Local Terroir
Consistent Mediterranean Climate and Region IV Classification
Lodi is predominantly a Region IV, falling in the lower range of Region V just 22% of the time — despite being easily the most widely planted wine region in the U.S.
Because it falls within a watershed immediately east of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, draining directly into San Francisco Bay, the entire Lodi AVA is defined by a “Delta Breeze” climate, giving the appellation a Mediterranean climate comparable to most of the coastal wine regions of California. While temperature highs and lows are marginally greater than in regions nearer the coast, the appellations bearing the closest resemblance in terms of growing season temperatures are Napa Valley and Sonoma County.
Soil and Topography Factors
Given the overall consistency of Lodi's climate, differences between the region’s seven nested AVAs are largely soil- and topography-related, and can be broken down into three major soil types:
- Tokay Series — deep sandy loam (found in Mokelumne River AVA)
- Redding Series — gravelly or cobbled clay soils (Clements Hills, Borden Ranch and Sloughhouse AVAs)
- San Joaquin Series — sandy clay loam with shallow hardpan (Jahant, Cosumnes River and Alta Mesa AVAs)
Tokay Sandy Loam Soil (Mokelumne River)
The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta dates back approximately 10,000 years, when seismic activity drained the inland sea that covered the entire San Joaquin Valley into the Pacific Ocean. With most of its elevation lying at least 15 feet (4.5 m) below sea level, the Delta area is the only break in the entire California Coast Ranges — hence, exerting a huge impact on the climate of the farmlands surrounding the City of Lodi.
By the time the nested AVA of Mokelumne River was officially recognized in 2006, the area had been known for well over a century for its deep, rich, fine, talcum powder-like alluvial soil — as much as 90-feet (27-m) deep — classified as Tokay sandy loam. This fertile valley soil is complemented by the same dry Mediterranean climate, and warm seasonal temperatures and diurnal shifts typifying most of the California coast between Santa Barbara and Sonoma.
Just a few feet below the surface of the valley floor in the vicinity of the Mokelumne River is an enormous aquifer. Winter flooding was not uncommon in the area prior to the 1963 completion of the Camanche Dam and Mokelumne River reservoir, east of Lodi.
Redding Clay Soils (Clements Hills, Borden Ranch and Sloughhouse)
In significant contrast to Mokelumne River is Clements Hills, east of the City of Lodi and the tiny one-saloon town of Victor. Here the topography suddenly transitions from flat ground into rolling hills of 150-400 feet (46-122 m) in elevation. Soils are a visibly red, or yellowish red clay loam of volcanic origin, which are gravelly or cobbled (with stones mixed in), and less vigorous on the hilltops; notwithstanding tiny pockets of sandy-clay-loam closer to where the Mokelumne River winds through the hills, particularly along CA Hwy. 88 between the towns of Lockeford and Clements.
In respect to red wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, clay soils offer potential for deeper (in terms of color, aromas and flavors), more densely phenolic (i.e. tannin and other sensations contributing to mouthfeel) styles, in contrast to the more gentle, flowery styles of wine identified with the fine sandy loam soils of Lodi's historic Mokelumne River AVA.
Consequently, much of the growth in planted grapes in Lodi, from 42,000 acres (16,997 ha) in 1986 when the Lodi AVA was officially recognized, to over 100,000 acres (40,468 ha) by 2016 — has been in the east side Lodi appellations of Clements Hills, Borden Ranch and Sloughhouse.
San Joaquin Series Soils (Jahant, Cosumnes River and Alta Mesa)
The common denominator shared by the Jahant, Cosumnes River and Alta Mesa AVAs is their variations of the official California state soil, the San Joaquin series. San Joaquin soils are characteristic of the lower elevation (generally below 100 feet/>30 m), terraced, shallow-topsoil, floodplain topography predominant in much of northern San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento Valley.
In this soil series, the surface layer is commonly a reddish to yellowish brown, partial sand/clay loam, two to six feet in depth (0.5-1.8 m), formed above a cemented clay or sandstone hardpan that restricts root and water penetration. While useful for irrigated crops such as wheat, rice, fruit and nut orchards, and ranching, historically these areas were not as favorable for deeper rooted grape crops.
Starting in the 1980s, local farmers began to make use of deep ripping equipment to break up hardpans and plant winegrapes. This enabled them to establish deeper loam surfaces of increased vigor, mixed with finer textured subsoils above and below the hardpans. The resulting improved distribution of clay content contributes to enhanced phenolic content, so valued in popular favorites such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Location/Geography
North-central part of Lodi AVA; falling entirely in Sacramento county. 55,400 acres/22,420 ha, with about 5,300 acres/2,145 ha of planted grapes
Name Background
Spanish for “high table,” alluding to the mesa topography historically used to describe area
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
35- to 135-ft./10.5-41 m elevation tabletop topography, 2-5-feet/0.7-1.5 m deep before hitting clay and sandstone hardpan
Geology/Soil Composition
San Joaquin series (shallow, sandy clay loam with some gravelly clay loam)
Climate
Mediterranean
Main Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Primitivo/Zinfandel, Verdelho, Vermentino, Albariño/Alvarinho, Grenache Blanc, Moscato Giallo, Torrontés, Tannat, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz/Tempranillo, Tinta Cão, Souzão, Alvarelhão, Tinta Amarela
Location/Geography
Central/northwestern edge of Lodi AVA; falling in both Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties. 70,000 acres/2,833 ha, with over 12,000 acres/4,856 ha of planted grapes
Name Background
Borden Ranch founded in 1864, giving name to surrounding community
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
73- to 520-ft./22-158 m elevation hilly, prairie mound topography, largely volcanic, rocky slopes with some alluvial stream deposits
Geology/Soil Composition
Redding series (rocky clay loam)
Climate
Mediterranean
Main Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Primitivo/Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Verdelho, Garnacha blanca
Location/Geography
South-central eastern edge Lodi AVA, falling in San Joaquin County. 85,400 acres/34,560 ha, and the largest planting of wine grapes: 21,700 acres/8,782 ha
Name Background
Hamlet of Clements founded by Thomas Clements in 1857, giving name to surrounding community
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
100- to 450-ft./30.5-137 m elevation; rolling hills woodland environment with sandy alluvial fans in vicinity of Mokelumne River
Geology/Soil Composition
Redding series (rocky clay loam)
Climate
Mediterranean (widest diurnal swings in Lodi AVA)
Main Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Primitivo/Zinfandel, Barbera, Petite Sirah, Nebbiolo, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Albariño, Tempranillo, Graciano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Piquepoul.
Location/Geography
Northwest corner of Lodi AVA; mostly in Sacramento County. Currently 54,700 acres/22,136 ha, with the smallest amount of planted wine grapes (about 3,500 acres/1,416 ha) of Lodi’s seven sub-AVAs
Name Background
Cosumnes River watershed area
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
5- to 48-ft./1.4-14.5 m elevation; lower areas consist of alluvial floodplain, sloughs and wetlands; higher terrace areas with shallow clay hardpan
Proximity to Delta fog and near-sea level elevation make this one of Lodi’s cooler climate appellations
Geology/Soil Composition
San Joaquin series (shallow, sandy clay loam)
Climate
Mediterranean
Main Grape Varieties
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
Location/Geography
West-central part of Lodi AVA, falling mostly in San Joaquin County. The smallest of Lodi’s seven AVAs — comprising 28,000 acres/11,331 ha, with 9,000 acres/3,642 ha planted
Name Background
Jahant family began farming in area in 1850s, lending name to several local landmarks and businesses
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
100- to 450-ft./30.5-137 m elevation; rolling hills woodland environment with sandy alluvial fans in vicinity of Mokelumne River
Geology/Soil Composition
San Joaquin series (shallow, sandy clay loam)
Climate
Mediterranean (among coolest in average degree-days in Lodi AVA)
Main Grape Varieties
Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Primitivo/Zinfandel, Carignan, Petite Sirah, Barbera, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Montepulciano, Nero d’Avola
Location/Geography
Southwest corner of Lodi AVA falling in San Joaquin County, skirting the Delta part of the Lodi AVA to the immediate west Lodi’s largest AVA, comprising 85,700 acres/34,681 ha, and over 42,000 acres/16,997 ha of planted wine grapes
Name Background
Mokelumne River watershed area
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
10- to 85-ft./3.5-26 m elevation; fairly flat alluvial sandy loam deposits with no hardpan
Geology/Soil Composition
Tokay sandy loam series, up to 90-ft./27.5 m deep
Climate
Mediterranean (among coolest in average degree-days in Lodi AVA)
Main Grape Varieties
Zinfandel/Primitivo, Carignan, Cinsaut, Grenache, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Tannat, Barbera, Sangiovese, Aglianico, Montepulciano, Tempranillo, Graciano, Pinotage, Mission, Zweigelt, Blaufränkisch, Dornfelder, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Grenache blanc, Viognier, Roussanne, Piquepoul, Kerner, Fiano, Muscat Canelli, Flame Tokay
Location/Geography
Northeast corner Lodi AVA; falling entirely in Sacramento county 78,800 acres/31,890 ha, with about 8,000 acres/3,287 ha of planted grapes
Name Background
Historic hotel called Slough House (est. 1850s) located along a slough of Cosumnes River, giving name to surrounding community
Topography/Elevation/Water Sources/Geographic Features
110- to 590-ft./33.5-180 m elevation hilly, woodland topography, largely volcanic, rocky slopes with some alluvial fans
Geology/Soil Composition
Redding series (rocky clay loam)
Climate
Mediterranean (warmest in average degree-days in Lodi AVA)
Main Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Primitivo/Zinfandel, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Tannat, Teroldego, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Muscat varieties