Wine Grapes

Lodi is best known for its full-bodied Old Vine Zinfandel wines. In addition to Zinfandel, Lodi leads all other California wine districts in the production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier. The region’s annual yield of approximately 600,000 tons of grapes is valued at over $300 million, and comprises 20% of California’s total winegrape production – more than Napa and Sonoma Counties combined.

Growers consider soil and water conditions, fertility, and pest pressures to decide economically viable growing practices.

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LODI RULES for Sustainable Winegrowing is California’s original sustainable viticulture program. The LODI RULES Standards are the backbone of the program, and are organized into six Chapters: 1) Business Management, 2) Human Resources Management, 3) Ecosystem Management, 4) Soil Management, 5) Water Management, and 6) Pest Management. Each Standard meets three criteria: first, it is measurable; second, it addresses at least one of the three aspects of sustainability (environmental health, social equity, and economic viability); and third, it is economically feasible to implement.

Bearing Acreage: 95,900

Yield Per Acre: 7.11 Tons / Acre

Total Tons: 682,000 Tons

Gross Total Value: $372,467,000

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Data Source: San Joaquin County Crop Report, 2019. https://www.sjgov.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=33165

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Added Value: Essential Food Production, Essential Worker Employment, Education, Research

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Zinfandel Spaghetti

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Ingredients

1½ pounds rapini (broccoli rabe)

1 pound spaghetti

1 bottle (750 ml) dry red wine, preferably Zinfandel

1 tablespoon sugar

⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons thinly sliced garlic (about 4 cloves)

¼ teaspoon red-pepper flakes

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

½ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese

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Directions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rapini and cook for 3 minutes or until just tender. Transfer the rapini to a baking sheet and let cool. In the same boiling water, cook the spaghetti, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. (The pasta will finish cooking in the Zinfandel.) Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta and set it aside. Return the empty pasta pot to the stove.

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2. Add the wine and sugar to the pasta pot. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until reduced by half, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the pasta and shake to prevent the pasta from sticking. Gently stir with tongs until coated and boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is al dente, about 4 to 5 minutes.

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3. While the pasta cooks in the wine, heat a large, deep skillet over high heat. Add the olive oil, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the garlic until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the rapini, red-pepper flakes, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water, or more if desired, and stir to combine.

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4. Add the rapini mixture to the pasta pot, toss gently and transfer to a platter. Sprinkle with the cheese and serve.

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Recipe Source: https://www.tastingtable.com/cook/recipes/Zinfandel-Spaghetti-Recipe