Lodi officials will visit China next month to showcase that area's wines and explore related wine-export and business opportunities.

Tie Zhang, president of the Sacramento-based U.S.-China Business and Culture Association, said Wednesday that Mark Chandler, executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, and Pat Patrick, president of the Lodi Chamber of Commerce, will be in China March 10-16.

During that time, wines grown in and around Lodi will be displayed at the 2009 China International Wine Expo in Shanghai.

"Lodi has frequently proven in both national and international competitions that they are capable of producing world-class wines," Zhang said. "Lodi wine has already captured the world's attention in beautiful places like Costa Rica and Hong Kong.

"Export opportunities have turned into reality for a few ambitious Lodi business wineries in Shanghai ... We have no doubt that the future for Lodi exports to China and beyond will be great."