While Lodi’s wine country is celebrated for its bold red Zinfandels, this Central Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) has also gained a reputation for the wide range of grapes that thrive here. In fact, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, Lodi is “the most diverse grape growing region in the country.”
Indeed, seven different sub-regions, each with its own unique conditions, make up the Lodi wine region. About 135 kinds of grapes, many of them rare elsewhere in California, are cultivated on nearly 100,000 Lodi acres—including more than 25,000 that are certified sustainable.
Tastings at Lodi’s 85-plus wineries are approachable—most don’t require a reservation—and offer a great value, too. You can drop in for a tasting at St. Amant for $10, and many $20 flight fees, like at Bokisch Vineyards and Harney Lane Vineyards, are waived with the purchase of a bottle.
Where to Go Wine Tasting in Lodi
Get acquainted with the region—located about 35 miles south of Sacramento, 85 miles northeast of San Francisco, and just north of Stockton—with a stop at the Tuscan-style Lodi Wine Visitor Center, operated by the Lodi Winegrape Commission. Browse bottles and check out the onsite demonstration vineyard or enjoy a seated tasting of the rotating selection of local wines.
Then start exploring. Klinker Brick Winery, for instance, is famous for its old-vine Zinfandels, which are produced from grapes grown on vines that are more than 50 years old. At the innovative Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards, you can discover rare Rhône-style white varietals that are virtually impossible to find in other parts of the state, including Clairette Blanche, Picpoul Blanc, and Bourbelanc.
To learn more about the farming and winemaking traditions of Lodi, take the Historical Legacy Tour at Oak Farm Vineyards, home to an award-winning Petit Verdot and a restaurant serving a menu planned with wine pairings in mind. Then peruse the bottles at Michael David Winery—once honored as Wine Enthusiast’s American Winery of the Year—which brings together a 150-year family farming heritage with an irreverent sensibility, as evidenced by its colorful and playful wine labels.
Harney Lane Vineyards, meanwhile, has a tasting room tucked into a verdant estate and offers experiences including Grape-to-Glass walking tours that take you inside the world of Lodi winemaking. And don’t miss the pioneering Bokisch Vineyards, a top destination for such varietals as Albariño, Tempranillo, and Graciano; here you can savor the flavors of Spain by pairing its wines with charcuterie boxes filled with Spanish delicacies.
Wine Tours and Events in Lodi Wine Country
There are a variety of ways to taste your way around Lodi wine country with a guide and a driver leading the way. For instance, you can visit local wineries on weekend guided tours aboard the cable car–inspired Lodi Wine Trolley.
For a more customized experience, travel in luxury to the wineries and design your own itinerary on tours with Vintage Limousine Service. If you’re with family or a group of friends, Coche Vino Wine Tours has options that last anywhere from four to six hours and include gourmet picnic lunches.
Planning your visit around one of the annual festivals adds more local flavor. In March, the Lodi Wine Festival offers tastings from about 40 wineries, while September’s Lodi Grape Festival is a nearly 90-year tradition with carnival rides, live entertainment, and plenty of great food and wine. And for the perfect pairing, it’s tough to beat February’s Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend.
Where to Stay in Lodi
The hotel options in Lodi range from reliable chains to independent hotels, B&Bs, and RV parks. One top choice: Appellation Lodi - Wine & Roses Resort and Spa, a quintessential wine country retreat set on 7 acres of tranquil floral and culinary gardens; the resort also has two restaurants helmed by Michelin-starred chef Charlie Palmer.
For a more intimate stay, check in at the Poppy Sister Inn, housed in a 1907 Victorian with a wraparound porch, or the Bella Vino Bed and Breakfast, where the four rooms are named for different wines and are located in a historic Lodi neighborhood.