LODI OLD VINE
VINEYARDS
Old, untrellised vineyards of many of Lodi’s original varieties still exist in the region today, most of them planted on their own rootstocks around the City of Lodi in the historic Mokelumne River AVA. Here are a sampling of those vineyards.
1886
Bechthold Vineyard Cinsault, planted 1886. Owned by the Spenker Family, Jessie’s Grove Winery.
Michael David Winery, Turley Wine Cellars, Marchelle, McCay Cellars, Fields Family Wines, Onesta, Sandlands, Birinchino, Two Shepards, Ser, Monte Rio, Jessie’s Grove Winery
The Lodi appellation's oldest vineyard is a 25-acre own-rooted, dry-farmed vineyard planted in deep sandy loam on 10 x 10 spacing in the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1889
Royal Tee Vineyard Zinfandel Field Mix, planted 1889. Owned by the Spenker Family, Jessie’s Grove Winery
Jessie’s Grove Winery, Marchelle, Monte Rio
A 4.95-acre Zinfandel vineyard mixed with Carignan (10.5%), Tokay (4%), Mission (5%), and Black Prince (0.5%) planted in fine sandy loam soil on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1890s
Pierano Estate Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1890s. Owned by Lance Randolph, Peirano Estate.
Pierano Estate
One of the largest blocks of own-rooted head-trained vines in the Mokelumne River AVA. It is still owned by descendants of Giacomo Peirano, the Italian immigrant who first planted this vineyard.
1900
Spenker Ranch Block 4 Vineyard Carignan, planted 1900. Owned by the Spenker Family, Jessie’s Grove Winery.
Jessie’s Grove Winery, Sandlands, Markus Wine Co., precedent Wine
A head-trained vineyard planted in sandy loam on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA not far from the Mokelumne River.
1900s
Noma Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1900s. Owned by Leland Noma.
Mettler Family Vineyards, Macchia
A 2.5-acre head-trained, own-rooted vineyard planted on the west side of the Mokelumne River in the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1900s
Scottsdale Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1900s. Owned by the Mettler and Lerner Families, Harney Lane Winery.
Harney Lane Winery
A 2.5-acre head-trained, own-rooted vineyard planted on the west side of the Mokelumne River in the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1901
Marian’s Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1901. Owned by Jerry and Bruce Fry, Mohr-Fry Ranches.
St.Amant Winery
An 8.3-acre own-rooted vineyard planted in 1901 in deep, well-draining sandy loam with typical yields less than 2 tons/acre. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1903
Lewis (Centennial) Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1903. Owned by Charlie Lewis.
LangeTwins Winery & Vineyards
A goblet-trained, spur-pruned vineyard block planted in 1903 in well-draining, beach-like, alluvial soils. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1904
Lizzy James Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1904. Owned by the Mettler and Lerner Families, Harney Lane Winery.
Harney Lane Winery
A 20-acre head-trained vineyard grafted over from Black Prince and planted in deep, porous Tokay beach-like sandy loam soil on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1906
Old School Vineyard Flame Tokay, planted 1906. Owned by Cheryl Homan.
Delta Artisan
Historic Vineyard Society certified vineyard once used for table grape production (when contracted to E. & J. Gallo), now utilized to produce a Tokay Brandy.
1907
Steacy Ranch Zinfandel, planted 1907. Owned by Turley Wine Cellars.
Turley Wine Cellars
A vineyard planted on St. George rootstock in sandy loam soil and interspersed with Grenache, Carignan, and Mission in the Mokelumne River AVA.
1909
Rauser Vineyard Carignan Field Mix, planted 1909. Owned by Steve Felten, Klinker Brick Winery.
Klinker Brick Winery McCay Cellars
An own-rooted Carignan vineyard mixed with Alicante Bouschet and Zinfandel planted in the oxbow of the Mokelumne River on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1909
Rous Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1909. Owned by Craig Rous.
Ironstone Vineyards, Macchia, McCay Cellars, Milliaire Winery
A head-trained vineyard grafted entirely onto St. George rootstock on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA with yields of 2.5 tons per acre.
1910s
Katusha’s Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1910s. Owned by Morgan Twain-Petersen, Bedrock Wine Co.
Bedrock Wine Co.
An own-rooted vineyard planted in the oxbow of the Mokelumne River in Tokay fine sandy loam in the Mokelumne River AVA.
1915
Faith “Lot 13” Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1915. Owned by Nowak Family.
McCay Cellars
A head-trained 10-acre vineyard planted on its own rootstocks in an oxbow of the Mokelumne River on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA in fine sandy loam soils with undertones of limestone.
1915
Kirschenmann Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1915. Owned by Tegan Passalacqua, Turley Wine Cellars and Sandlands.
Turley Wine Cellars, Carlyle Winery, Arnot-Roberts, Bedrock Wine Co., Newsome Harlow Wines, Sandlands, Precedent Wine
A head-trained, dry-farmed, own-rooted vineyard planted in the oxbow of the Mokelumne River on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA in sandy loam with underlaying chalk and limestone.
1916
Soucie Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1916. Owned by Kevin Soucie.
m2 Wines, Michael David Winery, PRIE Winery
An own-rooted, head-trained vineyard planted in DeVries sandy loam on the far west side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1918
Dairy Vineyard (a.k.a. Schmiedt Ranch) Zinfandel, planted 1918. Owned by the Schmiedt Family.
Twisted Roots Winery, Macchia, Turley Wine Cellars
A 4-acre head-trained, own-rooted vineyard planted in sandy loam planted in the oxbow of the Mokelumne River on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1920s
Süess Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1920s. Owned by Markus Bokisch, Bokisch Vineyards.
Bokisch Vineyards, Jeremy Wine Co., Markus Wine Co.
A 15-acre own-rooted, head-trained vineyard of traditional, goblet-shaped vines planted in the Clements Hills AVA in fine talcum powder-like sandy loam soil.
1920s
Giorgi Ferrari Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1920s. Owned by Isabel Giorgi Ferrari.
Delicato Family Vineyards
A planting in sandy loam soil on the far west side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1920s
Marisa Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1920s. Owned by Steve Felten, Klinker Brick Winery.
Klinker Brick Winery
A mix of own-rooted and grafted Tokay vines planted in in sandy loam soil on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1927
Mule Plane Vineyard Carignan, planted 1927 and 1930. Owned by Bill and John Shinn.
Birichino, Bokisch Vineyards, Christopher Cellars, m2 Wines, Precedent Wine, Stonum
An own-rooted planting 1300 feet from the Mokelumne River in well-draining Tokay sandy loam with typical yields of 6 tons/acre. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1928
Stampede Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1928. Owned by Jeff and John Perlegos.
​Fields Family Wines, Haarmeyer, Maïtre de Chai, Perlegos Family Wine Co., Little Trouble Wine Co., Christopher Cellars
An own-rooted vineyard dotted with Mourvèdre and Mission in Kingdon and Tokay fine sandy loams and laid out in an unusual diamond pattern on 10 x 10 spacing.
1930
Hatterle Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1930. Owned by Roland Hatterle.
Michael Klouda Wines
A head-trained and spur-pruned vineyard planted in sandy loam on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1930s
Bonotto Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1930s. Owned by the Bonotto Family.
McCay Cellars
An own-rooted, spur-pruned vineyard with vines trained low to the ground (2 to 3-ft height) on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1930s
Church Block Vineyard, planted 1930s. Owned by Gina and Mike Granlees.
Markus Wine Co.
An own-rooted vineyard planted in sandy loam soil on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA. A field blend of 1/3 Petite Sirah, 1/3 Carignan, and 1/3 Alicante Bouschet.
1933
Zinstar Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1933. Owned by David and Heather Pyle Lucas, The Lucas Winery.
The Lucas Winery
A 3.5-acre head-trained, own-rooted vineyard planted in sandy loam soil not far from the Mokelumne River on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with CCOF.
1934
Norma's Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1934 and 1968/70. Owned by William Ackel.
Bedrock Wine Co., Ravenswood Winery
A 16-acre vineyard composed of three separate blocks planted in deep sandy loam soil on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1936
Bishofberger Vineyard Carignan, planted 1936. Owned by Bob Bishofberger.
Michael David Winery
A 12-acre own-rooted vineyard planted in deep sandy loam soil on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1940s
Mohr-Fry Ranches, West Lane Zinfandel Vineyards, planted 1940s. Owned by Jerry and Bruce Fry.
Scotto Cellars, Macchia Wines, Oak Farm Vineyards, Joel Gott, Bogle Vineyards, Eola Hills, Chouinard, St. Amant Winery, St. Jorge, Drava Wines
A collection of seven own-rooted vineyard blocks planted on 10 x 10 spacing to sandy loam soils on the southwest side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1940s
Perley Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1940s and 1950s. Owned by Paskett Family.
Paskett Winery, Prisoner Wine Co
A 13-acre head-trained vineyard planted in sandy loam soil on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1940s
Trulux Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1940s. Owned by Keith Watts.
McCay Cellars, Watts Winery, Michael David Winery, Baron Herzog
A 30-acre head-trained vineyard on St. George rootstock planted on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1944
Dogtown Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1944. Leased by Turley Wine Cellars.
Turley Wine Cellars
A head-trained, own-rooted vineyard planted on a sloping site in volcanic Redding clay series soils mixed with sand in the Clements Hills AVA.
1947
Mohr-Fry Ranches, DeVries Road Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1947. Owned by Jerry and Bruce Fry.
St.Amant Winery, Oak Farm Vineyards, Scotto Cellars, Macchia Wines
A head-trained, own-rooted vineyard planted on 9 x 9 spacing in sandy loam soil on the northwest side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1950s
Nies Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1950s. Owned by Nies Farms.
Bear Creek Winery
A 12-acre, head-trained vineyard planted on 10 x 10 spacing in sandy loam soil on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1950s
Schulenburg Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1950s. Owned by Bob Schulenburg.
Michael David Winery
A 6.5-acre, head-trained vineyard planted on St. George rootstock on 9 x 9 spacing in sandy loam soil on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1958
Wegat Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1958. Owned by the Maley Family.
m2 Wines, Maley Brothers, Oak Farm Vineyards, Macchia, Drava Wines
A 21-acre head-trained, spur-pruned vineyard planted on St. George rootstock in sandy loam soils on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1961
Serenity Oak Zinfandel, planted 1961. Owned by John Viss, J & J Vineyards.
Klinker Brick Winery, Cline Cellars
A 14-acre head-trained vineyard planted on 11 x 7 spacing in sandy loam soils on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1962
Star Valley Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1962. Owned by JW Moore Vineyards.
Comartin Cellars, Alliance Winery
An own-rooted vineyard planted in a mixture of DeVries and Tokay fine sandy loams on 10 x 10 spacing. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1963
Stubborn Scot Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1963. Owned by Charlie Starr, Jr.
LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards, Trinchero Family
An own-rooted vineyard planted on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1968
HGM Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1968. Owned by Mettler Family Vineyards.
Mettler Family Vineyards
Planted on east side of Mokelumne River AVA by the late Henry George Mettler on property originally acquired by family in 1899; longtime backbone of Mettler Family "Epicenter" Zinfandel, now bottled as vineyard-designate wine by the family.
1970s
Somers Vineyard Mission, planted 1970s. Farmed by Mike Agnagnos.
Monte Rio, Adroit, Nue Wilde, Pax Wine Cellars, Sabelli-Frisch, Found Wine Co., Buena Vista
Vineyard devoted entirely to Mission on high vigor, low-lying flat alongside the Mokelumne River; trained as spur pruned vertical cordon vines topping 6-feet in height.
1980s
Cemetery Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1980s. Owned by Aaron Shinn.
Oak Farm Vineyards, m2 Wines
LODI RULES sustainably farmed vertical cordon trained vines planted in pocket of extremely porous, deep, sandy soil on east side of Mokelumne River AVA.