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).
Historic producers: Michael David Winery, Turley Wine Cellars, Marchelle Wines, Birinchino, Jessie’s Grove Winery, others
A 25-acre own-rooted, dry-farmed vineyard planted in 1886 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).
Historic producers: 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
Peirano Estate Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1890s. Owned by Lance Randolph (Peirano Estate).
Historic producers: Peirano Estate
One of the largest blocks of own-rooted, head-trained vines in the Mokelumne River AVA. The vineyard remains in the hands of descendants of Giacomo Peirano, who first planted the vineyard in the 1890s.
1900
Spenker Ranch Block 4 Vineyard Carignan, planted 1900. Owned by the Spenker Family (Jessie's Grove Winery).
Historic producers: Jessie’s Grove Winery, Sandlands, Marchelle Wines, 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.
Historic producers: Mettler Family Vineyards, Macchia
A less than 8-acre own-rooted, spur-pruned, and dry-farmed vineyard planted in sandy loam on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1900s
Scottsdale Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1900s. Owned by the Mettler and Lerner Families (Harney Lane Vineyards).
Historic producers: Harney Lane Vineyards
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 the Fry Family (Mohr-Fry Ranches).
Historic producers: 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
Charlie Lewis (Centennial) Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1903. Owned by Charlie Lewis.
Historic producers: LangeTwins Family 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 Vineyards).
Historic producers: Harney Lane Vineyards
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 Holman.
Historic producers: Delta Artisan
A Historic Vineyard Society-recognized Flame Tokay vineyard planted in 1906 that was once used for table grape production and is now used to produce Tokay brandy.
1907
Steacy Ranch Zinfandel, planted 1907. Owned by Turley Wine Cellars.
Historic producers: Turley Wine Cellars
A head-trained vineyard planted on St. George rootstock in sandy loam soil, with Grenache, Carignan, and Mission interspersed among the Zinfandel in the Mokelumne River AVA.
1909
Rauser Vineyard Carignan Field Mix, planted 1909. Owned by Jeannie Rauser.
Historic producers: Klinker Brick Winery
An own-rooted Carignan vineyard mixed with Alicante Bouschet and Zinfandel in the Mokelumne River AVA.
1909
Rous Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1909. Owned by Craig Rous.
Historic producers: Ironstone Vineyards, Milliaire Winery
Head-trained vines grafted entirely onto St. George rootstock on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA in one of the sandiest sections of the appellation.
1915
Katushas' Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1910s. Owned by Morgan Twain-Petersen (Bedrock Wine Co.).
Historic producers: Bedrock Wine Co.
Own-rooted vines located in the oxbow bend of the Mokelumne River on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1915
Kirschenmann Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1915. Owned by Tegan Passalacqua (Turley Wine Cellars, Sandlands).
Turley Wine Cellars, Arnot-Roberts, Sandlands, Precedent Wine
A head-trained, dry-farmed, and own-rooted vineyard planted in the oxbow of the Mokelumne River on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA. The soil is sandy loam with underlying chalk and limestone.
1918
Dairy Vineyard (a.k.a. Schmiedt Ranch) Zinfandel, planted 1918. Owned by the Schmiedt Family.
Historic producers: Twisted Roots Winery & 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.
1918
Faith “Lot 13” Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1915. Owned by the Nowak Family.
Historic producers: McCay Cellars
Head trained, own-rooted vines along the oxbow of the Mokelumne River on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA where the deep, Tokay fine sandy loam soil is layered with limestone lens.
1920s
Giorgi Ferrari Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1920s. Owned by Isabel Giorgi Ferrari.
Historic producers: Delicato Family Vineyards
A Prohibition-era planting in sandy loam soil on the far west side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1920s
Marisa Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1920s. Owned by the Felten Family (Klinker Brick Winery).
Historic producers: 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.
1920s
Choral's Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1920s. Owned by the Trettevik, Family (Jeremy Wine Co.).
Historic producers: Jeremy Wine Co.
A 15-acre own-rooted, head-trained vineyard of traditional goblet-shaped vines planted in fine sandy loam soil in the Clements Hills AVA.
1924
Fathom Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1924 and 1990. Owned by the Mettler Family (Mettler Family Vineyards).
Historic producers: Mettler Family Vienayrds, Neyers Vineyards
4 acres of head-trained vines originally planted in 1924, and another 16 acres in 1990. The vineyard block is located on a sandy site on the east side of Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1927
Mule Plane Vineyard Carignan, planted 1927 and 1930. Owned by the Shinn Family.
Historic producers: Birichino, Christopher Cellars, m2 Wines, Precedent Wine, Stonum, others
An own-rooted block located about 1,300 feet from the Mokelumne River in well-draining Tokay sandy loam with yields up to 6 tons/acre. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1928
Stampede Vineyard Zinfandel Field Mix, planted 1928 and 1940s. Owned by Jeff and John Perlegos (Perlegos Family).
Historic producers: ​Fields Family Wines, Haarmeyer, Maïtre de Chai, Perlegos Family Wine Co., Little Trouble Wine Co., others
An own-rooted Zinfandel field mix interspersed with Mission, Mourvèdre, Alicante Bouschet, Grenache, and Flame Tokay, planted in Kingdon and Tokay fine sandy loam soils. The block is laid out in an unusual diamond pattern on 10 x 10 spacing.
1930s
Bonotto Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1930s. Owned by the Bonotto Family.
Historic producers: 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 Carignan Field Mix, planted 1930s. Owned by Gina and Mike Granlees.
Historic producers: Markus Wine Co.
A 1.5-acre own-rooted, head-trained field blend of approximately one-third each Carignan, Petite Sirah, and Alicante Bouschet, planted in the late 1930s.
1930s
Nicolini Ranch Carignan, planted 1930s. Owned by Alfred Nicolini.
Historic producers: Markus Wine Co.
A vineyard block containing original own-rooted vines along with younger vines planted on Freedom rootstock. The vines are vertically cordon-trained and grow up to 6 feet tall on the southwest side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1930
Hatterle Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1930. Owned by Roland Hatterle.
Historic producers: Michael Klouda Wines
A head-trained and spur-pruned vineyard planted in sandy loam on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA.
1933
ZinStar Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1933. Owned by the Lucas Family (The Lucas Winery).
Historic producers: 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 and with LODI RULES.
1934
Norma's Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1934 and 1968/70. Owned by William Ackel.
Historic producers: 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.
Historic producers: Michael David Winery
A 12-acre vertical cordon trained and own-rooted planting on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1937
Fire Mountain Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1937 and 1950s. Owned by Garret Schaefer (Alliance Winery).
Historic producers: Alliance Winery
Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES and recognized by the Historic Vineyard Society.
1938
Manassero Vineyards Carignan Field Mix, planted 1938 and 1962. Owned by Greg Manassero.
Historic producers: McCay Cellars
Three separate blocks consisted of Carignan, Grenache, and Zinfandel on the southwest side of the Mokelumne River AVA. All own-rooted, including the oldest stand of Grenache in the appellation (planted 1938). Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1940s
Mohr-Fry Ranches, West Lane Zinfandel Vineyards, planted 1940s. Owned by the Fry Family (Mohr-Fry Ranches).
Historic producers: Scotto Cellars, Macchia Wines, Oak Farm Vineyards, Joel Gott, Bogle Vineyards, St. Amant Winery, St. Jorge, Drava Wines, others
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 the Paskett Family.
Historic producers: 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 and 1970s. Owned by Keith Watts.
Historic producers: 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.
1941
Westwind Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1941. Owned by the Spenker Family (Jessie’s Grove Winery).
Historic producers: Jessie's Grove Winery, Bogle Vineyards
A vineyard block planted in the heart of the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA and farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1944
Dogtown Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1944. Leased by Turley Wine Cellars.
Historic producers: 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.
1944
Mohr-Fry Ranches, DeVries Road Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1944. Owned by the Fry Family (Mohr-Fry Ranches).
Historic producers: 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.
1948
Viola’s Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1948. Owned by Janet Klapstein.
Historic producers: Delicato Family Vineyards, E. & J. Gallo Winery
A Historic Vineyard Society-recognized Zinfandel vineyard planted in the late 1940s on a sandy bluff overlooking the Mokelumne River in the Clements Hills AVA.
1950s
Nies Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1950s. Owned by Nies Farms.
Historic producers: 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.
Historic producers: 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.
1950s
Brovelli Ranch Zinfandel, planted 1950s. Owned by Stokes Brothers Vineyards.
Historic producers: Bogle Vineyards
One of the few old vine Zinfandel plantings in the Jahant-Lodi AVA. Head-trained, own-rooted vines planted in Bruella sandy loam soil. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES and recognized by the Historic Vineyard Society.
1950s
Grandpa Bill Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1950s. Owned by Stokes Vineyards.
Historic producers: Bogle Vineyards, Silt Wine Co., Revolution Winery
A head-trained vineyard planted on St. George rootstock in Tokay sandy loam on the west side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES and recognized by the Historic Vineyard Society.
1958
Wegat Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1958. Owned by the Maley Family.
Historic producers: m2 Wines, Maley Brothers, Oak Farm Vineyards, Macchia
A 21-acre head-trained, spur-pruned vineyard planted on St. George rootstock in Tokay sandy loam on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1960s
Warmerdam Vineyard, planted 1960s (1964). Owned by the Warmerdam Family.
Historic producers: Warmerdam Family Vineyards, Bogle Family Vineyards
A 20-acre head-trained Zinfandel vineyard planted in 1964 on St. George rootstock in Tokay sandy loam, located within a half mile of the Mokelumne River in the Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1961
Serenity Oak Zinfandel, planted 1961. Owned by John Viss, J & J Vineyards.
Historic producers: 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.
1961
DeLuca Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1961. Owned by Michael David Winery.
Historic producers: Michael David Winery
A 160-acre vineyard of own-rooted, head-trained Zinfandel planted in 1961 on rolling hillsides in the Clements Hills AVA. Located along the north bank of the Mokelumne River, the vineyard is planted in sandy loam soils and is farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
1962
Star Valley Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1962. Owned by JW Moore Vineyards.
Historic producers: 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.
Historic producers: LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards, Trinchero Family
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.
1968
HGM Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1968. Owned by the Mettler Family (Mettler Family Vineyards).
Historic producers: Mettler Family Vineyards
Planted on the east side of the Mokelumne River AVA by Henry George Mettler on property acquired by the Mettler family in 1899. The vineyard is now bottled as a vineyard-designated wine.
1970s
Somers Vineyard Mission, planted 1970s. Farmed by Mike Agnagnos.
Historic producers: Monte Rio, Adroit, Nue Wilde, Pax Wine Cellars, Sabelli-Frisch, Found Wine Co., Buena Vista
A Mission vineyard that is 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.
Historic producers: Oak Farm Vineyards, m2 Wines
Vertical cordon-trained vines planted in a pocket of extremely porous, deep, sandy soil on the east side of Mokelumne River AVA. Farmed in accordance with LODI RULES.
IN MEMORIUM
Old vines are living pieces of agricultural history. While these vineyards have passed from the landscape, their stories, contributions, and legacy remain an important part of Lodi’s winegrowing heritage.
1916
Soucie Vineyard Zinfandel, planted 1916. Owned by Kevin Soucie.
Historic producers: m2 Wines & PRIE Winery
A former own-rooted, true head-trained vineyard planted in ultra-fine DeVries sandy loam on the far west side of the Mokelumne River AVA. Removed from the landscape, this historic site remains part of Lodi’s old vine legacy.