Lodi

The jewel of the Central Valley, Lodi lies just east of the California Delta in an area of varied terroir. Winemakers here can extract different grape variety expressions from each plot of land. Zinfandel is common here, making deeply fruity and tantalizingly smoky wines, often from old vines. But the deep loamy soils and balmy Mediterranean climate, with its warm days and cool nights, help keep Lodi's grape varieties and winemaking styles impressively diverse. Alongside the ubiquitous Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Viognier also thrive. Lodi is a melting pot of different grape varieties and winemaking techniques, all of which make it a rewarding region to explore.