yet rated
Dog Friendly
Not yet rated
Reviews Across the Web
— loading...
WN
WinoNotion
Not yet rated
Awaiting reviews
Scores from
Google Maps and
Yelp via their official APIs · Updated every 24 hours · Click any row to view full reviews
Featured Wines
Verdelho
Verdelho
Lodi / Forlorn Hope Estate
Forlorn Hope's military-vanguard-naming Lodi Verdelho — the desperate-assault-into-the-breach philosophy on the Portuguese Atlantic white variety in the California Delta.
Trousseau Gris
Trousseau Gris
Russian River Valley / Forlorn Hope Estate
Forlorn Hope's vanguard Trousseau Gris — the abandoned-variety rescue mission applied to one of California's rarest commercial white varieties.
🥂
Forlorn Hope Vanguard Appointment
Appointment with the military-vanguard unusual-variety natural wine boutique — Forlorn Hope Verdelho and Trousseau Gris.
From $20
Photo Gallery
Recent Reviews from Our Community
No Community Reviews Yet
This winery does not have any published WinoNotion community reviews yet. Be the first to share a recent visit and help other wine travelers know what to expect.
Write the First Review →
Not Yet Reviewed
Jessie's Grove Winery
Lodi
Not Yet Reviewed
Not Yet Reviewed
Not Yet Reviewed
Not Yet Reviewed
Not Yet Reviewed
McManis Family Vineyards
Lodi