LODI WINE GUIDE (with Maps)_ CALIFORNIA, USA

This guide will help you find great Lodi wines.

Lodi sits east of the San Francisco Bay and receives cooling breezes and fog from the Pacific Ocean.

Lodi Wine Guide

On the surface, Lodi doesn’t seem to be very special. There are several big brands (Woodbridge, Rex-Goliath, Bronco Wine Co., Sutter Home, etc.) who use Lodi fruit in their unexciting California wines, chiefly Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Grigio.

Lodi is a treasure trove of old vines and forgotten wine varieties.

However, below the surface, Lodi is a treasure trove of old vines and forgotten wine varieties. It’s a land of smoky-yet-aromatic red wines that will floor you… made by unassuming, all-American farmers. Yep, true story. You just need to know what to look for. Let’s dive in!

“Old Man Walking” on Mohr-Fry Ranch Vineyard is one of many 100+ year-old Zinfandel vines in Lodi. by Lodiwine.com.

Wines of Lodi

If there is one grape variety that defines Lodi wine, it’s Zinfandel. Not only is Zinfandel the most widely planted grape in the region, it’s also responsible for putting Lodi on the map. It was around the year 2000 that brands like Klinker Brick and 7 Deadly Zins by Michael David Winery released wines with the Lodi AVA on the label. The wines were rich, fruity, sweet, and somewhat smoky. People loved them for their bold fruit and also because the winemakers didn’t take themselves too seriously.

Besides Zinfandel, you’ll find a plethora of other wines. The vineyards may be dominated by popular wines like Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, but these plantings aren’t exactly what Lodi does best. The region is truly a melting pot of grape varieties. There are scattered plantings of over 120 different grape varieties, including rare finds like Aglianico, Picpoul Blanc, Nebbiolo, Tannat, and Vermentino.

Here are a few Lodi wine varieties we believe show great potential in Lodi’s sand-dominant soils and warm climate:

Red Wines of Lodi

If you don’t recognize some of the varieties listed above, that’s okay! Many of Lodi’s most delightful finds are extremely rare, which is what makes it such a fascinating region to explore.

A Taste of Lodi Wine

You might be wondering, what do these wines taste like?

This is where I have to warn you. You will either love it or love to hate it. Lodi just can’t help it’s bombastic, bold fruit-forward style, so, instead of fighting it, it owns it. One hundred percent. These wines may sometimes look pale in color, but the aromas punch full-force at your nose and the flavors can’t help but smash dance on your palate.

• If you’re someone who loves fruit, smokiness, bombast, loud concerts, explosions, and bow-hunted, homemade jerky, this is your wine. If you love Amarone, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Walla Walla Syrah, Aussie Shiraz, and Spanish Garnacha, you will love Lodi wines.

Things are changing in the region, though.

More producers are experimenting with native yeast fermentations and less oak. These native ferment wines have less oak and have almost bread and butter pickle-like aromas. Yes, they still have the bold fruit that central California is famous for, but they have something else. The funk!

If you’re an alt-wine enthusiast, you’ll be surprised at what you find. A few examples include Fields Family, Markus Wine Co., McCay Cellars, and the Lodi Native project.