California's Central Valley covers about 20,000 square miles and is drained by the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. Wine grapes are a major crop, and about 75% of California's irrigated land lies here. Lodi became an American Viticultural Area, or AVA, in February 1986. In 2006 it was divided into seven smaller appellations: Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River and Sloughhouse. These differ in soil, climate and terrain. Mokelumne River has deep sandy loam, while Jahant has pinkish Rocklin-Jahant loam. The San Joaquin Valley has hot, dry summers and foggy, rainy winters. Temperatures have risen over the past 70 years. Its growers produce grapes for raisins, the table, wine and juice concentrate. To the east, Sierra Foothills vineyards reach as high as 3,500 feet, with hot days and cool nights. Zinfandel accounts for about half of production and often makes ripe, fruity reds with relatively high alcohol. Other red grapes grown here include Aglianico, Barbera, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.
3 named areas
Inside the region
Explore the wine-growing areas of California · Sierra & Central Valley.
- 01Lodi & North Valley7 producersLodi & North Valley includes Lodi, Capay Valley, Clarksburg and several nested Lodi appellations. Soil is an important feature here, from Mokelumne River's deep sandy loam to Jahant's pinkish Rocklin-Jahant loam.
- 02Sierra FoothillsNo producers listed yetSierra Foothills extends east from the Central Valley toward the Sierra Nevada. It is a hot inland area with cool nights and vineyards as high as 3,500 feet. Red grapes lead, with Zinfandel accounting for about half of production.
- 03South Valley1 producerSouth Valley corresponds geographically to the San Joaquin Valley in the southern Central Valley. Growers work through hot, dry summers and foggy, rainy winters, producing grapes for raisins, table grapes, wine and juice concentrate.