The ‘Zinfandel Capital Of The World’ Is 1.5 Hours From San Francisco — Named One Of The ‘Best Small Towns In CA’

Just south of Sacramento, the old winegrowing town of Lodi, California is nicknamed the “Zinfandel Capital of the World” for its huge share of premium Zinfandel grapes. The city positions itself as a more relaxed, less expensive alternative to nearby Napa or Sonoma, while still offering some of the finest wine tourism in California. A recent article by *Travel + Leisure* named Lodi one of the “best small towns in California,” according to locals. Famed chef Charlie Palmer was quoted as saying that Lodi is like “Healdsburg 20 years ago.” Have you ever made the drive out to see Lodi for yourself? Old vines and zinfandel ----------------------- While Lodi’s self-proclaimed “Zinfandel Capital of the World” nickname has certainly stuck, some of its mystique comes from the region’s old-vine Zinfandel plantings. Zinfandel grapes were first planted here in the late 19th century , and some of the original plants survived Prohibition at their location on the Mokelumne River. A few wineries still produce old-vine Zinfandel, including Mettler Family Vineyards, Harney Lane and Klinker Brick. Lodi has one of California’s highest concentrations of Zinfandel, often cited at around 30-40% of California’s crop. And while Zinfandel is no doubt a flagship, Lodi produces over 20% of California’s total wine grapes , with over 100 varieties to boot. Things to do in Lodi -------------------- Downtown Lodi is anchored by a 1907 archway , which leads to a walkable street of boutiques, tasting rooms, cafés, and farm‐to‐table restaurants. Local vineyard roads are popular among cyclists, and Lodi Lake and the Mokelumne River offer scenic paddling and bird-watching opportunities. Consider timing your visit with the biannual Lodi Street Faire in May and October, or the long-running **Lodi Grape Festival** in September. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Lodi by car from San Francisco via Highway 12. Source: https://secretsanfrancisco.com/lodi-california-zinfandel-capital-of-the-world/