Lodi Eye
LodiEye provides additional information on trending stories / topics published by local media and shared on local social media accounts.
2025 Lodi Crush Report: Preliminary Numbers Are In
The USDA’s Preliminary 2025 California Grape Crush Report, released March 13, 2026, confirms that District 11 crushed 537,752 tons—13.3% below our August moderate forecast of 620,073 tons. Statewide, the crush fell 6.2% to 2,759,202 tons. But the headline numbers only begin to tell the story: a Zinfandel collapse, an explosion of table grapes diverted to crush, a cooler-than-normal growing season that delivered a potentially outstanding vintage, and a widening price gulf between coastal and interior regions are reshaping Lodi’s grape economy in real time.
The State of Sparkling Wine - January 2026
Rack & Riddle's January 2026 closing of its Lodi facility represents a strategic response to fundamental shifts in the sparkling wine market and broader wine industry headwinds. While sparkling wine remains the sole growth segment in an otherwise declining US wine market, the decision reflects regional competitive dynamics, production efficiency imperatives, and Lodi's particular vulnerability to structural challenges facing California's inland wine regions
The History of Zinfandel in Lodi: California's Zinfandel Capital
On October 15, 2025, the Lodi City Council officially proclaimed Lodi as the Zinfandel Capital of the World, acknowledging the region's historic vineyards and its production of a significant share of California's premium Zinfandel. This formal recognition solidifies what the region has long claimed, honoring over 150 years of winemaking heritage centered on America's most distinctive wine grape.
Lodi And District 11 2025 Crush Forecast
The 2025 Lodi grape harvest is projected to deliver excellent quality with slightly higher tonnage than 2024 but continued market and supply challenges remain. Favorable weather forecasts point to mostly ideal sugar (Brix) levels across major varietals, though overall production may be below long-term averages.
Lodi Winegrowing Trends (2020–2024)
The Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA)—California Grape Crush District 11—remains a critical region for American and global wine markets. Over the past five years, the region experienced unprecedented volatility, including historic production declines, vineyard removals, and dramatic varietal redistribution.