Clements Hills AVA

Clements Hills AVA occupies the northeastern corner of the broader Lodi AVA in northern San Joaquin County, approximately 41 miles southeast of Sacramento and 13 miles east of the city of Lodi. The region forms a hilly transition zone between the flat San Joaquin Valley floor and the Sierra Foothills, bisected by the Mokelumne River as it flows westward from the Sierra Nevada. Rolling terrain reaches elevations between 90 and 400 feet, giving the appellation its distinctive topographic character within the otherwise flat Lodi region.

• Located in northern San Joaquin County, 41 miles southeast of Sacramento
• Hilly transitional terrain between San Joaquin Valley floor and Sierra Foothills
• Bisected by the Mokelumne River flowing from the Sierra Nevada
• Second largest planted acreage of Lodi's seven nested AVAs after Mokelumne River

The defining characteristic of Clements Hills is its volcanic clay soils, principally Redding Series gravelly clay loams alongside Cometa and Montpellier clay loams, underlain by granite and volcanic bedrock with alluvial topsoil. These soils are shallow and low in vigor, stressing vines naturally and producing small berries with thick skins. This volcanic clay profile closely resembles soils found on California's North Coast and stands in sharp contrast to the deep sandy loams of the neighboring Mokelumne River AVA. The Mediterranean climate delivers warm days and some of the coolest nights of any Lodi sub-AVA, a combination that builds tannin structure while retaining natural acidity.

• Redding Series gravelly clay loams with granite and volcanic bedrock are the dominant soil type
• Shallow, low-vigor volcanic soils produce small, thick-skinned berries and concentrated wines
• Mediterranean climate with mean annual temperature of 60.5°F and 21-22 inches of rainfall
• Cool nights, among the coldest in Lodi, preserve acidity and balance tannin development

Clements Hills excels with full-bodied, structured red wines built for aging. Spanish varietals, particularly Tempranillo and Grenache (Garnacha), perform especially well here, a recognition that the volcanic clay soils mirror the terroir of Iberia's classic wine regions. Albariño also shows promise among whites. Zinfandel has deep roots in the area, with plantings in riverside vineyard locations dating to the 1920s, while Syrah, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petite Sirah round out the roster. Many growers sell fruit to producers outside the AVA, so wines from this appellation frequently appear under the broader Lodi designation.

• Spanish varietals, Tempranillo and Grenache, are the standout grapes of the appellation
• Zinfandel has been grown in riverside locations since the 1920s
• Small berries with thick skins yield concentrated, structured wines with firm tannins
• Much of the fruit is sold to outside producers; wines often labeled under the broader Lodi AVA

The region takes its name from Thomas Clements, who settled the area in 1857 and in 1882 donated 25 acres to establish a railroad stop on the San Joaquin and Sierra Nevada Railroad. Serious wine grape planting began in the late 1980s and 1990s when growers identified the volcanic clay soils as comparable to those of California's North Coast. Formal recognition as an AVA came on July 17, 2006, making Clements Hills the nation's 159th AVA, California's 100th, and San Joaquin County's 4th appellation.

• Named after Thomas Clements, settler of 1857 and railroad land donor of 1882
• Serious viticulture began in earnest in the late 1980s and 1990s
• Established July 17, 2006 as one of seven nested AVAs within Lodi
• Holds the distinction of being California's 100th AVA at the time of approval