The Soil
We Boast Some of the World’s Richest Soils for Growing Wine Grapes.
(Why, you can taste gold, silver and bronze in many of our wines.)
Suppose God’s little acre was slightly larger. And that the soils that enrich it are carried down from high up in the Sierra’s. By day, the California sun warms it; by night, breezes off the Bay sneak through the Carquinez Strait to cool it. And throughout the year, miles of interconnected waterways quench its thirst. Now, if such a place existed, you might be inclined to think it a pretty good spot to grow things – say, grapes for instance. And where growers grow grapes, surely there must be vintners who make wine. Which is exactly what’s happening here at a spot 38°N/121°W on any map, where, quite wonderfully, all the elements – both natural and human have come together exactly so to create row upon row of pristine vines and award-winning wines. And who knows how many ways to enjoy them.
Climate
Lying directly east of the largest gap in California’s Coast Ranges – the San Francisco Bay – Lodi experiences a Mediterranean climate characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. During the growing season, warm, sunny days allow for optimal ripening of winegrapes. By contrast, cool winds off the Pacific Ocean which travel inland over a network of waterways act a natural air conditioner for the region, helping winegrapes maintain racy acidity. Together, geography and climate provide Lodi the unique ability to grow an unusually diverse range of winegrapes. Though Lodi is sometimes perceived as a hot-climate region, in reality, average temperatures are comparable to or even lower than other well-known regions like Healdsburg (Sonoma), St. Helena (Napa Valley), and Paso Robles.
Topography
Traveling west to east, Lodi’s topography transitions from relatively flat, lower elevation (0-150 feet) plains and desiccated river terraces with natural woodland environments to rolling and rounded hillsides (150-400 feet) with prairie mound environments. The foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range border Lodi in the east, creating multiple slope aspects and elevations which rise from 450 feet in the south-eastern corner of the region to nearly 600 feet in the north-eastern corner.
Soils
Lodi’s diverse soils were formed thousands of years ago through geological events and alluvial waters. Two major rivers originating in the Sierra Nevada–the Mokelumne and Cosumnes—have brought soils rich in granitic-based minerals that complement the fine sandy loam soils surrounding the community of Lodi. Recent expansion has driven vineyards into previously undeveloped areas along the eastern edge of the appellation where a range of older lower fertility soils are found; these ideal winegrowing soils range from heavier clay-based soils in the south to well-drained stony soils in the north. A few of the more dominant soils in the region include Tokay Fine Sandy Loam, Tuscan Stony Loam, San Joaquin Loam, and Archerdale Clay Loam. The fine, well-draining Tokay Sandy Loam is home to the majority of Lodi’s fifty- to one hundred-year-old Zinfandel vines.