Lodi


The Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys meet about 100 miles east of San Francisco, at the Lodi Delta, and roughly encompass portions of Solano, Yolo, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties.  Within the delta, we find the Lodi AVA and its seven sub-AVAs of Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Consumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River and Sloughhouse.

Lodi has a classic Mediterranean climate.  Warm sun is tempered by the cool winds that result from proximity to the Pacific Ocean and the gap where the northern and southern coastal ranges meet at San Francisco Bay. As temperatures rise in this vast interior valley, cool maritime breezes are pulled directly through the Delta—a convection effect—creating a climate that has allowed premium winegrapes to thrive since the early 1800s.

The Lodi Appellation covers more than 500,000 acres, beginning at the delta and running southeast, ending where the Sierra Foothills begin.  Almost 800 growers farm about 70,000 acres of wine grapes, producing more of the top five California wine varietals—Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel—than any other wine district.  Zinfandel is the king without rival, here, as more of it is cultivated in Lodi than anywhere else in the world.  Old Vine Zin has become Lodi’s best loved signature wine.

The Lodi AVA is host to roughly 75 wineries, and many of them welcome interested visitors to their winemaking properties where there’s always something new to learn.  And since Lodi loves Zin, there are a number of fun “Zin-ful” events celebrating this kicky varietal throughout Lodi wine country each year.  Learn more about these events and find other exciting attractions by checking our Discover California event finder.