Lodi Wine History: The Making of California's Most Dynamic Wine Region

Kerne Erickson's artistic vision of the bucolic Lodi AVA and the region's signature, deep-rooted valley oak, native to the appellation's deep, rich sandy loam soils

As we celebrate California Wine Month this September, there's no better time to dive into the rich history of grape growing and wine production in one of the state's most significant appellations.

The Lodi American Viticultural Area stands as a testament to the evolution of California winemaking, transforming from a single designation in 1986 to a complex system of seven nested sub-appellations by 2006. This comprehensive exploration, originally authored by renowned wine journalist Randy Caparoso, traces the fascinating journey of how Lodi earned federal recognition as an AVA and subsequently subdivided into distinct terroir-driven regions.

From the initial 85,000-acre appellation to the sophisticated understanding of microclimates that led to the Mokelumne River, Clements Hills, and five other sub-AVAs, this is the story of American viticulture's commitment to expressing the unique characteristics of place through wine.

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