Lodi's Hillside Appellations: Exploring the Clements Hills, Borden Ranch, and Sloughhouse Viticultural Areas

Cobbled, orangy-red clay hillside vineyard typifying Lodi vineyards in the Borden Ranch AVA Continuing our California Wine Month journey through Lodi's wine history, we venture east from the flat, sandy land of the Mokelumne River AVA into dramatically different terrain. Rising into rolling hills of 150 to 590 feet elevation, three distinct sub-appellations showcase how Lodi's expansion over the past 25 years has been driven by the discovery of exceptional hillside terroir. The Clements Hills, Borden Ranch, and Sloughhouse AVAs represent a striking contrast to Lodi's historic core, featuring ancient volcanic clay soils, varied topography, and microclimates that have proven ideal for premium wine production. From the red clay loams that produce intensely colored Cabernet Sauvignon to the cobbled hillsides perfect for Spanish and Rhône varietals, these eastern appellations demonstrate why Lodi needed seven distinct sub-AVAs to fully capture its diverse winemaking potential. In this

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