LODI WINE REGION FACT
SHEET
- The Lodi Wine Region is
located 100 miles east of San Francisco near the San Joaquin River Delta, south
of Sacramento and west of the Sierra Nevada.
- Lodi has been a major
winegrape growing region since the 1850's. Today, the area has more than 75,000
acres of winegrapes, farmed by over 750 growers.
- Lodi leads all other
California wine districts in the production of the top five premium wine
varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and
Zinfandel.
- The region enjoys a
Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters. Average
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 18% of California's total winegrape production - more than Napa and
Sonoma Counties combined.
- The "Lodi" appellation was
approved by the federal government in 1986.
- In 1991 local growers
voted to fund the Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission. With its $1,000,000
annual budget the Commission conducts programs in marketing, grower education
and viticultural research. The Commission has also launched the industry's only
district-wide Integrated Pest Management program to reduce the amount of
pesticides and herbicides used in winegrape production. In addition the
Commission recently opened the "Discover Lodi Wine and Visitor Center" - a
"must see" experience for anyone interested in grapes or
wine.
- There are five major
wineries in the area - Robert Mondavi Woodbridge, Turner Road Vintners, Sutter
Home Winery, Bear Creek Winery, and Oak Ridge Vineyards. However, more than 60
leading California wineries buy grapes from the region including E&J Gallo,
Glen Ellen, Fetzer, Delicato, Napa Ridge, Ravenswood, Kenwood Vineyards and
Beringer.
- Smaller "boutique"
wineries are becoming well established - among them are Lucas Winery, Peirano
Estates, St. Amant, Spenker Vineyards, Jessie's Grove, Michael & David
Vineyards, VanRuiten-Taylor, Olde Lockeford Winery, and Century Oak
Winery.
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