Six facts about San Joaquin County wine that pair perfectly with your next bottle
Here are six things you may not know about San Joaquin County’s wine industry – but that you should definitely ponder over your next glass of California wine.
In This Article
1. Massive Production Fuels California Wine
The San Joaquin Valley is California’s agricultural heartland, producing more wine grapes than any other region in the state. In 2023, over $393 million worth of grapes were harvested in the region, making it the second-most-valuable agricultural product in the area. The vast majority of all Golden State wines – around 70% – are made with fruit hailing from the San Joaquin Valley.
2. Lodi AVA Is Key to Quality and Recognition
While the county as a whole is known for its sheer volume, it’s also home to the Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA). AVAs delineate specific grape-growing regions that are subject to unique geographic and climate features that impact the characteristics of grapes, and therefore the bottle that ends up on the shelves of your local bottle shop. The Lodi AVA has garnered increasing recognition for its high-quality, premium wines, particularly its Old Vine Zinfandel, which has become a signature of the area.
“Historically, Lodi is the Zinfandel capital of the world,” says Stuart Spencer, executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission.
3. Diversity Rules: Over 130 Grape Varieties
While it’s known for its Zinfandel, Lodi AVA is anything but a one-trick pony; it’s also the most diverse grape-growing region in the state, with over 130 different varietals found in vineyards. The area boasts grapes from all over the world. “Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French and Greek varieties are all grown here,” Spencer says.
4. Prohibition’s Gain: The Home Winemaking Boom
San Joaquin Valley wine-grape growers got creative during Prohibition. While wine production itself tanked, some area growers kept their business alive by shipping uncrushed grapes to customers across America, who used them to make their own wine. Total U.S. wine production actually rose during Prohibition, thanks to this partnership of enterprising growers and home winemakers.
5. Delta’s Influence
The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta provides a crucial cooling effect to the Valley. Cool, dense air blows from the ocean inland, mitigating the region’s hot, dry climate. This unique “Delta Breeze” phenomenon is vital for the region’s agriculture. The result? Grapes ripen more slowly, and that extra time on the vine means the fruit develops complex flavors that result in more delicious wine.
6. Old Meets New: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity
Multigenerational family farms (like Michael David Winery and LangeTwins Winery and Vineyards, both of which began farming in the mid-1800s) and some of the world’s largest wine producers (like The Wine Group, which produces approximately 40 million cases of wine each year) call the Valley home, making its wine industry a blend of traditional farming methods and modern winemaking techniques…