United States

Lodi

United States wine regions

About Lodi

California's Zinfandel capital, home to some of the oldest vines in the state, many planted in the 1880s on their own rootstock. The warm Mediterranean climate and deep sandy loam soils produce ripe, generous reds with surprising complexity from century-old vines.

5–45 m

Elevation range

redwhite

Wine styles

7 AVAs

Avg. slope 1°

United States wine regions

Vintages

11 · 2014–2024

Rating:

95+

90-94

85-89

80-84

<80

PeakReadyHold

Year	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014
Red

Outstanding Lodi Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

Red

2024

Ready

91Excellent

Promising. Early harvest delivered concentrated, clean fruit with lively acidity.

2026Peak 2027–20292030

2023

At peak

91Excellent

Challenging year. Cool weather and humidity caused rot and disease pressure.

2025Peak 2026–20282029

2022

At peak

91Excellent

Well-balanced. Dark fruit and spice with good freshness.

2024Peak 2025–20282029

2021

At peak

92Excellent

Concentrated from drought. Dark-fruited and powerful.

2023Peak 2024–20272028

2019

Drink now

92Excellent

Fresh and aromatic. Bright fruit character from the cool season.

2021Peak 2022–20252027

2018

Drink now

92Excellent

Excellent old-vine Zinfandel. Rich, layered fruit with surprising structure and elegance.

2020Peak 2021–20252027

2016

Drink now

92Excellent

Return to balanced, classic Lodi Zinfandel. Brambly fruit with spice and good acidity.

2018Peak 2019–20242026

AVAs

What Lodi produces

Red

Old-vine Zinfandel, generous and fruit-forward, from century-old vines.

White

Chardonnay and Viognier, ripe and approachable.

Grapes of Lodi

Cabernet Sauvignon

blackcurrantgreen bell peppermintcedar

Ripe, approachable Cabernet with dark fruit and soft tannins. Warm climate produces generous, fruit-forward wines.

Zinfandel

strawberryraspberryplumblack pepper

Bold, jammy, high alcohol. Old-vine Lodi Zin is generous and spicy.

Climate

Mediterranean with warm, dry summers and mild winters. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta channels cool afternoon breezes through the vineyards, moderating the heat. Annual rainfall averages 350mm, concentrated in winter.

Terroir

Deep sandy loam and alluvial soils deposited by the Mokelumne and Calaveras rivers. The fine sandy soils provide excellent drainage while retaining just enough moisture for dry-farmed old vines. Some areas have clay substrates that add structure.

Typical Aromas

ripe blackberrydark plummochavanilla oakdried herbsblack pepper

Explore the aroma wheel