 Just a few short years ago, Darla Givens was a vino virgin. Now, she’s a full-blown wino. Darla, meteorologist and weather diva for Sacramento’s News 10 never thought she’d love wine as much as she does. The vino that launched Darla on her journey as a wine lover was a Cab-Shiraz blend by Van Ruiten Vineyards in Lodi, California. About five years ago, Darla traveled to Lodi for “Free Friday,” which is one of her television station’s promotional giveaways. She brought home that infamous bottle of Van Ruiten and served it to friends. At that time, Darla wasn’t really into wine. But she decided to take a sip.
That was it, she was hooked. “I still really don’t know a lot about wine,” said Darla. “But I have definitely acquired a taste for it. “ “I blame the winemakers in Lodi for turning me into a wino.” Darla GivensDarla’s favorite varietal is Zinfandel. Which makes sense because the Lodi/Woodbridge area is her favorite wine region and they grow a lot of Zin there. But the wine isn’t the only thing Darla likes about the area. She finds it “quaint and homey” and the people very friendly. “I like learning about wine,” said Darla. “The winemakers in Lodi are always willing to spend time and explain things to me, and I don’t just feel like I’m just another one of the crowd.”
Darla cruises to Lodi as often as she can. But when I caught up with her, she was in Sacramento at the California State Fair. Every year, Darla comes out to do live weather reports in front of state fair crowds. And it’s evident that the crowds love her, especially the kids.  Darla loves children, she has three boys of her own, ages seven, four and three. She brings her boys out to the fair when she’s not on weather duty. “It’s not just about the rides and the corndogs,” said Darla. “There are so many interesting and educational exhibits out here. But the boys, they just like the animals and the rides.” Of course one of Darla’s favorite spots at the State Fair is the wine garden. Go figure.
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