Wine lovers don’t need to venture far to acquire a variety of fine wines. The Lodi Wine Country is right in our back yard, and has more than 80 wineries and 750 grape growers.

Although Lodi is mostly known for its Old Vine Zinfandel and regular Zinfandel wines, its wine country is also the state's leading producer of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvgnon Blanc and Viognier. But it doesn't stop there. Lodi grape growers grow more than 60 different varieties, everything from Albarino to Torrontes and Gewürztraminer.

“Lodi is a friendly and relaxed wine region with a deep heritage in growing winegrapes for amazing world class wines,” said Camron King, executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. “The Lodi experience is one based in community and passion for the product produced here. Growers, winery owners and the community are all intertwined and this makes for a great Lodi experience for anyone visiting the region.”

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Defense announced the death of Staff Sgt. Sky R. Mote of El Dorado.

Mote, 27, was killed Aug. 10 during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion out of Camp Pendleton, California, and served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Thursday this fallen hero is coming home, and his family could use your support.

A Hero's Welcome is scheduled at McClellan Air Force Base on Thursday, August 16 at 4:30 at Hanger 3.