Long a workhorse of California wine grape growing, Lodi is elevating quality like never before, making right now the best time ever to visit this low-lying region between the bustling Bay Area and the glorious Sierra Nevada.
The sprawling region, which was named as an appellation in 1984 and encompasses about 100,000 acres of vineyard, occupies most of the rich, loamy landscape between the large inland port city of Stockton and state capital of Sacramento.
Home to century-old vines and more than 120 (!) grape varieties, there’s a flavor for every palate in Lodi, whether that’s a brisk Bourbelenc, a spicy Zwiegelt, a classic Cabernet Sauvignon or an old-vine Zinfandel.
With nearly 70 tasting rooms all spread within about a half-hour drive of each other, there’s an experience for every preference, from family-friendly, picnic-perfect estates near the Delta on the southwest edge to elevated tasting tours on properties that cling to the foothills on the northeast.
For those seeking to dive deeper into what makes Lodi special, make sure to pay attention to the seven sub-appellations that were carved out of the original Lodi AVA in 2014: Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River and Sloughhouse. Aside from their geographic locations, the differing terroirs are rooted in each appellation’s distinct soil makeup, which give the resulting wines a bit more character.
To best navigate the landscape, I asked a handful of experts who live and/or work regularly in Lodi for their advice on which tasting
This Article was originally published on Wine Enthusiast
