Lodi Wines- Top Picks on a Budget

We have searched and sipped throughout the wine country of California and think we have found the best (undiscovered) region that is home to some of the tastiest Zinfandels.

We can’t say enough about this almost undiscovered wine region of California. Located between the San Francisco Bay and the Sierra Nevada Mountains lies Lodi Wine Country, a region quickly emerging as one of California’s most exciting wine destinations.

Long growing seasons marked by warm days, low humidity, delta breezes, and dramatically cooler nights encourage the grapes of Lodi to full maturity, ripe flavors, and often higher levels of alcohol (Yippee!). We are really crazy about the Zinfandels pouring out of the sustainable land in Lodi. One in particular has erupted our tastebuds- 2014 Predator Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel 750 mL. Predator Zinfandel from Rutherford Wines is sourced from 50+year old vines that produce rich and intensely flavored fruit. The resulting wine is big and bold with hallmark “old vine” velvety texture, spice and vibrant varietal flavors.

Lodi Wine Grapes

Over 100 different grape varieties are grown in Lodi, with colorful and flavorful Spanish and Portuguese varietals like Tempranillo, Albarino, Verdelho, and Touriga Nacional finding an exceptional second home in the region’s Mediterranean climate.

While the big, fruit-filled, spicy nature of truly Old Vine Zinfandel placed Lodi wine country on the map, it’s the diversity of varieties that is inspiring winemakers today to create regional wines of distinct varietal character.

Familiar international red grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and the high-profile Zinfandel along with the white wine grapes of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio represent Lodi’s top plantings and account for close to 20% of California’s premium wine grape production, making Lodi grapes a significant contributor to California’s overall wine market. Hosting less than a dozen wineries in the early 1990’s, Lodi’s wine-making scene is exploding with more than 80 new wineries (and counting) calling Lodi home.

Lodi’s wine history has nurtured deep roots in the grape growing side of the viticultural coin; however, the region’s quality grapes, ambitious growers and lofty winemaking goals have spurred a wine revolution that’s created a natural paradigm shift – inspiring local grape growers to give a regional voice to their grapes by taking the next step and trying their hand at winemaking themselves or hiring a consulting winemaker to showcase the best of the vineyard in the bottle.
The results speak for themselves, with many long-time growers making their dual mark on the industry in the grapes and the glass.

Curious about tasting some Lodi wines for yourself? Then check out our Top Picks for Lodi Wines under $20!
2012 Dancing Coyote Lodi California Zinfandel 750ml Wine

2008 Herman Walters Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel 750 mL

2013 Renwood BBQ Zinfandel California 750mL