Lodi Wines on a Winning Streak
Lodi Wines on a Winning Streak: A Year of National and State Recognition
If you need any more proof that Lodi has arrived as one of California's premier wine regions, the past year's competition results should settle the argument. From the biggest North American wine competition to the nation's oldest state fair judging, Lodi-area wineries have been stacking up Double Golds, Best of Class trophies, and Sweepstakes honors at a remarkable rate. Here's a roundup of the recognition our local vintners have earned.
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition — January 2025
Now in its 25th year, the SF Chronicle Wine Competition is the largest judging of North American wines held anywhere, drawing nearly 5,500 entries from more than 950 wineries across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. More than fifty judges evaluated the field. Earning a Double Gold — which requires unanimous agreement among all judges on a panel — is genuinely difficult.
Lodi's biggest moment at the 2025 Chronicle competition was historic. Rippey Family Vineyards entered their very first vintage of Grenache — grapes sourced from the Abba Vineyard on Lodi's Mokelumne River — and it was named one of two Red Sweepstakes Winners, the highest honor the competition awards for red wine. The Sweepstakes designation goes to the wine judges determine is the most impressive among all Best of Class selections. Out of 24 red wines in the sweepstakes round, the Rippey Grenache shared top honors with a Barbera from Calaveras County.
"We are thrilled to win such a prestigious award especially since this was the inaugural release of this particular wine for us," said winery co-owner Tyson Rippey. "This award further demonstrates that Lodi grapes can truly make some of the best wines in the world."
The wine — a light-bodied red with notes of tart cherry, dried red fruit, rhubarb, and spice — retails for $34. Rippey noted that the response from customers and retailers was immediate, and that more Grenache fruit would be contracted from the Abba Vineyard for future vintages.
2025 SF Chronicle — Lodi AVA Double Gold Winners
Beyond the Sweepstakes honor, a strong slate of Lodi producers earned Double Gold medals — meaning every judge at the table agreed these wines deserved gold-level recognition:
- AVIVO Winery — Rosé and Sangiovese
- Bogle Family Vineyards — Zinfandel
- Drava Wines — Montepulciano
- Michael David Winery / Inkblot — Petite Sirah
- Macchia Winery — Serious, Voluptuous, and Superlicious Zinfandels, plus Sangiovese
- McManis Family Vineyards — Zinfandel
- Omega Road Winery — Lodi Rules Certified Mencía
- Rancho Roble Vineyards — Barbera
- Sunce Winery & Vineyard — Mokelumne Glen Vineyards Dornfelder
- Tievoli / Oak Farm Vineyards — Rosé
- Viaggio Estate Winery — Sauvignon Blanc
The diversity of this list is worth pausing on. Zinfandel is Lodi's flagship grape, and seeing Macchia, Bogle, and McManis earn Double Gold recognition is expected. But Mencía? Montepulciano? Dornfelder? These are varieties most California wine regions don't even attempt to grow. Lodi's willingness to plant unusual grapes — and then win with them in blind competition against thousands of wines — is increasingly part of what defines the region.
California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition — 2025
The California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition dates to 1854, making it the oldest wine competition in the United States. This year, Chief Judge Mark Chandler led 39 expert judges evaluating 1,587 wines from 309 of California's top wine brands. The competition is open exclusively to California-grown and produced wines, making it the most prestigious state-level test of quality.
Lodi had one of its strongest State Fair showings in recent memory, with wines earning honors from Double Gold down through Bronze across dozens of producers.
Best of Show and Best of Region
St. Amant Winery took home the Best of Show – Red title — the top red wine award in the entire competition — with their 2023 Barbera from Lodi's Jahant appellation. The wine earned a Double Gold with a score of 99 points and was also named Best of Region – Red. Best of Show is chosen from among all Double Gold and Gold winners across every variety and region in the state. Being named best red wine in the oldest wine competition in America is as high as the honor gets in California.
Oak Farm Vineyards earned a perfect score of 100 points on their 2024 Fiano, taking Best of Region – White and Best of California in that varietal. A 100-point score in a competition of this caliber is extraordinary by any measure. The Oak Farm Fiano is an estate-grown wine from a variety that originates in Campania, in southern Italy — the same region where the Panella family, who own Oak Farm, has roots. Lodi's climate shares enough with coastal southern Italy that Fiano has found a genuine home in the estate's vineyards.
Additional Best of California Honors
Five Lodi wines were singled out for Best of California recognition at the State Fair:
- Inkblot (Michael David Winery) — 2022 Cabernet Franc — Double Gold (99 pts)
- Macchia Winery — 2023 Amorous Sangiovese — Double Gold (99 pts)
- Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards — 2023 Christina's Outlier Rhône Blend (62% Grenache Noir, 16% Syrah, 16% Mourvèdre, 3% Bourboulenc, 3% Clairette Blanche) — Double Gold (98 pts)
- Michael David Winery / Earthquake — 2022 Zinfandel — Double Gold (98 pts)
- Driven Cellars — 2021 Talladego Teroldego (Clements Hills) — Double Gold (99 pts)
Additional Double Gold Winners at the State Fair
- Oak Farm Vineyards — 2024 Rosé Blend (Grenache, Primitivo, Barbera, Syrah, Sangiovese, Mourvèdre) — Double Gold (99 pts)
- Oak Farm Vineyards — 2024 Sauvignon Blanc — Double Gold (99 pts)
- Oak Farm Vineyards — 2021 Petit Verdot — Double Gold (98 pts)
- Freakshow (Michael David Winery) — 2023 Chardonnay — Double Gold (99 pts)
- Freakshow (Michael David Winery) — 2022 Petite Petit (87% Petite Sirah / 13% Petit Verdot) — Double Gold (99 pts)
- Michael David Winery — 2023 Chardonnay — Double Gold (99 pts)
- Peirano Estate Vineyards — 2022 Winemaker's Selection Red Blend (Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranillo) — Double Gold (99 pts)
- m2 Wines — 2023 Vermentino (Mokelumne River) — Double Gold (99 pts)
- Wise Villa Winery — 2023 Albariño (Alta Mesa) — Double Gold (99 pts)
Gold Medal Winners at the State Fair
| Winery | Wine / Varietal | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harney Lane Winery | Tempranillo | 2022 | 95 |
| Harney Lane Winery | Albariño | 2024 | 94 |
| LangeTwins Family Winery | Chardonnay | 2023 | 95 |
| Peltier Green | Pinot Grigio | 2023 | 96 |
| Peltier Green | Chardonnay | 2024 | 94 |
| Klinker Brick Winery | Under The Sea Grenache Blanc | 2024 | 96 |
| Klinker Brick Winery | Farrah Syrah (Mokelumne River) | 2022 | 95 |
| Scotto Family Cellars | Malbec | 2020 | 96 |
| Scotto Family Cellars | Zinfandel | 2020 | 96 |
| Wilson Family Winery | Primitivo | 2021 | 96 |
| Michael David Winery | Rosé Varietal Blend | 2024 | 95 |
| Michael David Winery / Lust | Zinfandel | 2021 | 94 |
| Oak Farm Vineyards | Cabernet Franc | 2021 | 96 |
| Inkblot (Michael David Winery) | Petit Verdot | 2022 | 96 |
| Jessie's Grove Winery | Royal Tee Zinfandel | 2022 | 95 |
| Peltier Winery & Vineyards | Sauvignon Blanc | 2024 | 95 |
| Macchia Winery | Voluptuous Zinfandel | 2023 | 95 |
| Cabana Wines | Zinfandel | 2023 | 95 |
| Mikami Vineyards | Zinfandel Rosé | 2024 | 96 |
Silver and Bronze Medal Winners at the State Fair
The depth of Lodi's performance extended well below the top medals, with a wide array of producers earning Silver and Bronze recognition across dozens of wines and varieties.
Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards
- 2023 Roussanne (Mokelumne River) — Silver 88 pts
- 2024 Jolie Rhône White Blend — Viognier/Grenache Blanc — Silver 88 pts
- 2024 Picpoul Blanc (Mokelumne River) — Silver 88 pts
- 2024 Grenache Blanc (Mokelumne River) — Silver 93 pts
- 2024 Grenache Rosé (Mokelumne River) — Silver 88 pts
Durst Winery & Estate
- 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon — Silver 93 pts
- 2021 Teroldego — Bronze 86 pts
Freakshow / Michael David Winery
- 2022 Zinfandel — Silver 88 pts
- 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon — Silver 88 pts
- 2022 Rhône Red Blend — Syrah/Petite Sirah/Souzao/Tannat — Silver 93 pts
Harney Lane Winery (additional entries beyond Gold medals)
- 2023 Chardonnay — Silver 88 pts
- 2022 Zinfandel — Silver 91 pts
- 2022 Zinfandel — Bronze 87 pts
- 2022 Petite Sirah — Silver 91 pts
- 2024 Henry Ranch Rosé Blend — Zinfandel/Primitivo — Silver 88 pts
- NV Lizzy James Fortified Dessert Wine — Zinfandel (Mokelumne River) — Silver 93 pts
Ivory & Burt
- 2022 Chardonnay — Silver 91 pts
Jessie's Grove Winery (additional entries beyond Gold medals)
- 2024 Chardonnay — Silver 91 pts
- 2022 Carignane — Silver 91 pts
- 2022 Alicante Bouschet — Silver 88 pts
- 2022 Petite Sirah — Bronze 86 pts
- 2024 Carignane Rosé — Bronze 87 pts
Klinker Brick Winery (additional entries beyond Gold medals)
- 2024 Albariño (Mokelumne River) — Bronze 86 pts
- 2021 Zinfandel — Silver 88 pts
- 2022 Old Ghost Zinfandel — Bronze 87 pts
- 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon — Silver 91 pts
- 2021 Brickmason Red Blend — 80% Zinfandel/10% Syrah/5% Petite Sirah/5% Cabernet — Silver 91 pts
- 2022 1850 Degrees Red Blend — 60% Cabernet Sauvignon/30% Petite Sirah/10% Zinfandel — Silver 93 pts
- 2024 Bricks and Roses Rosé — Syrah/Grenache/Carignane/Mourvèdre (Mokelumne River) — Silver 91 pts
LangeTwins Family Winery (additional entries beyond Gold medals)
- 2023 Chenin Blanc (Clarksburg) — Silver 93 pts
m2 Wines
- 2022 Tannat (Mokelumne River) — Silver 91 pts
- 2023 Resilient Red Blend — Cabernet Sauvignon/Zinfandel (Mokelumne River) — Silver 88 pts
- 2020 Petite Sirah (Mokelumne River) — Bronze 87 pts
- 2021 Zinfandel (Mokelumne River) — Bronze 85 pts
Macchia Winery (additional entries beyond Double Gold and Gold medals)
- 2023 Ambiguous Zinfandel — Silver 91 pts
- 2023 Generous Zinfandel — Silver 93 pts
- 2023 Mischievous Zinfandel — Silver 93 pts
- 2023 Oblivious Zinfandel — Silver 88 pts
- 2023 Outrageous Zinfandel — Silver 93 pts
- 2023 Sumptuous Zinfandel — Silver 91 pts
- 2023 Superlicious Zinfandel — Silver 88 pts
- 2023 Rebellious Petite Sirah — Silver 91 pts
- 2023 Meticulous Primitivo — Bronze 87 pts
- 2023 Delicious Barbera — Bronze 87 pts
Michael David Winery (including Earthquake, Rapture, 6th Sense, and Inkblot labels — additional entries beyond Double Gold and Gold medals)
- 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon / Michael David — Silver 91 pts
- 2024 Sauvignon Blanc / Michael David — Silver 91 pts
- 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon / Earthquake — Silver 91 pts
- 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon / Rapture — Silver 88 pts
- 2022 Syrah / 6th Sense — Silver 88 pts
- 2022 Petite Sirah / Inkblot — Silver 93 pts
Mikami Vineyards (additional entries beyond Gold medals)
- 2022 Petite Sirah / Micro Red — Silver 91 pts
- 2024 Rosé of Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre / Micro Other (Mokelumne River) — Bronze 87 pts
OZV (Oak Ridge Winery)
- 2022 Zinfandel — Bronze 86 pts
Peltier Winery & Vineyards (additional entries beyond Gold medals)
- 2021 Zinfandel — Silver 93 pts
- 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon — Silver 93 pts
- 2024 Vermentino — Silver 93 pts
- 2024 Pinot Grigio — Silver 93 pts
- 2024 Sauvignon Blanc / Peltier Green — Silver 91 pts
- 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon / Peltier Green — Silver 88 pts
- 2024 Rosé of Pinot Noir (Clarksburg) — Silver 88 pts
Rescue Dog Wines
- NV Sparkling Brut — Bronze 84 pts
- NV Sparkling Rosé — Bronze 84 pts
- 2023 Rosé of Grenache (Mokelumne River) — Bronze 87 pts
Rippey Family Vineyards
- 2023 Grenache — Bronze 86 pts
RISK / Cabana Wines
- 2024 Viognier / RISK — Silver 91 pts
- 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon / RISK — Silver 88 pts
- 2024 Sauvignon Blanc / RISK — Bronze 87 pts
- 2023 Pinot Grigio / RISK — Bronze 86 pts
- 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Blend / Cabana Wines — Bronze 87 pts
Sand Point Wines
- 2023 Sauvignon Blanc — Silver 91 pts
- 2022 Chardonnay — Silver 88 pts
St. Amant Winery (additional entries beyond Best of Show Barbera)
- 2022 Zinfandel Reserve — Silver 91 pts
- 2023 Petite Sirah — Silver 91 pts
- 2024 Heritage Rosé — Barbera — Silver 90 pts
- 2023 Heritage Red Blend — Zinfandel/Petite Sirah/Alicante Bouschet — Bronze 86 pts
Oak Farm Vineyards (additional entries beyond Double Gold and Best of California wins)
- 2022 Barbera — Silver 91 pts
- 2021 Raffaele Red Blend — 55% Sangiovese/21% Merlot/21% Cabernet Sauvignon/3% Petite Sirah — Silver 88 pts
- 2023 The Corset Rhône Red Blend — Grenache Noir/Malbec/Syrah/Zinfandel — Bronze 87 pts
Wilson Family Winery (additional entries beyond Gold medals)
- 2021 Knotty & Twisted Zinfandel — Silver 91 pts
- 2021 Dark Water Petite Sirah — 75% Petite Sirah/25% Petit Verdot — Bronze 87 pts
- 2021 Man O War Bordeaux Blend — Cabernet/Merlot/Petit Verdot — Bronze 87 pts
Most Awarded Varietals — 2025 California State Fair
The table below ranks Lodi's most-entered varietals by total award count and lists every confirmed medal winner within each category, sorted by score.
- Zinfandel's dominance is striking — 26 entries from 10 different producers, with Macchia alone accounting for 10 of them across their full lineup of named bottlings
- Cabernet Sauvignon showing real depth with Michael David's multiple labels (Earthquake, Rapture, Freakshow, Michael David) each earning separate entries
- Red Blends ranking third reflects the creativity Lodi producers are bringing to multi-varietal wines
🥇 Zinfandel — 26 Awards
| Medal | Winery | Wine Name | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Gold | Earthquake (Michael David) | — | 2022 | 98 |
| Gold | Scotto Family Cellars | — | 2020 | 96 |
| Gold | Jessie's Grove Winery | Royal Tee | 2022 | 95 |
| Gold | Macchia | Voluptuous | 2023 | 95 |
| Gold | Cabana Wines | — | 2023 | 95 |
| Gold | Lust (Michael David) | — | 2021 | 94 |
| Silver | Peltier Winery & Vineyards | — | 2021 | 93 |
| Silver | Macchia | Outrageous | 2023 | 93 |
| Silver | Macchia | Generous | 2023 | 93 |
| Silver | Macchia | Mischievous | 2023 | 93 |
| Silver | St. Amant Winery | Zinfandel Reserve | 2022 | 91 |
| Silver | Harney Lane Winery | — | 2022 | 91 |
| Silver | Macchia | Sumptuous | 2023 | 91 |
| Silver | Macchia | Ambiguous | 2023 | 91 |
| Silver | Wilson Family Winery | Knotty & Twisted | 2021 | 91 |
| Silver | Adkins Family Vineyards | — | 2022 | 91 |
| Silver | McManis Family Vineyards | — | 2023 | 88 |
| Silver | Klinker Brick Winery | — | 2021 | 88 |
| Silver | Freakshow (Michael David) | — | 2022 | 88 |
| Silver | Macchia | Oblivious | 2023 | 88 |
| Silver | Macchia | Superlicious | 2023 | 88 |
| Bronze | Lodi Zin | — | 2022 | 87 |
| Bronze | Harney Lane Winery | — | 2022 | 87 |
| Bronze | Klinker Brick Winery | Old Ghost | 2022 | 87 |
| Bronze | OZV (Oak Ridge) | — | 2022 | 86 |
| Bronze | m2 Wines | — | 2021 | 85 |
🥇 Cabernet Sauvignon — 18 Awards
| Medal | Winery | Wine Name | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | McManis Family Vineyards | — | 2023 | 95 |
| Gold | 1924 | Double Black | 2023 | 94 |
| Silver | Durst Winery & Estate | — | 2021 | 93 |
| Silver | Peltier Winery & Vineyards | — | 2021 | 93 |
| Silver | 1924 | Double Black | 2023 | 93 |
| Silver | Earthquake (Michael David) | — | 2022 | 91 |
| Silver | Burlington Chandler | — | 2020 | 91 |
| Silver | Klinker Brick Winery | — | 2022 | 91 |
| Silver | Michael David Winery | — | 2022 | 91 |
| Silver | Three Finger Jack | — | 2022 | 91 |
| Silver | East Side Crossing | — | 2022 | 91 |
| Silver | RISK | — | 2023 | 88 |
| Silver | Peltier Green | — | 2023 | 88 |
| Silver | Freakshow (Michael David) | — | 2022 | 88 |
| Silver | Ironstone Vineyards | — | 2022 | 88 |
| Silver | Rapture (Michael David) | — | 2022 | 88 |
| Bronze | Burlington Chandler | — | 2021 | 87 |
| Bronze | Cabana Wines | CS/Merlot/Cab Franc blend | 2023 | 87 |
🥇 Red Blends — 13 Awards
| Medal | Winery | Wine Name | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Gold | Peirano Estate Vineyards | Winemaker's Selection (Malbec/Cab Sauv/Merlot/Tempranillo) | 2022 | 99 |
| Double Gold | Freakshow (Michael David) | Petite Petit (87% Petite Sirah/13% Petit Verdot) | 2022 | 99 |
| Silver | Klinker Brick Winery | 1850 Degrees (60% Cab Sauv/30% Petite Sirah/10% Zin) | 2022 | 93 |
| Silver | Freakshow (Michael David) | Rhône Blend (Syrah/Petite Sirah/Souzao/Tannat) | 2022 | 93 |
| Silver | McConnell Estates Winery | Sheepherder's Blend (75% Barbera/25% Tempranillo) | 2022 | 91 |
| Silver | Klinker Brick Winery | Brickmason (80% Zin/10% Syrah/5% Petite Sirah/5% Cab) | 2021 | 91 |
| Silver | m2 Wines | Resilient (Cab Sauvignon/Zinfandel) | 2023 | 88 |
| Silver | Oak Farm Vineyards | Raffaele (55% Sangiovese/21% Merlot/21% Cab Sauv/3% Petite Sirah) | 2021 | 88 |
| Silver | Housley's Century Oak Winery | Field Blend (Cab/Petite Sirah/Zinfandel) | 2021 | 88 |
| Silver | Lodi Red | Don's Blend | 2022 | 88 |
| Bronze | Wilson Family Winery | Man O War (Cab/Merlot/Petit Verdot) | 2021 | 87 |
| Bronze | Oak Farm Vineyards | The Corset (Grenache Noir/Malbec/Syrah/Zinfandel) | 2023 | 87 |
| Bronze | St. Amant Winery | Heritage Red (Zin/Petite Sirah/Alicante Bouschet) | 2023 | 86 |
🥇 Chardonnay — 11 Awards
| Medal | Winery | Wine Name | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Gold | Freakshow (Michael David) | — | 2023 | 99 |
| Double Gold | Michael David Winery | — | 2023 | 99 |
| Gold | LangeTwins Family Winery | — | 2023 | 95 |
| Gold | Peltier Green | — | 2024 | 94 |
| Silver | Ivory & Burt | — | 2022 | 91 |
| Silver | Jessie's Grove Winery | — | 2024 | 91 |
| Silver | Wise Villa Winery | — | 2024 | 91 |
| Silver | Wise Villa Winery | — | 2023 | 88 |
| Silver | Adkins Family Vineyards | — | 2023 | 88 |
| Silver | Harney Lane Winery | — | 2023 | 88 |
| Bronze | Ironstone Vineyards | — | 2023 | 86 |
🥇 Petite Sirah — 10 Awards
| Medal | Winery | Wine Name | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | Inkblot (Michael David) | — | 2022 | 93 |
| Silver | Harney Lane Winery | — | 2022 | 91 |
| Silver | McManis Family Vineyards | — | 2023 | 91 |
| Silver | St. Amant Winery | — | 2023 | 91 |
| Silver | Macchia | Rebellious | 2023 | 91 |
| Silver | Mikami Vineyards | Micro Red | 2022 | 91 |
| Bronze | Wilson Family Winery | Dark Water (75% Petite Sirah/25% Petit Verdot) | 2021 | 87 |
| Bronze | Scotto Family Cellars | — | 2020 | 87 |
| Bronze | m2 Wines | — | 2020 | 87 |
| Bronze | Jessie's Grove Winery | — | 2022 | 86 |
🥇 Rosé — 9 Awards
| Medal | Winery | Wine Name | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Gold | Oak Farm Vineyards | Rosé (Grenache/Primitivo/Barbera/Syrah/Sangiovese/Mourvèdre) | 2024 | 99 |
| Gold | Michael David Winery | Rosé Varietal Blend | 2024 | 95 |
| Silver | Klinker Brick Winery | Bricks and Roses (Syrah/Grenache/Carignane/Mourvèdre) | 2024 | 91 |
| Silver | St. Amant Winery | Heritage Rosé (Barbera) | 2024 | 90 |
| Silver | Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards | Grenache Rosé | 2024 | 88 |
| Silver | Harney Lane Winery | Henry Ranch (Zinfandel/Primitivo) | 2024 | 88 |
| Bronze | Rescue Dog Wines | Rosé of Grenache | 2023 | 87 |
| Bronze | Jessie's Grove Winery | Carignane Rosé | 2024 | 87 |
| Bronze | Mikami Vineyards | Rosé of Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre | 2024 | 87 |
🥇 Sauvignon Blanc — 7 Awards
| Medal | Winery | Wine Name | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Gold | Oak Farm Vineyards | — | 2024 | 99 |
| Gold | Peltier Winery & Vineyards | — | 2024 | 95 |
| Silver | Michael David Winery | — | 2024 | 91 |
| Silver | Peltier Green | — | 2024 | 91 |
| Silver | Sand Point Wines | — | 2023 | 91 |
| Bronze | RISK | — | 2024 | 87 |
| Bronze | Granite Hill | — | 2023 | 87 |
🥇 Barbera — 5 Awards
| Medal | Winery | Wine Name | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Gold – Best of Show | St. Amant Winery | — | 2023 | 99 |
| Silver | McConnell Estates Winery | — | 2022 | 93 |
| Silver | Oak Farm Vineyards | — | 2022 | 91 |
| Bronze | Macchia | Delicious | 2023 | 87 |
| Bronze | Domenico Winery | — | 2020 | 87 |
🥇 Cabernet Franc — 5 Awards
| Medal | Winery | Wine Name | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Gold – Best of CA | Inkblot (Michael David) | — | 2022 | 99 |
| Gold | Oak Farm Vineyards | — | 2021 | 96 |
| Gold | Ironstone Vineyards | — | 2022 | 94 |
| Silver | Adkins Family Vineyards | — | 2022 | 93 |
| Gold | Adkins Family Vineyards | — | 2022 | 93 |
🥇 Albariño — 4 Awards
| Medal | Winery | Wine Name | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Gold | Wise Villa Winery | — | 2023 | 99 |
| Gold | Harney Lane Winery | — | 2024 | 94 |
| Silver | Wise Villa Winery | — | 2024 | 91 |
| Bronze | Klinker Brick Winery | — | 2024 | 86 |
What It All Means for Lodi
The breadth of these results — dozens of wineries, a Sweepstakes win at the country's largest North American competition, a Best of Show Red and a perfect 100-point score at the nation's oldest wine competition — reflects something that has been building in Lodi wine country for years. A few themes stand out:
First-time wines winning the biggest prizes. Rippey Family's Grenache had never been released before this vintage, and it went straight to a Red Sweepstakes at the Chronicle. Oak Farm's Fiano — an obscure southern Italian grape grown on a Lodi estate — pulled a perfect score at the State Fair. These aren't accidents; they reflect how well Lodi's Mediterranean climate suits varieties that have historically been overlooked here.
Unusual varieties keep winning. Mencía, Dornfelder, Montepulciano, Fiano, Teroldego, Torrontés, Bourboulenc — not varieties you'll find at most California wineries. Lodi growers have planted them, tended them through Delta-breeze-cooled summers, and are now beating the full field of California and North American competition with them.
Perennial powerhouses remain dominant. Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Barbera, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese — Lodi's core grapes continue to perform at the highest level. Macchia's multiple Double Golds in Zinfandel, Michael David's Inkblot and Earthquake wines, and St. Amant's Best of Show Barbera all confirm that the region's traditional strengths are intact.
Oak Farm Vineyards had a remarkable year. One winery earning Best of Region White, Best of California, a perfect 100-point Fiano, and multiple additional Double Golds across its Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc, and Petit Verdot is a performance that would stand out in any wine region in the state.
Acquiesce continues to make the case for Lodi whites. Sue Tipton's estate-grown Rhône whites and rosés have been winning in competition for years. The 2025 State Fair Best of California on the Christina's Outlier blend is the latest chapter in a long, consistent winning streak.
If you haven't made your way out to Lodi wine country lately, this seems like the year to go.
Sources & Further Reading
- SF Chronicle Wine Competition — Full 2025 Medal Results (winejudging.com)
- 2025 California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition — Searchable Database
- Award Winning Lodi Wines from the 2025 California State Fair — Visit Lodi
- Lodi Winegrape Commission — lodiwine.com
- Visit Lodi — visitlodi.com
- Rippey Family Vineyards' rapturous red a victory for Lodi — Lodi News