White Wine, Regenerative Farming, and Reinventing Yourself at 50
What does it mean to acquiesce to wine? For Lodi winemaker Susan Tipton it means surrendering to the grapes, making wine that represents what the grapes give her.
Meet Sue Tipton, founder of Acquiesce Winery and Vineyards in Lodi, California. In a region famous for Zinfandel and other red wines, Sue took a different path, building a winery devoted entirely to Rhône-inspired white wines. What began as a passion project after she fell in love with a white Châteauneuf-du-Pape eventually became one of Lodi’s most acclaimed wineries.
Sue shares how she and her husband Rodney arrived in Lodi after years of moving around the world for corporate assignments, and how a song called “Acquiesce” by KD Lang inspired both the winery’s name and philosophy. Today, Acquiesce is known for wines that as they say, surrender to the grapes, focusing on expressing the vineyard rather than manipulating the wine. She also explains why Lodi’s warm days, cool Delta breezes, and sandy soils make Lodi an ideal place to grow Rhône white varieties such as Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Picpoul Blanc, and Bourboulenc.
Our conversation explores Sue’s career change in her 50s, the challenges of launching a winery focused exclusively on white wines, and the recognition that followed. From selling out her first vintages to being named Woman Winemaker of the Year by the International Women’s Wine Competition, Sue’s story is a testament to following curiosity and conviction.
We also discuss Acquiesce’s food-and-wine pairing program, regenerative farming practices, and the Lodi Appellation Inclusion Collective, an initiative co-founded by Rodney Tipton to help create pathways into the wine industry for people of color.
So grab a glass and join us for this inspiring conversation about wine, hospitality, sustainability, and the rewards.
Wines tasted in this episode: All are estate Lodi AVA wines.
- 2023 Sparkling Grenache Blanc
- 2024 Grenache Blanc
- 2024 Picpoul Blanc
- 2024 Bourboulenc
- 2024 Belle Blanc (Acquiesce’s Rhône-style white blend)
- 50% Roussanne
- 30% Grenache Blanc
- 20% Bourboulenc
- 2024 Grenache Rosé
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