The hotel has an interesting story:
Did You Know? “reserving the past and constructing the future. Nestled in the heart of the Lodi wine country, on a seven-acre estate of towering trees, flowers and herb gardens, you will find Wine & Roses Hotel Restaurant Spa. This magnificent estate began its existence in 1902 and has been granted recognition as a historical site. Burton A. Towne, its original owner was a native of Minnesota with a degree in engineering, who had come to Sacramento in 1898 to work for the Southern Pacific Railroad. Within four years he bought his first parcel of land in Woodbridge that included a small four room cottage, became a farmer, and began growing grapes and almonds. In 1902 he married Alice Weinstock, whose father owned a large department store in Sacramento. Burt and Alice soon built their original house and there, they raised their two sons. Their home and grounds eventually became known as “Towne Corner”.
For over 100 years, travelers on their way from Stockton to Sacramento often stopped at the corner of Turner and Lower Sacramento roads for a picnic, thinking they were in a public park. Nestled between almond orchards and vineyards were 2 1/2 acres of extensive lawns, tall oaks, redwoods, weeping willows, a gazebo, duck pond, convenient benches, tennis court, graceful arbors and garden ablaze with 400 rose bushes. In the center of this Eden was a gabled two story home-the original Towne house.
Sometime between 1924 and 1926 a devastating fire destroyed Burt and Alice’s home. The basement survived the smoldering wreckage and eventually was converted into a swimming pool (see photo in hallway of Towne House). Burt and Alice moved into “the cottage” and began renovations. By the late 1930’s the house had grown into 13 rooms, which included a connected annex or “apartments.” From then on the home was always called the Towne House. In 1984 the Towne House was designated as an historical site in San Joaquin County.
Located in “Wine Country Lodi”
We had breakfast at the hotel and then went to Aunt Kaye’s for a visit before going home! Dang, felt amazing getting home while it was still sunshine outside!
A beautiful park in the country
We made it home in about seven hours with only a little bit of traffic on the 210 East. We take an extra 16 minutes when we leave the I-5 and go East on the 210 to the 605 as we want to NOT get into the downtown LA traffic. we probably save time.
