Growing up in Northern California, I had a front row seat to the amazing wine explosion in the Nappa Valley, and then moving to Oregon in 1993 I got to see the same kind of thing happen with Pinot Noir. The odd thing is that if you ever told me that I’d fall for wine from Lodi, I would have laughed in your face. You see, Lodi is cow country, a relative wasteland located between Stockton and Sacramento. In my almost 22 years of living in the East Bay, I don’t think I ever had a single reason to go to Lodi. No one did.

Then, back in 2006 I got wind that Lodi had received federal designation as an “American Viticulture Area” and recognition for the distinctive quality of its wine. Wait … Wine in Lodi?  Turns out that among the cattle and agriculture in Lodi, there were some pretty well-established old Zinfandel vines, and that Lodi’s position in the central valley of California provided it with the type of weather that results in big, bold, fruity, and spicy wine.

Michael David Winery in Lodi is home to a number of enjoyable and extremely affordable wines.  Their brands include 7 Deadly Zins, Incognito, Earthquake, 6th Sense, and Petite Petit. Most of these wines are in the under $30 category, and the 7 Deadly Zins can often be found under $15.

Here are some of my tasting notes from the wines I tasted from Michael David Winery:

7 Deadly Zins 2009 ($15): It’s hard to think of a more affable Zinfandel: big, bright fruit, great spice, and an easy finish. There isn’t anything subtle, delicate or ‘fine’ about this wine, but that’s the point. It’s the kind of Zin you buy two bottles of, because it’s so easy to go through one.

6th Sense Syrah 2009 ($15): Bright, spicy, and lush with big oak, this Syrah delivers its flavor loudly and is a little assertive without overstepping its bounds. Michael David does for Syrah here what he’s done with Zinfandel, bringing out the great flavors in a bold and bright way that’s extremely easy drinking.

Petite Petit ($20): A signature wine from Michael David that represents both the big flavors and the craftsmanship to balance with more subtle notes. Petite Petit is jammy but not overly sweet, with some nice berry fruit and a soft, dry finish.  There’s an elephant’s worth of flavor here but he walks the tight rope with balance and finesse.

Earthquake Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 ($25): As enamored as I was with the Zins and Syrahs, I just didn’t find the same affection for the Cab. Yes, there’s lush fruit there and some nice oaky tannins on the finish, but the middle needs more. Perhaps with some time things will come together better and develop in the middle, but the great thing about the rest of the Michael David line is how easy and ready to drink they all are. This one just isn’t.

The tasting of these Lodi wines was enough to pique my curiosity and create a desire to explore more of what this unexpectedly interesting region has to offer.