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Lodi’s Remarkable World of 130+ Grape Varieties

Lodi, California grows 130+ grape varieties—more than any other U.S. wine region. Its diversity comes from old vines, seven sub-AVAs, distinctive soils, and a climate shaped by the nearby Delta.

Why One Small California Town Grows More Grape Varieties Than Anywhere Else in America

Lodi, California

When people think of Lodi wine, Zinfandel is usually the first answer. That reputation is well deserved: it is the region’s signature grape and the variety that brought Lodi to journalists’ attention more than a century ago. Still, Zinfandel represents only one of the more than 130 varieties now cultivated throughout Lodi’s vineyards.

No other winegrowing region in the United States comes close to that range. The story behind it involves soil, weather, local history, and a farming community that has spent the last 175 years learning how to grow an extraordinarily broad selection of grapes.

That history helps explain why Lodi’s diversity matters once the wine reaches your glass.

Old Vines That Defied the Odds

Lodi contains the highest concentration of old vines in America, including plantings that are approaching 140 years of age. Bechthold Vineyard, planted in 1886, continues to yield Cinsaut. Royal Tee Vineyard’s Zinfandel dates to 1889. More than a dozen identified heritage vineyards remain productive, with plantings dating from the 1880s through the 1930s.

Their survival is closely tied to the soil. Fine sandy loam covers much of Lodi, especially near the Mokelumne River, and that soil is inhospitable to phylloxera, the root louse responsible for destroying most of the world’s original vineyards in the late 1800s. While vineyards elsewhere were replanted on resistant rootstock, many of Lodi’s oldest vines survived without that step.

These vines still grow on their own roots. Their age brings naturally low yields and fruit with notable concentration and a strong sense of place.

Mohr-Fry Ranch: Marian’s Vineyard — Zinfandel, planted in 1901.
Credit: Lodi Winegrape Commission

Seven Distinct Sub-Appellations

Lodi’s original AVA was established in 1986. In 2006, it was separated into seven sub-appellations: Mokelumne River, Clements Hills, Borden Ranch, Jahant, Sloughhouse, Alta Mesa, and Cosumnes River.

The seven areas differ in soil, elevation, and climate:

These distinctions are not often part of the consumer conversation, but they are central to understanding Lodi wine. A Cabernet from the volcanic clay of Borden Ranch will taste different from one grown only twenty minutes away in Mokelumne River’s sandy loam. Details like these can turn a casual wine drinker into someone who looks for vineyard designations.

Lodi’s Climate Is Cooler Than Its Central Valley Reputation

Because Lodi is often mentally grouped with the “Central Valley,” many people assume the region is relentlessly hot. The temperature data tells a different story. Lodi’s average summer highs and lows are comparable to Healdsburg, St. Helena, and Paso Robles—three places not generally considered too hot for producing excellent wine.

The key feature is Lodi’s broad diurnal swing. Delta breezes travel inland from the San Francisco Bay, 90 miles west, bringing a rapid evening cooldown. Summer afternoons average around 90°F, while nighttime temperatures fall into the mid-50s.

That contrast helps preserve acidity in the grapes and contributes to Lodi wines’ fragrant, fruit-forward character instead of the flat, cooked profile commonly associated with hot climates.

LODI RULES: Sustainability Before It Became a Marketing Trend

LODI RULES, launched in 2005, was the country's first third-party audited sustainable winegrowing certification program. It developed from a grassroots integrated pest management effort begun by local farmers in 1992, years before “sustainable” appeared as a label on nearly every wine shelf.

The program now includes more than 68,000 certified acres across California, Washington, and Israel. Since 2010, over $14 million has been paid back to certified growers.

This history is important because Lodi’s sustainability work was not a recent rebrand. Growers began practicing it before sustainability became a selling point, giving the region a story that many other places cannot tell.

How Lodi Vineyards Survived Prohibition

Lodi’s wine industry adapted rather than disappearing during the years from 1919 to 1933. Growers shipped Zinfandel, Alicante Bouschet, and Muscat of Alexandria nationwide by rail car to home winemakers who were legally permitted to produce a limited amount of wine for personal use.

That arrangement kept vineyards planted and farming families working through 14 dry years. It also helps explain why so many of Lodi’s historic vines remain in the ground today.

Frequently Asked Questions: Which Grapes Are Grown in Lodi?

How many grape varieties are grown in Lodi?

More than 130, which makes Lodi the most diverse winegrowing region in the United States.

Which varieties are planted most widely?

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel are the leading varieties. Lodi grows about 20 percent of all wine grapes produced in California, making it North America's leading producer at that share. The region is also a leading producer specifically of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Petite Sirah.

Has Lodi earned the name “Zinfandel Capital of the World”?

Yes. Zinfandel has been cultivated in Lodi since the 1860s, and Lodi now produces close to 35 percent of California's premium Zinfandel, more than anywhere else in the state.

Which lesser-known grapes grow there?

Lodi’s range extends well beyond the best-known varieties. Its vineyards also include Albariño, Cinsaut, Grenache, Piquepoul, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Vermentino, and dozens of other grapes that many California wine regions do not grow.

Why is Lodi able to grow such a broad range?

The answer combines a Mediterranean climate, varied soils across the seven sub-appellations, and growers who are open to experimentation. A grape that thrives in Mokelumne River’s sandy loam may not perform the same way in Borden Ranch’s volcanic clay. Lodi’s varied terroir naturally supports a varied collection of grapes.

Lodi Grape Varietals — Full A-to-Z List

Source: Lodi Winegrape Commission Annual Report, 2026

More to Discover in Lodi

Beyond Zinfandel: Explore a World of Wine in Lodi

Lodi may be identified with Zinfandel, but that familiar reputation represents only the opening chapter of the region’s wine story.

Award Winning Lodi Wines from the 2026 California State Fair

The 2026 California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition results are in, and Lodi delivered its clearest statement yet: 182 medals and Six Best of California awards.

Celebrating Sustainability in Lodi Wine Country

During April’s Earth Month, Lodi invites visitors to raise a glass and learn how its wineries are making a difference.

Author

Wes Rhea

President & CEO @ Visit Lodi

As CEO of Visit Lodi, Wes Rhea focuses on helping people have great trips—and finding time to take a few himself. A lifelong traveler, Wes enjoys wine tasting, unusual museums, and unexpected turns down country roads. After nearly two decades guiding destination marketing in California, he remains most enthusiastic about what comes next. His current obsession is Lodi-grown Cinsault.

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