A Mediterranean Climate including warm dry summer and cool, wet winters are the thumbprint of the Lodi AVA, along with deep sandy clay loam soils.  This is a large region covering 500 square miles with 75,000 acres planted to wine grapes.  Lodi actually produces more Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel than any other region in California.  Although best known for their Old Vine Zins, there has been an incredible amount of award winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chardonnay produced in the region recently.  There have been a significant number of wineries expanding into Spanish, Italian and Southern Rhone varietals as well.

There are at least 38 wineries that have tasting facilities available with either regular business hours or by appointment.  There are at least another 22 with no winery tasting facilities. 

There are six AVA regions located completely within the Lodi AVA; each with its own specific terroir.    They are:

Alta Mesa:  This is a region with a higher, flat elevation, dense clay and gravel soils and warmer temperatures perfect for red wine grapes.  This region is in the north central region of the larger AVA and is bordered on the west by Highway 5.
Borden Ranch:  Known for its well drained, rocky soils, this is another region that produces primarily red wines.  It is located in the east central region of Lodi between the Sloughhouse and Cosumnes River sub AVAs.
Clements Hills:  An area of rolling hills it is warmer and wetter than the other Lodi regions and another area that produces red grapes primarily.  It is on the south east border of the larger AVA and borders the Sierra Foothills and is directly south of Borden Ranch.
Cosumnes River:  This is a cool and windy region with deep, alluvial soils due to its placement close to the Delta and the river running through it.  The area is east of Highway 5 and west of Alta Mesa, know for its white wines.
Jahant: The region is named for its Rocklin-Jahant loam soils.  It is bordered on the north by the Mokelumne River, making it cool and dry.  The region is bordered on the south by the Mokelumne River sub AVA.
Mokelumne River:  This sub AVA contains the region that is where the traditional Lodi wine region was located including the towns of Woodbridge, Lodi, Acampo and Victor.  This is the region that is known best for its great Old Vine Zinfandel vines.
Sloughhouse :  Located on the north east region of the AVA bordering the Sierra Foothills just north of Borden Ranch, this is the warmest of the sub AVAs due to its distance from the Delta influences.  It is known for its low vigor soils.

Lodi AVA Winery Information            East Lodi Interactive Map        West Lodi Interactive Map

*Delta Wines is about the tasting and travel experience, so we only discuss the wineries that have tasting facilities, whether at the winery site or at central tasting facility.