2020 West Ridge Lodi, California Zinfandel

The German immigrant found the perfect place to grow things in California’s San Joaquin Valley — specifically, in what is today’s Lodi district. And of the many things he planted, winegrapes fared exceptionally well.

So well, in fact, that many of his original vines are still producing, giving Lodi the distinction of having the largest collection of old-growth vineyards in North America. Lodi offers all the elements needed to grow good winegrapes: heat by day, cooling breezes at night and plenty of water. Add rich alluvium soils, carried down to the valley from the Sierras, and good becomes exceptional.

That’s why West Ridge sources grapes from the Lodi district for its bottling of Zinfandel. The 2020 vintage is rich and robust, exuding plenty of fruit and spice. It’s a wine that deliciously perpetuates the tradition of quality established by Joseph Spenker 16 decades ago.