Beyond Zinfandel — A World of Varietals Awaits in Lodi
Lodi may have earned its reputation as Zinfandel country, but the region’s wine story reaches much further.
There is no need for a 12-hour flight or jet lag to begin exploring international wine styles. Lodi’s bold, jammy reds may have put it on the map, yet more than 135 other varietals grow among those Zinfandel vines. That makes Lodi the most diverse wine-growing region in the country. Instead of packing a passport, bring a wine glass and travel the world one pour at a time.
Spanish and Portuguese Influences
Lodi’s Iberian heritage is especially evident at wineries cultivating Spanish and Portuguese grapes in the region’s Mediterranean-like climate.
Bokisch Vineyards played an important role in establishing Lodi’s Spanish-varietal identity. Markus Bokisch was the first vintner to introduce the Spanish varietal to California, and Bokisch now farms Albariño, Tempranillo, Graciano, and Garnacha. The winery also recently introduced Lo Xalet, the first Cava-inspired sparkling wine produced in California, made from grapes imported from Spain's Penedès region and offered exclusively to club members.
St. Jorge Winery brings Portuguese character to Lodi through Port-style wines served on a European villa-style property that celebrates the Vierra family's heritage.
At St. Amant Winery, a historic post-Prohibition cooperative winery, visitors can find Touriga Nacional and Verdelho.
Portuguese Character at St. Jorge Winery
Travelers drawn to rich, layered wines or after-dinner pours should consider a visit to St. Jorge Winery. Its Portuguese-inspired Port-style wines offer another view of Lodi, combining the Vierra family’s heritage with the area’s warm and welcoming personality.
The experience also demonstrates that exploring Lodi varietals extends beyond table wine. The region offers styles and traditions that may surprise visitors expecting a narrower selection.
Southern Italian Grapes in Lodi
Lodi’s Mediterranean-like climate provides a natural home for Italian varietals. Oak Farm Vineyards offers an opportunity to explore this part of the region, including its award-winning Fiano.
For visitors interested in moving past familiar grapes, Oak Farm shows how lesser-known Italian varietals can flourish in Lodi. The experience is not simply about tasting something unusual; it is also about discovering how naturally these grapes belong in the region.
A Greek-Inspired Pour from Perlegos Family Wine Co.
Perlegos Family Wine Co. introduces a Greek perspective to Lodi wine country with Assyrtiko. This bright, refreshing white is well suited to warm afternoons and Delta breezes.
Assyrtiko is among the region’s more unexpected discoveries, which is part of its appeal. Lodi allows grapes like Assyrtiko not merely to survive, but to shine.
Rhône Whites at Acquiesce Winery
Acquiesce Winery offers a tasting experience that is both refined and distinctly different. Owner Susan Tipton has created a one-of-a-kind destination devoted to white wines from the Rhône Valley, including Picpoul Blanc, Clairette Blanche, and Roussanne.
The wines are accompanied by bites prepared on-site, making the visit more immersive than a standard tasting. For those seeking varietals that are not found everywhere, Acquiesce is an especially worthwhile stop.
Central European Varietals at Markus Wine Co.
Markus Wine Co. takes the Lodi tasting experience in another direction with Central European varieties such as Grüner Veltliner and sparkling Bacchus.
Here, the idea of a global wine journey becomes especially tangible. A single Lodi itinerary can move through Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Austria, and Germany while remaining grounded in Lodi’s climate and relaxed style.
Create Your Own Lodi Wine Journey
One of the pleasures of tasting beyond Zinfandel in Lodi is the freedom to keep planning simple. Build an itinerary around the styles and varietals that interest you, then allow the day to develop naturally.
Begin with a Spanish-focused tasting at Bokisch Vineyards. Continue with a less familiar choice such as Fiano at Oak Farm Vineyards or Rhône whites at Acquiesce Winery. Finish at the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center, where an even wider selection of local wines can be sampled in one location.
For an itinerary centered near downtown, add Jeremy Wine Company. Its distinctive wines and downtown setting connect Lodi’s varietal diversity with the area’s walkable, easygoing tasting culture.
In Lodi, trying a new wine does not need to feel intimidating. It is simply a good reason to enjoy another glass.
Plan Your Visit
The featured wines represent only a starting point. More than 135 grape varietals are grown in the Lodi AVA, so new discoveries are always close at hand.
A visit can begin at the Lodi Wine & Visitor Center, followed by tasting rooms selected around your palate and a self-directed exploration of Lodi wine country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wine varietals are grown in Lodi, California?
Lodi grows more than 135 grape varietals, making it one of the most diverse wine regions in the country. Zinfandel remains the best-known, while visitors can also taste Spanish varieties such as Albariño and Tempranillo, Portuguese-inspired wines, Italian grapes including Fiano, Greek Assyrtiko, Rhône whites, and Central European varieties such as Grüner Veltliner.
What is the most diverse wine region in California?
Lodi is widely considered the most diverse wine-growing region in the United States, with over 135 grape varietals produced in the Lodi AVA. Its Mediterranean-like climate—warm days, cool Delta breezes at night, and varied soil types—supports both bold reds and delicate whites.
Where can I try Albariño wine in Lodi?
Bokisch Vineyards is the top destination for Albariño in Lodi. Markus Bokisch was the first vintner to introduce the Spanish varietal to California, and the vineyard remains the benchmark for Albariño in the Lodi AVA. Oak Farm Vineyards also produces an Albariño worth trying.
Where can I try unusual or rare wine varieties in Lodi?
Several Lodi wineries feature rare or lesser-known varietals. Acquiesce Winery focuses exclusively on Rhône-style white wines, including Picpoul Blanc, Clairette Blanche, and Roussanne, all quite rare in California.
Markus Wine Co. produces Grüner Veltliner and sparkling Bacchus from Central European varieties. Perlegos Family Wine Co. makes Assyrtiko, a Greek white that is virtually unique to the region. The Lodi Wine & Visitor Center is a useful first stop for sampling a broad selection of unusual varietals in one place.
Do Lodi wineries require reservations for tasting?
Most Lodi tasting rooms welcome walk-ins, giving visitors flexibility as they explore different varietals at their own pace. Wineries with food-paired or elevated experiences, including Acquiesce Winery, recommend reservations, particularly on weekends. Compared with other California wine regions, Lodi’s tasting culture is refreshingly flexible.
How far is Lodi Wine Country from Sacramento and San Francisco?
Lodi is approximately 35 miles south of Sacramento—about a 35-minute drive. The trip from San Francisco and the Bay Area takes roughly 90 minutes. This makes Lodi accessible for a day trip featuring international varietals across multiple tasting rooms without a long commute in either direction.
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Author
Natalie Morlino
Community Engagement & Communications Manager
Natalie is a natural storyteller who enjoys creating authentic connections with her community. An avid world traveler, she is always ready to pull up a barstool at a cozy restaurant, meet new people, and find a Lodi wine on the menu. Since exchanging city life for wine country, she has spent time in Lodi shopping the farmers market, searching for antiques, and visiting new wineries with her fiancé, son, and pug—with a glass of Zin in hand.
Related Wineries
Acquiesce Winery
22353 N Tretheway Rd,
Acampo, California 95220-9716
(209) 333-6102
Oak Farm Vineyards
23627 N DeVries Rd,
Lodi, California 95242-9613
(209) 365-6565
St. Jorge Winery
22769 N Bender Rd,
Acampo, California 95220-9653
(209) 365-0202
Bokisch Vineyards
18921 Atkins Rd,
Lodi, California 95240-9715
(209) 642-8880
Jeremy Wine Company
6 W Pine St,
Lodi, California 95240-2118
(209) 367-3773