"LODI WINE COUNTRY" FACT
SHEET
- "Lodi Wine Country" is
located 100 miles east of San Francisco near the San Joaquin River Delta, south
of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada.
- Lodi is best known for
its full-bodied Old Vine Zinfandel wines. In addition to Zinfandel, Lodi leads
all other California wine districts in the production of Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier.
- Lodi has been a major
winegrape growing region since the 1850's. Today, the area has 100,000 acres of
winegrapes, farmed by over 750 growers.
- The region enjoys a
Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters. Averal
annual rainfall is 17" (42.50 cm). Deep, sandy clay loam soils
predominate.
- The region's annual yield
of approximately 600,000 tons of grapes is valued at over $300 million, and
comprises 20% of California's total winegrape production - more than Napa and
Sonoma Counties combined.
- The "Lodi" appellation
was approved by the federal government in 1986.
- There are five major
wineries in the area - Robert Mondavi Woodbridge, Turner Road Vintners, Sutter
Home Winery, Bear Creek Winery, and Oak Ridge Winery. However, more than 60
leading California wineries buy grapes from the region including E&J Gallo,
Glen Ellen, Fetzer, Delicato, Napa Ridge, Ravenswood, and
Beringer.
- Lodi's 70+ "boutique"
wineries specialize in small lot, handmade wines that are garnering major
awards at domestic and international wine competitions.
- In 1991 local growers
voted to fund the Lodi Winegrape Commission. With its $1,000,000 annual budget
the Commission conducts programs in marketing, grower education and
viticultural research. The Commission also conducts the nation's leading
sustainable viticulture program, which reduces the amount of pesticides and
herbicides used in winegrape production. In addition, the Commission operates
the "Discover Lodi Wine and Visitor Center" - a "must see" experience for
anyone interested in grapes or wine.
- To learn more about "Lodi
Wine Country" please visit www.lodiwine.com and www.lodirules.com.
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