Mokelumne River AVA

The name Mokelumne derives from a Miwok phrase meaning 'the place of the fish net,' referencing the river that flows through the appellation. The city of Lodi itself was originally called Mokelumne until 1874. Cultivation of wine grapes in the region likely began in the 1860s, with the historic Bechthold Vineyard, planted to Cinsaut, dating to 1886. For a century, Flame Tokay was the dominant grape variety grown here. The sub-AVA was formally established on July 17, 2006, becoming the nation's 163rd AVA, California's 103rd, and San Joaquin County's sixth.

• Miwok place name meaning 'the place of the fish net'
• City of Lodi was originally named Mokelumne until 1874
• Bechthold Vineyard, planted to Cinsaut, dates to 1886 and features own-rooted vines
• Flame Tokay dominated the region for approximately 100 years before wine grapes took precedence

Mokelumne River AVA sits at the heart of the Lodi AVA, encompassing the communities of Lodi, Woodbridge, Acampo, and Victor. Elevation ranges from just 5 to 100 feet, sloping gently from northeast to southwest, with areas west of Interstate 5 dipping below sea level toward the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The climate is Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters. Mean annual temperature is 60.0 degrees Fahrenheit and mean annual rainfall is 17.57 inches. Cool Delta breezes funneled through the Carquinez Strait blow more than 70% of the time, making Mokelumne River the coolest growing season among all of Lodi's seven sub-AVAs.

• Elevation ranges from 5 to 100 feet, sloping northeast to southwest
• Mean annual temperature of 60.0 F; mean annual rainfall of 17.57 inches
• Delta breezes from the Carquinez Strait blow more than 70% of the time
• Coolest growing season among Lodi's seven sub-AVAs

The defining characteristic of Mokelumne River AVA is its Tokay Series fine sandy loam, formed from ancient alluvial fan deposits of sand and loam. These deep soils reach up to 90 feet with high organic content and no immediate hardpan layer. The Storie Index rates these as the most vigorous soils among all of Lodi's seven sub-AVAs. The free-draining nature of the sand forces vines to direct energy into berry production rather than foliage, yielding concentrated berries with richer fruit flavors. Crucially, the combination of ample rainfall and strong soil moisture retention means most growers can farm without irrigation. Sandy soils also provide natural resistance to phylloxera, allowing many historic vineyards to remain on own-rooted vines.

• Tokay Series fine sandy loam reaches up to 90 feet deep with no hardpan
• Rated most vigorous soils in the Lodi AVA by the Storie Index
• Free-draining structure drives concentrated berry production over leafy canopy growth
• Sandy soils resist phylloxera, enabling own-rooted plantings of historic vines

Zinfandel is the signature variety and commercial engine of Mokelumne River AVA. The region supplies the vast majority of Lodi's output, and Lodi itself crushes over 40% of California's annual Zinfandel crop. Beyond Zinfandel, producers grow more than 100 varieties commercially, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Barbera, and Cinsaut among reds, plus Chardonnay, Albariño, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling among whites. Wines from this AVA are characterized by gentle, delicate styles with soft palate feel and expressive fruit. Reds are comparatively gentle and flowery with moderate phenolic content, while whites show fragrance and crisp natural acidity.

• Zinfandel is the dominant variety; Lodi crushes over 40% of California's annual Zinfandel crop
• Over 100 grape varieties grown commercially within the AVA
• Red wines are gentle and flowery with moderate phenolic content
• Whites show fragrance and crisp natural acidity from cool Delta-breeze influence

Mokelumne River AVA functions as the historic heart of Lodi winemaking, housing nearly all of the region's wine production facilities. Notable producers include Turley Wine Cellars, Bokisch Vineyards, Harney Lane Winery, Klinker Brick Winery, McCay Cellars, Michael David Winery, Oak Farm Vineyards, Jesse's Grove Winery, Peirano Estate Vineyards, St. Amant, and McManis Family Vineyards. The sub-AVA accounts for over 40% of the total planted acreage within the Lodi AVA and is bordered to the west by Interstate 5, with the Mokelumne River and Cosumnes River both flowing through the appellation.

• Houses nearly all wine production facilities in the broader Lodi region
• Accounts for more than 40% of total planted acreage in the Lodi AVA
• Both the Mokelumne River and Cosumnes River flow through the appellation
• Turley Wine Cellars, Bokisch Vineyards, and Klinker Brick Winery among notable producers